HERE’S a possible solution to the Northern Marianas’s dying economy and Guam’s self determination quest.
The answer to the NMI’s dying economy could be right in front of its face. Actually, it could be to the South. Guam could play the key role of reviving the Northern Mariana Islands economy. The Northern Marianas could play the key role in helping Guam achieve its goal of self-determination.
Currently, the CNMI’s economy is really hurting. Tourism and the garment factories are the main industries in the CNMI. Many Chamorros from the NMI are moving to Guam and elsewhere for work. Many Chamorros on Saipan talk about how lucky Guam is to have the military transfer from Okinawa. People from the CNMI are hurting from their economy. Guam’s economy is in much better shape. Garment factories on Saipan provide millions of dollars in taxes. The garment factories on Saipan are all pulling out because of free trade and the proposed minimum wage hike. The number of tourists visiting the CNMI has declined. This has resulted in the pullout of Japan Airlines and the cancellation of flight routes by Northwest and Continental. CNMI government workers are currently not allowed to work every other Friday because of austerity measures. The CNMI government does not have a solution for its dying economy. The federal government wants to increase the minimum wage in the CNMI and take control of immigration. People feel that more businesses will pull out because of the wage increase. The number of food stamp recipients has skyrocketed. The people of the Northern Mariana Islands have given up faith in their government’s ability to bring in another industry to replace the garment in order to stimulate economic growth. The NMI has no delegate. This is where Guam and the military could come into play.
The timing has never been so right for the Mariana islands to reunite.
The CNMI wants military presence on Tinian. Two-thirds of Tinian is already being leased by the federal government. The CNMI was trying to get the military to relocate to Tinian. Guam could offer the CNMI the transfer of the military to Tinian. The casinos on Tinian would have the military as their primary customers instead of our local people.
Guam and the Northern Marianas could help each other out. This would also solve the problem of division brought about by outsiders who separated this once united Chamorro islands. If we were reunited, the more minds and voices we would have and the more powerful we would be.
Guam was colonized by America and never offered a chance to choose its own political status. Reunification would be a major victory for Guam’s self-determination quest. The Marianas would be once again united like in the beginning before all the outsiders arrived.
My proposal: Reunite the Mariana islands.
Guam could offer the transfer of military bases to Tinian. This would make the military the main customers for the casino industry.
The NMI could offer Guam a chance to achieve self-determination by reuniting.
Two senators for each island — currently Saipan, Tinian, and Rota have two senators each.
The House of Representatives would be based on the population of each island.
One governor and lieutenant governor for all the Marianas.
The outcome:
The NMI would automatically have a congressional delegate.
Guam achieves self determination.
The NMI replaces the garment industry with the military buildup.
The Mariana islands would work as one to compete effectively with Hawaii and other places for tourists.
More power to the people of the Marianas.
The Mariana islands are once again united like in the beginning.
Reunite the Marianas. Biba Marianas.

JESSE TORRES
Kagman, Saipan