The reason? They (as well as many of the “Silent Majority”) are honest folk who deeply care about the future of the CNMI. Had there been a Governor in power who based decisions on what is best for the citizens, than we wouldn’t be drowning in this present day quagmire.
The Governor, and by extension the Covenant Party, has proven historically that their interests lie in self-enrichment, that there is a distinct pattern of corruption, dishonesty, and unethical practices, and that nothing is being done constructively to benefit the kind citizens of the CNMI. A simple review of the news over the past 5 years makes it painfully clear to anyone who can read and assimilate patterns and use common sense that the ruling party has forsaken it’s duties to the citizens of the CNMI. And while the Governor is quick to point fingers at others and blame the Legislature, the Senate, the world economy, the Feds, terrorists and space aliens, it is arguably the very person pointing those fingers who has lead the CNMI into such dire straits. When the Covenant’s motto during the election was “give us four more years to accomplish what we have started,” no one could imagine how quickly they succeeded in accomplishing their goals. Those goals evidently being bankrupting the economy through self-serving decisions, spending (or wasting) money well beyond the budget, and virtually singlehandedly causing the shutdown of the Government. Lots of “firsts” for CNMI history. I wonder what the history books will eventually say. Think of the unique legacy the Governor will leave behind. On the other hand, had there been someone with a proven history of honesty and transparency as the governor, such as the ever smiling Tina Sablan, it would have been most unlikely that the CNMI would be wallowing in such a hull-rotted, termite infested sinking ship.
Over the years I have read many decent, well-bred ideas to improve the economy and thus the well-being of the islands. NOT ONE of those ideas has ever been brought to fruition by the current leaders. Many of the more well-thought out ideas include encouraging investments, increasing tourism, making energy and utilities cost-effective and more modern, improving the cost-effectiveness of the Government…and the list goes on.
Instead, we are subjected to the worst run Government in the history of the CNMI, whose notoriety was to bankrupt the economy, wreak revenge against any non-supporters, hire costly lawyers, consultants, and sycophants while there is supposedly a hiring freeze, and get caught with the proverbial pants down in the middle of the night causing the international news to paint the CNMI and its Governor as, well…less than respectable.
What a laughing stock we have become.
This ruling party never should have been in power. It’s shameful and embarrassing to watch the so called “political process” in action. Actually, referring to this as a “political process” is much too kind a description; Dictatorship would be much more accurate. It will take either the peoples of the CNMI to oust this Government and place someone honest and corrupt-free in the leadership (hmmm…now THAT would an historical first) or have the Feds come in and clean house. Otherwise, things will only get worse (The Governor has, indeed, stated that we haven’t hit the bottom, YET). Can one imagine what the next fiscal year will bring?
On a positive note, I give thanks to the Minority Party members and the Senate who at least had the cojones to stand up to the Governor and his minions. Senate President Paul Manglona and the Minority members have acted as a balance against the Dictatorship. And they stood their ground against the biggest slap in the face to the voters: Speaker Tenorio’s quixotic attempt to stuff the casino nightmare down our throats…again and again.
We are all happy that a compromise has been made and government employees are back to work. HOWEVER, IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE COME TO THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE had the ruling party not been so self-serving, corrupt, and inept over the last few years. To them we owe our current plight. It is now all too obvious where the real and deep-rooted problem begins. Reading the editorials, the letters-to-the-editor, the blogs, the local news, as well as listening to many islanders, it is clear what THE PEOPLE feel about the Governor and the Covenant Party — they are fed up.
As Ed Propst succinctly quoted: “We are fed up and not going to take this anymore.”
And the latest absurdity is the Governor’s response to the “desk audit.” Recently, the Governor spent $300,000 of Federal funds for an “independent desk audit.” The last audit had been “decades ago.” The audit found — as predicted — a lot of wasteful practices, overstaffing, and mismanagement. This audit was only for DPS and DCCA. The recommendations for those two departments alone would save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars as well as make them run more efficiently. Now imagine if the desk audit included the entire government. Whew, what savings could be realized. After this independent audit came out with some very practical and cost-saving suggestions, the Governor’s spokesperson stated: “The recommendations of the audit review team are not binding…. These are policy decisions that will be made in accordance with the best interests of the commonwealth.” Huh? This can only be interpreted as Governor-speak to say that no changes are forthcoming, that the best interests of the commonwealth do not include reducing the legions of government overstaffing and saving millions of dollars annually, and that we certainly don’t want to raise the wrath of all those worthless political appointees. Common sense dictates that the best interests of the commonwealth would be to follow the recommendations of the EXPERTS hired to do the desk audit, ultimately save the taxpayers millions of dollars annually as well as produce a more efficient and responsive government. But it appears that the Governor has already axed these recommendations.
Will this insanity never end?
BILL WEISS
Puerto Rico, Saipan
