sound peace initiative, approached the Muslim world with unabated determination to restore America’s dignity abroad, stressed by an unachievable war on terror, confronted opponents with reason and logic, and was a Congressional force that voted labor and immigration reform to the CNMI, ending “the great silence” of abuses that plagued the Saipan garment era.
Children from the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands can now aspire to be president themselves, since our current president broke the color barrier that tainted America’s reputation for over a century.
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce, whose members were instrumental in the Jack Abramoff bribery affair, seeks a delay in the enactment of federalization. Chamber members have not only had the benefit of a restricted work force that has destroyed opportunity for local youth, they have been directly and indirectly supported by the American taxpayer, including U.S. subsidies for their own underpaid contract guest workers. Apparently, according to CREAM members support of the governor, many foreign investors now support a delay in federalization. Could the reason they support a delay be that they like it here, operate businesses without having complied with U.S. investor visa requirements, participate in flagrant immigration fraud by bringing relatives and non-relatives to the NMI, send their children to U.S. funded schools, and remit their profits abroad, paralyzing CNMI economy? CREAM’s support may not represent the views of local CNMI voters. Immigration fraud will not sell to unemployed Americans, financially challenged CNMI residents, or the Department of Homeland Security, and must cease.
We must create opportunity for our young people by forcing the private sector to train and employ citizens. Before P.L. 110-229 gave us a delegate in the U.S. Congress, we were plagued by unscrupulous representation, poor leadership, and poor judgment. The CNMI needs change and clinging to the status quo here will not improve the lives of our young U.S. citizens.
Again, congratulations Mr. President, the world has fittingly distinguished your undertakings among the works of Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, and other disserving recipients of mankind’s highest honor and tribute.
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
