THE Governor is still doing what he does best which is “gaslighting & misdirecting politics” and I guess he thinks WE are like the Trump supporters who will believe anything with his 10-year plan to make the NMI a world class destination — WOW! Given Governor Torres has already been in office going on SEVEN years and only now is he coming up with a “long-term plan” and to make it worse the plan defies the realities of our economic situation. But the kicker is “he won’t be in office for ten years” making any accountability for the plan nothing more than a “gaslighted mirage” in the ocean and it even reminds me of the PROSPERITY Lie! This “world class” stuff really sounds more like Jerry Tan stuff which he spouted with the “high-end tourist idea to the N. Islands” that was also for the distant future and only now it’s about “quality” — please give us-folks-in-the-cheap-seats a break Mr. Tan.
I didn’t read about a single “benchmark” that would be accomplished during the ten-year period which means there is NOTHING for the People to “assess and hold accountable for being accomplished or a failed effort” — HELLER! Governor, WE the People are not stupid. Based on what was in the newspaper it was a truck load of “gaslighting” about things related to the Tourism Industry but there was nothing definitive about the Legislation needed, what the CNMI Government must achieve and more importantly nothing about HOW the People will be affected. Oh, don’t forget we are now two years into the 10-year mandate for transitioning our workforce but there is still no 10year plan for meeting the requirements in this FEDERAL LAW — duh! So, if the Governor can ignore the Feds desire to see a real 10-year plan just think what is going to happen with his ten-year economic plan, especially when he won’t even be Governor for 10 years — YES, you are right in whatever you think as I’m sure anyone with common sense knows the answer is NOTHING!
It sounds more to me like the plan is about what Tan Holdings want to see happen in the next ten years, which is not a bad thing but its gaslighting with no benchmarks & requirements in law. WE the People have enough of a problem with getting our own leaders to follow the law, so what is going to make them follow this plan — duh! But most of us with common sense KNOW the plan is MORE talk with virtually NO actions being required and mandated for accomplishment. But if they were truly thinking about the CNMI and a “world class destination” then the Amelia Earhart Monument would be nearly at the top of the list in the plan, especially when the monument will be a FREE addition to our “Tourist Attractions” that will surely have international appeal. But no, they would rather “gaslight-us-up” with a bunch of “suggestions & recommendations” that won’t even hold water much less guarantee doing anything that will make life better FOR the People.
Lt. Governor Palacios had the nerve to say WE the People should be looking at the “diversification of investments,” an economic term that simply means to look at “different or new investors” with the assertion as if us-folks-in-the-cheap-seats can reach out to investors — so who is guaranteed to be diversifying our investments in this plan and please don’t say the Republicans. The Amelia Earhart Monument is a new and different investment that comes for FREE to the CNMI so how about putting that in the plan for immediate action if you truly care Lt. Governor. I’m asking you sir because the Governor has NEVER really listened unless you want the Democrats to take care of this too.
The assertion that the Governor’s 10-year plan is “written in stone” and is not supported by Law tells me and most people with common sense that it is more likely “written in Jell-O” that only taste good but colored & sugar water with a jelling agent don’t do much for your health and performance in the end. I can remember being on the Board of Education when the PSS Commissioner instituted a 10-year plan that would bring our youths scores in the National Testing up to be equal with the U.S. mainland average but when that Commissioner left so did the plan and still today our students’ scores are not equal to the U.S. mainland — so this 10-year plan may be good intentions but there is nothing to guarantee it working which makes it just another gaslighting show by the Governor using his Crew to supply the lighting literally.
On a final note, I didn’t see where this plan is going to actually address IPI and counter China’s crackdown on overseas gambling that is likely to adversely affect IPI and for sure the CNMI. If IPI can’t organize mainland Chinese for the purpose of overseas gambling because it is a criminal act and the fact that IPI is dying and headed for Receivership, then WHY didn’t that plan say “get rid of IPI quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry”!!! Why didn’t that plan say “lease the Mariana Resort NOW to any Investor but not from China.” This plan is just another distraction like the trip to the N. Islands when our leaders need to be discussing what they are going to do NOW, not by 10 years. I’m sure most voters with common sense will have to agree this plan was just another gaslighting show when we need real action like the building of the Amelia Earhart Monument for the reopening of our economy — its FREE Economic Development that we need NOW!
To be continued: One People One Direction.
The writer is a retired teacher, former CNMI Board of Education Member, James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
The head-rest of George Washington’s “Rising Sun” chair.
File photo
