Vote for a new Saipan

I think a majority of voters would much rather see the headlines of Saipan being a new destination for those who want to visit an island paradise to enjoy the beaches and historic sites, with the freedom to relax and smoke pot, not to come and gamble. I read where one person seems to think the new Saipan casino law is here to stay as the solution and that we will all be rich from it but I beg to remind this person of the following facts:

The governor and the Legislature chose to kill the rights of the people to vote on the casino based on the assumption that people want a casino. Since when do Democratic or Republic governments of, for, and by the people make decisions based on assumptions—no principles, no values, no respect, no ethics and still not the solution? FYI casino supporters, our leaders need to learn it is the people’s government and hopefully the people will send that message to those incumbent leaders that we the people run this, not you! You’re fired!

The governor has admitted the casino is not the complete answer so the argument for the casino being the solution is with the governor, not the people, because most of us already know it is not the complete answer—just a payday for retirees. The governor killed the ferry service with nothing more than a lip-service sound bite when he said, “We are not ready for this yet.” The governor also tried to kill the effort to legalize marijuana with the same sound bite but it is not working this time. The people have gotten wise and know hundreds of millions and even billions are at stake when compared to the $30 million band-aid!

The Saipan casino is not here to stay until the people say it is here to say! The governor, the Legislature, the consultants, and the Lottery Commission do not run our government. So investors should move with extreme caution as the present casino law can just as easily be changed by the next Legislature in exchange for a pot legalization law that will make the revenues from the casino look like a first grade student’s lunch money!

First it was poker machines that were never supposed to be in the villages and now it’s a casino that will make us all rich—who do they think they are fooling? Why are they so afraid to let their own people voice their opinion is the question every voter should be asking even if you are for the casino. Supporting something that kills the voice of the people is the most disrespectful thing a government can do to its people; it’s called communism! We now know the governor even organized the retirees against the rest of us and thinks we are gullible and stupid enough to vote for him. Heck, retirees didn’t even have free will—just herded like cattle to a feeding bin, not knowing they are going to be slaughtered in November. The people are smarter than Inos may think and the GOP is going to be shocked in November just like they were kicked out in the last election because many retirees are not voting for Inos—they just wanted their money and that’s for true!

I feel very confident in saying the people will want a new Saipan over a new casino law in November, especially when we the people have the potential to fix our government in November and all of our financial challenges in the first year of pot legalization. FYI casino leaders and retirees, the fat lady is Ms. Johnny Mae Public and she has not sung one note yet! See you in November after the people’s concert in the voting booth!

Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman, Saipan