There have been public hearings, news articles, KSPN reports, editorials and op-eds about this issue even before NMC’s Sam McPhetres announced in a media conference on Oct. 2 that his students, as requested by the Senate, would conduct an “advisory” referendum on Nov. 4. That event, which was the top news the next day, was followed by several reminders published or aired by the media as well as another flurry of news articles, reports and/or editorials.
Everyone, or at least most everyone, knew about the survey last week but only 6.7 percent of Saipan’s voters participated. Why? Maybe because it was nonbinding. Maybe the electorate didn’t care anymore. Or maybe they realized that their elected officials should not pass the buck and were in office to take a stand and make tough decisions.
In any case, congratulations to Sam and his students. You did what could be done with the resources you had and you did it well. Once again, you performed a valuable service to the community.
As for the eggless senators who prefer to straddle the fence on this controversial issue — now what? Whose skirt will you hide behind this time?
At this point, proponents should be wondering what the governor, who supports the casino, is still waiting for before sealing the deal with Rota and Tinian to ensure the measure’s passage.
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Qualified applicants don’t need CNMI Labor
Why is it “OK” that an agency of a government that has consistently mismanaged its funds is now telling businesspersons how to spend their money and run their businesses?
Recently, in its continuing search for relevancy under the new system that has made it irrelevant, CNMI Labor warned businesses not to “inflate” the qualifications indicated in their job vacancy announcements.
In other words, a businessperson has the “right” to risk her money and pay government fees and taxes but she can’t hire individuals who, based on their performance and the needs of her business, help keep it afloat.
If you’re the businessperson, if it is your hard-earned money we’re talking about — including money you saved or borrowed — would you hire someone based not on qualifications but on the say-so of this government? And if you comply — for the “common good” — how long do you think you’d remain in business? And what is “good” about more businesses shutting down?
This government has been hiring political supporters for so long that its officials apparently now believe that businesses can employ just about anyone, too. But a job in the private sector has to be earned. A company does not hire an applicant because he’s a voter and is related to many other voters.
Deploying the discourse of victimization that demagogues resort to whenever everything else fails, CNMI Labor claims that U.S. workers are now…“disadvantaged.” How can that happen? If there‘s a vacancy and a qualified U.S. worker applies for it, why won’t a company hire him? It’s easier and cheaper to hire U.S. workers. There are, in fact, hundreds of locals and other U.S. workers employed in the private sector. They were hired not because they’re U.S. citizens or residents, but because they’re competent workers. They report for work, on time, every working day, and do the job they’re hired to do.
How indeed can U.S. workers be “disadvantaged”? Under the law, they’re the first preference for any job in the CNMI. They can work anywhere in any of the states and other territories. They can also tap many local and federal programs to acquire or further improve their education or skills, thereby increasing their value as employees.
In the private sector, you cannot elevate race above ability, demand unearned merit and expect to remain in business. You might as well go into politics and run for office.
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