I want the candidates for Congress to know that putting up signs, depending on family and playing “safe” politics IS NOT going to cut it for this election. Only two candidates have demonstrated political will and put themselves on line to take a political stance for the people. Only two candidates are exhibiting “public leadership” and the election is right around the corner. Only two candidates have dared to take on the governor to help the people and only one candidate has publicly looked into our power problems. I could go on but I think the other seven candidates should have gotten the message by now.
This is not a popularity contest and the people surely are not going to buy anymore “Pie In The Sky” slogans and promise either, especially when there is NO PROOF in your details. Our governor has ruined that angle when he promised Better Times and didn’t deliver. The governor even told us Karl Rove was his personal friend when he was running for office but Karl Rove didn’t do anything to help the CNMI when he was the president’s right hand man. Now he releases pictures of him and the VP pick Sarah Palin like it’s going to do him and us some good. Gentlemen this kind of politics will not be tolerated for this VITAL position in our government if I can help it. We (the people) will not be bamboozled again like I have seen in past elections which is why I have chosen to publicly CHALLENGED ALL of you and there is NO CHOICE but to respond if you want to be elected. The day of the numbers game, family politics and safe politics for being elected is OVER!
No disrespect intended but someone must challenge ALL the delegates to Congress to simply “explain yourselves” to the ALL the people if you want to work for us — it’s common sense. We all know that there will NEVER be a forum where the entire public will get a true assessment of the nine candidates’ intentions & ability if elected. I only have one common sense question for you to answer in a letter to the editor. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO and HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET IT DONE if elected? The people need accountability and the BEST representation possible with the capacity to get things done and nothing less. We don’t need to know why you want the job that’s your personal message. We don’t need to know about your qualifications because it won’t define your results. We don’t need to know what you have done because that part of the next test you will be asked — so get ready. Candidates must stand on and be elected based on your platform and your ability to deliver this time around because it’s a new day for politics in the CNMI. We can’t afford to cast “uneducated votes” anymore because that is what got us in this situation today. The PEOPLE must choose WELL and every candidate has a political obligation to respond to this simple public request that I’m confident is supported by enough voters to influence the outcome of the election when this is over.
I have already discussed this with the editors of both newspapers and they have agreed to print your letters as long as they are addressing this question. Any attempts to vet your opponents will be deleted from your letter by the editor. To make it equal and fair, the editors and I have agreed that everyone must use the title “Delegate to Congress & Last Name” (no clan names) and limit your letter to 1,000 words. Your seat in Congress is on the line “for true” and you can believe the people are watching and waiting to see if you can really handle this simple test. If you can’t handle the question by responding then we will certainly know you can’t handle Washington which is a “good thing” for the people to know when they vote. The ball is now in your court gentlemen and I’m sure the voting public will be watching and waiting on YOU to pass or fail. The response deadline is Sept. 19 for both papers. This is the first of three questions and thanks for your cooperation. One people one direction for the BEST candidate to Congress.
AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
