LIFE is not a gamble — these are the words of wisdom from an 8th grader which shows even our youngest children are aware and appealing to the adults to vote NO because of the adversities (criminal & social) caused by casinos. There is a saying in my culture about people taking desperate measures and doing all kinds of things to find a way to make some money — “people who are desperately searching for a gold mine are often standing right on top of it” — meaning people who are desperate will resort to all kinds of things even crime to get rich when all they had to do was invest in their own self worth. We are in the same position now with our desire for Economic prosperity. The claims that casinos are our ONLY hope are “by design” to put you in a state of fear which subliminally allows for you to become prey to any offer that comes along like gambling — you probably know it as “fear tactics.” Research has proven that Casino industries only develop as a “direct result of the people giving up all hope for their economic survival.” We must KEEP HOPE ALIVE for OUR CHILDREN’s sake by voting NO.
The good part is there is plenty of hope to go around — we just need to do the work and invest in our self. I have a B A in economic and I have personally given numerous suggestions that could help our economy, Mr. Stewart who is also an economist has given numerous suggestion and there are numerous people in the community have been telling us and our leaders the MANY options we have to Casinos for several years in the paper — but the powers that have NOT been good listeners. We don’t have to gamble with our children’s future — there are numerous avenues for us to pursue for economic prosperity.
Our leaders and potential leaders are silent now, which means it is time for the PEOPLE to speak up while we have their ear. It won’t come again for another TWO years which is why we must vote NO and push for a New Direction NOW when it counts. There has been a plethora of letters to the news with all kinds of ideas as to what we can do to improve our economy and power situation opposed to creating a gambling den of Saipan. Life should not be a gamble when we can improve our economy with “sure things” that won’t bring all the additional adversity to the social fiber of the CNMI that comes with gambling.
As for Mr. FA, if you are even a person, who obviously has no respect for me or my wife, I would like to offer prayers and the following free education: I don’t whom the “we” is he speaks for but it is certainly not the people I know and see who are constantly thanking me an urging me on. Your analysis of my letters are only your personal opinion that IS NOT shared by a lot of people — sorry you disagree but get over it. You may think my views are distorted but I may have one of the best perspectives having lived in both the CNMI and on the mainland.
In a sense, I’ve studied and even lived in an economic environment that most of the people in the CNMI are trying to achieve yet my suggestions like those of the Feds are considered as “outsiders trying to TELL us what to do” when we are really just offering “CONSTRUCTIVE CRITISIM” but our leaders take it personal instead of appreciating the value. But there is a saying that describes your inability to appreciate my efforts to help and to comprehend my letters — “you can’t see the forest for the trees” which is a phenomena that is even affecting our leadership.
I have full faith in the indigenous people as a whole, it’s the government I’m really worried about and whom everyone else with GOOD common sense should be worried about. It was the government that has “misled” the people and gotten us in this situation — not me. I’m merely offering alternatives to get us OUT of this mess. But if you can’t admit the government has failed then you may want to check all your senses to see if they are working correctly because it’s really common knowledge. I don’t have all the answers but I do have some. If I’m perceived as “abrasive” then that’s another personal issue for Mr. FA but many people actually appreciate me being strait and direct to the point without putting sugar on it just to make it sound nice when it’s not.
Your personal problem of finding it hard to read my letters is just that — your personal problem. I admittedly use Ebonics (the African American Language) mixed with philosophy, political science and economics in my writings to present intellectual arguments. You should also know that your own language does the same thing you are accusing me of doing. But if you can’t understand them Mr. FA maybe you need to go back to school or get you a dictionary because most high school students can comprehend what I’m saying.
Being in denial of knowledge about the U.S. is no excuse to dislike being educated about YOUR new found nation and the expectations of being apart of America. I’m simply trying to educate people about the path they are traveling as U.S. citizens — a road I am very knowledgeable about which surpasses the knowledge of some of our leaders and that’s really what some people don’t like. It is obvious that Mr. FA doesn’t like the fact that a person not from the CNMI is being vocal and having a real affect on the community. He admittedly represents the people my wife made her appeal to and he serves as proof that there will always be people in any society that JUST DON’T GET IT.
Anyone that says there is no common sense to common sense has to be a bit confused. But Mr. FA should know that many people support the idea of a new direction including some of the new candidates. Just a heads-up to you and the voting public, the New Direction Movement will also announce our plan for the election soon and I’m sure even Mr. FA and many of those who had planned to vote for the casinos will surely have second thoughts about voting for casinos once you hear our plan. Life is not a gamble and it will be proven on Election Day when the PEOPLE will have the opportunity to set us on a course for a New Direction.

AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan