CAUTION. You are about to enter the election zone. An area infested with old and new politicians trying to sell their ideas to lead and develop better live for us. It is that time when handshakes are abundant and unknown bloodlines are reviewed in effort to make you feel the vibes that they represent the best ideas and our interest so that we can put them in office.
Beware of promises that are not achievable specifically about the issues facing CNMI. Many will have convincing traits that may come as a surprise only to be disappointing to voters.
Weed your candidates well. We need to have new ideas that have the energy level to deal with the many pressures that our economy brings forth. Get rid of deadwood, or would-be deadwood candidate, and allow the ones that bring potentials to provide balance to our suffering.
Here is an idea to know the candidate that comes your way. Ask your candidate the following:
1. What do they propose, or have they proposed, on the surcharge issue that is causing unfair and more sacrifices and sufferings among the lower class (disadvantaged) people? We are not looking for a complete stoppage but rather providing language of law that eliminates the across the board approach and provides for fairness based on our income brackets.
2. In time of our present economic status, what are they going to do to put in their share of sacrifices to save the government from getting broke? Pay particular attention to allowances that they get after winning the election and their wages as well.
3. What programs do they have, or have proposed, to improve the resident workers’ wage and benefits that deviates from our poverty wage that can be the very reason that can avoid U.S. takeover on the issue of minimum wage? How would they develop programs that change employer’s mindset to allow resident workers to get higher wages and more benefits, thus providing incentives for local workforce development? Note that you are looking for an empowerment program.
4. What ideas do they have to reduce reliance on nonresident workers? We all know that because of our present labor practices the CNMI workforce is dominated by nonresident workers. It kills the resident workers’ opportunity and drains our economy.
Do not allow them to take you into the Zone. Lead them into the real world based on our suffering now.

DENTON-JOE PANGELINAN
Dandan, Saipan