LEADERSHIP is an expression or concept of action that is tossed around alot these days. Within the CNMI, the courage of Tina Sablan and her open letters to the community and “call for action,” is an excellent example. The riveting testimony of Ms. Lauri Ogumoro before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is another, along with the courage of Sister Stella Manglona and Ms. Kayleen Entena.
For these leadership and courage the community should say “Thank You.” Ordinary people demonstrating the power of the “TRUTH” modeling Christian morality and civic responsibility.
Leadership of our governor has been NONEXISTENT! Perhaps he should retire now and tend to his medical problems. He is NOT doing his job and representing the people of the community, all of the people of the CNMI both citizens and guest workers alike. Our people are screaming for change yet he continues to fight for the “Status Quo.” The executive and their friends within the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce, want things to stay the same. No change, so they can continue to take advantage of the community.
If they truly want the community to grow and be better, why for so many years did they oppose the minimum wage increase. Why do they NOT allow a middle class to develop and prosper? Every time you visit a shop and you see our local citizens working at $3.05 an hour and in many cases although working hard, being forced on food stamps, thank the fat cats of the Chamber of Commerce and the government officials they support through campaign contributions for that!
These same demagogues say they’re worried about the local indigenous population being diluted…well just go to the passport office and see the constant flow of our citizens applying for passports to leave so the can relocate to the U.S. mainland where they can have a better life and perhaps live a middle class American life as they deserve.
During his testimony before the Senate, Ambassador Hadyn Williams, the man who coined the tern “Covenant,” stated that “local business and political interests have institutionalized the blocking of section 503” of the Covenant.
Our first elected governor, the Honorable Dr. Carlos S. Camacho, when asked if he supports extension of federal minimum wage and immigration laws to the islands, responded by stating that “we have not shown ourselves to be capable of handling our issues, particularly labor and immigration.” He went on to say, “I blame our leaderships plus the business people for being too selfish and too greedy.” “ Federalization,” he added will stabilize the situation in the CNMI.”
Washington Rep. Pete A Tenorio, is our ONLY elected official who is demonstrating “leadership” on this important issue. His intelligent, pragmatic approach is what we need and deserve. He has educated the minority bloc in the Legislature of the ways of Washington, and the benefits of cooperating and working with federal authorities on the legislation that will surely follow.
Although I don’t totally agree with everything he and the minority block are proposing, I do agree with his approach. Pete A. is the only elected official we have, that was elected in a “landslide,” with votes from Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Covenant Party members.
He is the only leader we have, with the moral authority and the mandate of the people. The only one with the intelligence, understanding, and pragmatic thinking skills to insure that “federalization” of the CNMI will benefit our citizens and guest workers. Binding us with, our fellow citizens on the mainland under an umbrella of security, border control and island and traditional American Values.
I am not affiliated with any political party. I am a disabled veteran who has experienced the stress of life and death under difficult situations. I can recognize courage and the conviction to do the right thing, no matter what the cost. The courage of Sister Stella, Ms. Kaylen Entena, and Ms. Laurie Ogumoro. The leadership of Ms. Tina Sablan and Pete A. Tenorio.
Let’s support them in their quest to do the “right thing.” To make our beautiful island communities better, fairer, more open, for all of our citizens and guest workers so all can “enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”!
May God Bless America and the CNMI!

JIM ROSS
Dandan, Saipan