“I tried to talk about good roads and good schools and all these things…and nobody listened. And then [four years later] I began talking about ni****s, and [voters] stomped the floor.” In 1962, he won in a landslide.
I don’t think that Governor Fitial is a racist. But lately, he has been resorting to race-baiting to score political points against Kilili. The governor has never “forgiven” Kilili for not supporting Uncle Ben in 2009 and for trouncing Fitial’s candidates in 2010. It didn’t work in 2008 and 2010, but the governor, next year, will once again use lies and demagoguery to oust one of the very very few CNMI officials working hard for the benefit of the public.
Reacting to USCIS’ announcement of a case by case, one-year parole to IR’s of U.S. citizens or CNMI permanent residents, the governor claims that this will benefit “thousands of jobless” foreigners who will “drain scarce resources in the areas of health, education and welfare.” But not all IR’s — who were considered “locals” by CNMI law — are jobless. And those who are unemployed are not bums; they take part-time jobs and help raise their U.S. citizen kids. As for health, education and welfare in the CNMI — they are lavishly funded by the feds. The amounts of these federal dole-outs, moreover, are usually based on a jurisdiction’s population. Kicking out nonresidents will mean a much smaller population, fewer consumers and a significant decrease in federal assistance.
Locals, in short, are not suffering because of foreigners, who are not voters and who have no say in the CNMI government. The local people are hurting because of the incompetence and mismanagement of this administration.
But the governor and his hacks have said so many lies already that they can’t keep their story straight anymore. The governor is against the case by case (not blanket parole as he incorrectly told reporters last week) granting of parole to a few nonresidents who are IR’s of U.S. citizens/CNMI permanent residents, but he is for 1) the extension of the umbrella permit he granted to all nonresidents two years ago; 2) the extension of the transition period that ends in 2014; and 3) local control over minimum wage and immigration which resulted in the unrestricted entry of cheap, foreign workers.
The governor said he has a “heart,” but it “belongs to the CNMI people.” He asked, “How about Kilili. Where does his heart belong?”
This from the governor who implemented Fitial Fridays, stiffed the Retirement Fund, slashed the salaries of rank and file government employees, including those who are federally funded, while hiring or awarding contracts to political supporters. Under his administration, the CNMI lost its Covenant privileges that allowed for the creation of a booming economy. Under his failed leadership, the local economy is now on the verge of collapse.
“The commonwealth needs real economic growth, not cheap political promises to those who are hurting our local economy,” said the governor who, since 2006, has done so much to hurt the CNMI, its local people and its economy. Governor, sir, your words and actions don’t match. Speeches are no substitute for results. Saying is not the same as doing.
This administration, however, is afflicted with delusions and among them is its belief that Kilili’s political successes are based on “good PR.” Not on Kilili’s unrelenting work on Capitol Hill that have secured tens of millions of federal dollars which saved jobs and key programs benefitting thousands of local residents. Not Kilili’s transparency and willingness to dialogue with his constituents. Not his ability to listen and to help. Not his decency and dependability as a public servant. But PR.
How’s that working out for you governor?
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