Thunder from I Deni

When the elected elite sinks into complacency it triggers the simultaneous loss of the quality of life of ordinary folks in the villages. Poor performance inevitably turns into loss of trust from “we the people” in the process.

Such is the dizzying riddle begun by the absence of a public mandate from the outset. It’s a difficult task second-guessing political fate in the sea of self-concocted uncertainty, exacerbated by the lack of public enthusiasm.

Next would there be political fallout among local GOP rhinos in the recent decision by Raffy Torres who asked for the courtesy resignation of his Cabinet. The pile of entrapment mounts as he retreats to figure out his game plan. Is his midstream realignment in tatters?

With the gubernatorial race next year, would he be able to improve family income now at its lowest point? It’s a pipe dream, if not a PR nightmare on both fronts—GOP unity and meeting the needs of the working class! Hmmm! A strange miscalculation consistently ruining political footing!

Cadillac lifestyle: The netherland of incoherence allows complacency to take root. By then, it’s a bit too late to realign missed opportunities to help the working class. Yep! Their Cadillac lifestyle comes first!

The agenda of self-perpetuation is supported by the clever use of “cultural reservation”—a political trap concocted by well-paid indigenous advocates—to keep voters in line with their mission. Keep our people poor so they consistently follow hollow instructions!

In other words, they’d use terms like “indigenous” to trigger the racist tendencies of Chamorros. This slave-like tool ensures that they keep their Cadillac lifestyle by having the innocent rally behind their empty spouts! Am I making sense and isn’t it time that voters wake up for once in your lifetime?

I know my culture and don’t need a bunch of confused advocates garbling the issue. Could you explain to us what’s the Chamorro cultural identity? If you succeed, please share your views so we learn from your timeless wisdom.

While you struggle to answer the query, here are a few relevant issues you might wish to review with a sense of integrity.

Resetting buttons: Is there a plan anywhere in government that sets forth an economic blueprint detailing reviving investments, therefore, economic prosperity? Were you an active and proactive part of the plan to ensure indigenous interest and future wellbeing? Or is it the usual “Not yet, already?”

What’s the financial posture of the NMI? Factoring in long-term debts, isn’t the NMI basically bankrupt at this juncture? If you disagree, how come it hasn’t paid off its utility debts of some $30 million? Is the financial uncertainty a plus for the indigenous people?

Has anything been done to urge the more than 3,000 indigenous families who evacuated the NMI nearly a decade ago to return home? Or is it too farfetched an issue? Ever probed why our indigenous folks evacuated?

After 38 years of so-called self-government we would have learned to reduce government expenses to reasonable level. But politicians have feasted on allowing for a bloated government. It remains the largest employer here and a fiscal nightmare that has gone out of control. We now have nearly 4,000 or more employees on the payroll. Is this good for the indigenous people?

Assessment: Are the so-called economic “improvements” plan-based or more like “temperamental” offshoots? If not, then it’s all ad hoc as though the quality of life among our people in the villages really doesn’t matter. No wonder the juvenile decision to raise their salaries by a whopping 80 percent! Why did you allow politicians to give the indigenous people that perfect screw?

Get real: What have you done in stride to improve the quality of instructions in the education of more than 10,000 indigenous students?

Isn’t the capacity of the 60-bed hospital now dwarfed by the increase in the local population? Did you lift a finger on this mind-bending negligence?

Have you sought from management commissioning studies to identify the culprit of pancreatic dysfunction rather prevalent among the indigenous people? What’s your long-term view of the overall healthcare system? Does it include healthy living among the indigenous people? Or are these issues you’ve so conveniently ignored in years past a bit redundant as to be dazed once more?

Casino binge: More casinos are being built between Manila, Vietnam, Macau and South Korea into “integrated resorts.” The resorts are built to lure non-gamblers with big-time entertainment and family-oriented activities.

Meanwhile, the chairman of Vegas Sands Plaza, Mr. Sheldon Adelson, is headed to Japan shortly to encourage the country to use his Marina Base Sands in Singapore as a model integrated resort. Lest we forget, Japan has far superior economic infrastructure to build a highly successful casino industry.

Lightning shifts: Trump stops at nothing to institute change from laws that derail economic growth to immigration issues to secure the national border.

The China-U.S. geopolitical tension is a serious issue to watch with extra caution. The U.S. pulling out of the Trans Pacific Partnership pact could easily send China’s economy off kilter. When this happens, the middle class dissolves instantly. This is the group where the NMI secures its visitors.

Billions for IPI: Two angels have introduced legislation to tax BSI an additional 5 percent on income it rakes in.

“January’s unaudited VIP gambling rolling chip volume rose 147 percent year-on-year to an all-time monthly high at Imperial Pacific International Holdings Ltd.’s temporary casino on the Pacific island of Saipan,” according to GGR.

“Such volume amounted to nearly $5.59 billion,” according to a Thursday filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In January 2016, VIP rolling chip volume at the Saipan venue—called Best Sunshine Live—was $2.26 billion.

“In calendar year 2016, Imperial Pacific’s reported unaudited VIP rolling chip turnover was US$32.37 billion.” At 5 percent, the NMI could get some $1.6-plus billion!