AS a retired, disabled veteran, who has made his home here for more than a generation, I feel compelled to speak out and voice my SUPPORT for the COMPLETE federalization of CNMI minimum wage and immigration.
Taking the advice of Deputy Secretary Cohen, I plan, along with other veterans, to travel to Washington D.C. to urge the swift passage of this legislation.
Unlike the CNMI government, which is still talking about spending your income tax refunds to pay for lobbyists in an attempt to defeat or stall this legislation, we will pay our own airfare, out of our meager retirement incomes, stay in a USO Veterans Guest House, and ride public transportation in an effort to present another point of view. We hope to deliver petitions and letters written by ordinary middle class and lower income citizens to support federalization.
Our government’s concern is for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, SEDC, and other fat cats who contribute monies to get the politicians elected and maintain the status quo.
Thousands of men and women from all over America took up arms, served in the armed forces, came to NMI and fought to liberate our beautiful islands. I am quite sure, they would NOT be happy to see American values they fought for diminished in a jurisdiction UNDER the U.S. flag.
We are urging the increase of the minimum wage, federalization of immigration and border control, and then and only then a delegate to Congress. May God Bless America and the CNMI!

JIM ROSS
Dandan, Saipan