I think it is only fair to say that the ARRA problem IS NOT entirely Secretary Ada’s fault because the ultimate accountability falls on Sec. Ada’s boss and his fellow Cabinet Members. The politics of America is a TEAM SPORT as there are just too many factors and too many aspects of governing for one person to handle. The team has let Sec. Ada down and now he is the “fall guy” for the administration so we shouldn’t be too hard on him because I believe he is really trying his best to get the job done.
Sec Ada said it was unfair because our federal money is somehow different from all the other states, the Territories and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico which is literally our “din ga” in the American family. Well my first question is how is our money so different from the rest of the nation when the money is given to us under the same law and same conditions? I really want to hear what will have to be an oxymoron form of rational to this question and I’m sure there are many others who want to know.
Sec. Ada said our Delegate to Congress has constantly complained about how slow we are at spending the money. Well I can only say Kudos to Kilili but the question is how can he be wrong for speaking as loud as he can to get the people he represent some badly needed help? It should also be noted that our record of slow spending dates back to when former Governor Babauta was our Washington Rep as I can personally remember him complaining about the same thing which is a long term indicator of it being a habitual practice. I’m saying this because our next Governor will have to change this practice — we must become more efficient in all areas. If we can’t even spend free money how can we ever expect to find prosperity in the Commonwealth or to become self sufficient, which should be our ultimate goal.
Sec Ada mentioned autonomous agencies had not reported, well I know autonomy does not relieve these agencies from complying with federal laws. There are also special assistants and secretaries appointed to by the executive branch to govern over all the autonomous agencies and the question is why haven’t they turned in their reports? People with common sense want answers not rational.
Sec. Ada said that he was not going to rush and break the law — well I think the whole purpose of the ARRA was to RUSH — duh! Everybody else was rushing but us and that’s the point of this exercise. So the question is does that mean all the other states and territories have broken the law? The question itself is ridiculous so you don’t have to be an Albert Einstein to know the answer. Why didn’t we do our homework and adopt some of the parts of the BEST plans used by the States and Territories? Why do we always have to reinvent the wheel?
Sec. Ada said there was only 26.58 million available. But just because there is less available than announced the question is how relevant is the 26.58 million when we are still dead last with less than 3 percent spent of the entire 54 million we will get? I added an extra percentage point on this estimate and it still won’t help make things look any better but I would like to hear the answer.
Sec Ada also admitted not knowing how many jobs have been created and the amount that has been spent within the CNMI which was a self incriminating statement about this administration’s lack of accountability. Sec. Ada couldn’t have the answer because like I said in my previous letter no one is doing their homework, just watching. The lack of accountability is not on Mr. Ada and I hope he will excuse me for using his name so much but he is representing and speaking for the administration and it comes with the job.
The entire ARRA issue is about a team and its leadership which seems dysfunctional when it comes to playing the Federal games of politics and law. I’m sure everyone may be doing their best but like the song says, “sometimes your best isn’t good enough.” So please don’t take this personal because this is ultimately about the welfare of every person living in the CNMI and I’m just doing my civic duty as an active and concerned citizen who wants to be informed. People with common sense know that if something needs stimulating that means it is in trouble and even dying. We (the people & businesses) literally can’t afford for this administration to “let it be” and take its time to stimulate our dying economy. I do appreciate the rational because it does show that someone on the Hill is at least listening but we (the people) are loud on this issue because we really don’t want to hear rational. The CNMI is literally drowning, which is why our president and Congress sent immediate help but our leadership has chosen to take their time to save us based on Sec Ada’s own words. A drowning group of people won’t take kindly to our administration taking its time to save us. I’m sure most people with common sense won’t forget those words of Sec. Ada on Nov. 7th and that’s for true. One people one direction.
AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
