Ambrose M. Bennett
THE Truth is “WE have a Failure to Communicate in the CNMI,” as it is common practice on the mainland to see activist ignite and push issues to the surface to be “addressed as a grievance for the government to resolve.” But this is not the case in the CNMI given Ambrodamus is the only activist who speaks out against the establishment (Republicans, Dems & Independents) who Fail-to-Do the right things FOR the People but there’s a Failure to Communicate — LISTEN! Ambrodamus recently asked Mr. Daniel Quitugua to PLEASE find out the status of NMD’s Money at MPLT but when I submitted an “Open Government Request” I was told, the Northern Marianas Descent Corporation has yet to contact them, so I’m now doing the Dems’ & NMDC’s job. I do want to thank MPLT Administrator Barbara Reyes for expeditiously responding to my request and assuring me she will get answers, as to-date, NMDs still don’t know 1. How much money they have, 2. How much is owed from loans, if any. 3. WHAT is the yearly “income & expenses at MPLT. But one would think the new NMDC president would be expeditiously working to find answers but it seems “WE have a Failure to Communicate.” But the main questions are Why an/or What is the problem with Danny & NMDC, as I’m sure most readers know the answer — Ambrodamus was first to ask, thus the Same-O silent treatment of avoiding PROGRESS!
I recently submitted a formal letter of request for Oversight Hearings on the Cannabis Commission & Casino Commissions to members of the House and I was glad to see my former student & Vice Speaker Diego Vincent F. Camacho who deserves KUDOS for proposing to disband the Cannabis Commission, at least he’s trying to listen. But, dissolving one commission to create another commission as a division within the Department of Commerce with authority to regulate the cannabis industry was NOT the original intent for the industry to be “self-driven” like the Hotel Industry. I’m also sure Republicans are still lobbying for THEIR Commissioners, as Commerce doesn’t need them to “issue licenses & create policies that can be freely promulgated by an “ad hoc committee of Industry Stakeholders & Commerce” as even the Commission’s policies still need to be made Law by the Legislature. The enforcement should also be under Alcohol — Tobacco (and Marijuana) that is already set up for “Vice-enforcement” while the Municipal Counsels should have the power to designate “WHERE & under WHAT conditions marijuana can be used in Public Locations” on their respective Islands. Presently tourists are breaking the law with no “Free-place to smoke” just paying a lounge when they want to enjoy smoking on the beach. The mayors were intended to “approve & support Cannabis Events” like the mayors do with other events. Please note that Commerce, the Saipan Municipal Counsel & Mayor were all on board for these reforms until Ambrodamus was stopped by the Governor. But at least the communication letter I sent wasn’t a failure and hopefully all the needed reforms (laws) for the industry can be implemented saving money with a productive Cannabis TOURISM Industry as originally intended.
However, the Oversight Hearing I requested for the Casino Commissions to be dissolved still seems to be a “Failure to Communicate” with the (Casino) Gaming Committee Chair Ralph Yumul, as I have yet to hear anything. It is soooo darn obvious Republicans don’t want to lose their 15 GOP Casino Commissioners, who are mostly retired politicians or have “high profile family ties” for VOTES. But if our leaders can ignore someone like Ambrodamus who has a “historic public platform” on the obvious WASTE & Poli-tricking with all these unnecessary commissioners, what does that mean for the average person without a public platform — YES total disrespect FOR the People who hired them. Readers just witnessed this same disrespect for NMDs that lasted for decades and I’m sure readers, especially the NMDs, are anxiously waiting on Mr. Quitugua’s Financial Status Report on the MPLT Funds. But this is just another example of WHY the CNMI can’t move forward and WHY so many people in the community appreciate Ambrodamus for speaking UP on behalf OF the People.
Respect & Communication are not “one-way phenomenon” as Respect is RECIPROCAL and Communication requires LISTENING, which is something our leaders have FAILED-to-Do, and WHY Ambrodamus has proven entirely too many times with too many issues that WE the People have missed-out-on progress because our elected leaders refuse to listen — for TRUE! Once they are elected, there is a Failure to Communicate by too many of them who CHANGE, and others are just simply AFRAID. So, all the accountability stuff flies out the window or into the trash when it comes to holding them accountable TOO their People, as they avoid accountability at ALL-COST just to keep SITTING! Some officials even get away with “HIDING” by not addressing issues — LOL, which is why I am praying for ALL-of-Us that WE the People will have a real Rock-Star for our next Governor who is not afraid to Listen & Do the Right Thing, “regardless of the source from which it came” as “WE can learn from children & even the ants” on their merits if WE listen, like WE are taught in the Bible. I taught my students to vote based on “WHAT they (elected leaders) have done that you can see, feel or touch to make your life or the CNMI a better place to live & work,” a simple test for elected leaders. It is now a matter of Public Record that CNMI Republicans haven’t done “SQUAT” lately to make the CNMI nor our lives Better. So, dare to ask, “What have you done for me lately” when elected leaders come calling for your vote.
One People, One Direction.
Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays-Lifetime Humanities & Religious Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
