Troubling political matrix

The GOP has alienated the candidacy of Juan N. Babauta by sticking to an earlier endorsement of the IT tandem. It was hoping he fades into history. He didn’t. In fact, he came roaring back chiming, “Surprise, surprise, surprise!” An inclusive posture would have resolved the issue amicably. Non-inclusion springs into a heavy wedge issue toying with brinkmanship.

Such move instantly turns “amicably” into big time disarrangement of the word “unity.” Wow!

JNB decided to leave the pasture, flinging wide open the gate as his flock paraded right behind him. The other bull is deep in the jungle watching the exodus of his nemesis and flock.

Is this a plus for the incumbent or more of a likely demise? Or is it even a plus for the BT tandem? You do the math; it’s easy to discern the consequential devastation of a divided GOP. It’s a troubling matrix in political calculations.

You quiz what’s JNB’s single most vital accomplishment while he was in charge. His famous and misguided chime, “The economy is pretty darn good” is about the only memorable relic that became fodder for comedy or mouthwash everywhere. That poor performance record doesn’t light up the dark tunnel of revenues heading Deep South today. We’ve devolved from $256 million annually to $140 million today. Fitial and Inos did nothing but push bankruptcy further south.

The economy started crashing under Babauta’s term, a derailment impeached ex-governor Benigno Fitial and elevated (not elected) Gov. Eulogio Inos have refined into complete insolvency. Said a frustrated villager, “Anything other than rock bottom is better.” It seems a representative view everywhere.

Thus, the GOP must contend with dangerously swaying pillars at the base. Crowding itself with “has-been” candidates for other offices isn’t helping any. Admirable though the BT position against the Cash-It-Now (casino) law. It shows its belief in the normal democratic process. The other gubernatorial tandems must necessarily deal with contentious issues as the barometric needle inches upwards.

The Quad: Inos, Hofschneider, Babauta, and Deleon Guerrero must be asked to name a single major accomplishment undertaken on an individual basis that has in fact moved the quality of life for the multitude. The election process should be a matter of choice and not the forum to replay the same tired echo of exhausted rhetoric. The grand negligence has crash-landed most households in misery land today.

Is NMI brain dead?

When you’re equipped with a sense of humility (spiritual wellbeing), it’s hard venturing head strong into the nether lands of issues that are perfect recipes for the destruction of your people. But there’s one prominent issue of destruction already placed against our voice.

A sense of responsibility forces one to pace the issue, weigh it, analyze and re-analyze it once more in consultation with real experts, including listening to the sentiments of the very people you represent. This exercise allows you to draw your own “educated” view on any and all issues of substance.

Aren’t policymakers capable of conceptualizing major policy matters so they understand with clarity the unintended consequences of quick fixes? Is it hard reflecting that through your shortsighted imposition you’ve literally driven everything into the ditch of bankruptcy? It’s called “unintended consequences,” people! It’s a humiliating display of shortsightedness!

You’ve also failed our people with their power bills given your obvious lack of vision to institute policy decisions that would begin the process of placing a definitive policy on alternative energy. You only wanted Alan Fletcher’s head, ignoring that your head should equally be placed on the same plate for public scrutiny and disposition. As though disruptive interference isn’t sufficient, you again wanted to toy with CPUC’s purview? Half-cocked policies are just that—half-cocked!

Essence of mindfulness

You sought for their vote of confidence a year ago. You were handed that trust to work the clock to improve their lot. Did you do “due diligence” on this score?

Did it ever occur to you why the people took the casino issue from you (the Legislature) and shot it down twice in a referendum? With filthy arrogance you tiptoed and approve it by excluding their rights of participation.

By what right did you engage in the perversion of the democratic process? Isn’t the community you represent endowed with fully poised members who understand, far and wide, the evil side of the casino industry? Is the shortsighted policy that ruins economic opportunities for Tinian and Rota the crown jewel of your obvious lack of perception and clarity on a matter with far-reaching effects?

Banner stories abound of policymakers succumbing to the whimsical interests of ghostly investors in Hong Kong and China. What about the long-term interest of the people you represent in our governmental institutions? Isn’t this an issue that calls for resolute mindfulness?

Planning our future

The Saipan casino law requires a thorough and resolute planning process. For instance, how do we strike a balance accommodating the proposed 2,000-room hotel (requiring a huge piece of public land) versus the need of over 5,000 Saipan residential homestead applicants? Must the need of the latter be placed on the back burner to make way for casino?

Shouldn’t this casino include collateral issues such as expansion of the international airport and seaport, earmarking millions of dollars for water, power, sewer, and roads to prepare the venue? How does this plan affect health, education and public safety, and the wellbeing of our community? Appalling the new forte of “shoot first, ask questions later.” Haven’t done due diligence, have we folks?

John DelRosario Jr. is a former publisher of the Saipan Tribune and a former secretary of the Department of Public Lands.