There are many things we started that could have helped us start to turn things around but when the first plan failed our leaders just quit and charge it to the people. In fact, all I have seen and heard lately is just more cost being placed on the people and the government employees are bearing the brunt of the thrashing. There hasn’t been so much as a whisper about finding NEW revenue sources or seeking out relief aid for the people. But for those who seem to love to doubt me and even challenge me just because it is me, I will give you a few real examples of what I mean that might help you with reality in the CNMI.
Federalization is a “no brainer” — plan A only (fight) and the Pagan Mining Issue was another plan A to fight with no plan B and now it’s a dead issue and we still haven’t found any new sources for funding. Poor and even NO leadership, it’s just that simple.
The La Fiesta Issue is another Plan A with an in-house fight and no Plan B that killed a thriving business outlet of Saipan and now we have nothing. Poor and even NO leadership again.
Farmers — I just purchased some “fresh” bell peppers after lulling over the price being a bit higher than the imported brand. But I soon realized the local product was fresher, better quality without all the additives and it was helping our local farmers. It made me think about all the talk of helping the farmers years ago during the campaign season for governor and the farmers are still in the same position they were a decade later — no real support through legislation. I even wrote an article explaining the need to create a “luxury tariff” on goods we produce here locally to promote our agriculture industry. Our farmers grow or have the potential to grow almost every form of fruits and vegetables that are normally eaten here yet they have been forced to compete with larger produces for their own sales market. Local farmers can’t compete with the larger operations in prices until they are able to grow big themselves. The decision or should I say the lack of a decision to enforce flexible tariffs on certain imported goods has allowed our farmers to continue suffering and it’s clear our government never had a Plan A or B to help farmers.
The idea of tariffs to help the local economy reboot itself dates back to the McKinley-Tariffs that helped to build many new industries in America – its tried and proven. We (the CNMI) had better learn how to help ourselves sometimes instead of holding our hand out to “our fathers in Washington” and have a Plan A, B & C — I love this quote about Washington from a real High Chief over one of our Pacific Island Nations who realizes our true relationship with the feds.
The Poker Machines — what can I say when everyone knows there has never been a real Plan A or B so I will just move on with this one, the people with common sense know what time it is — money and friends in high places. I still say we need to move the machines to La Fiesta and kill two birds with one stone but that takes real political will power of civic virtue over politics, money and friends. Poor and even NO leadership again.
Aggreko & CUC in general is still a hot topic but given the history of CUC and the politics involved when it should be about “political will” with a real vision and plan A & B for execution. I’m sure the average citizen would like to see the plan and not the “excuses” because we (the people) need to hold someone(s) accountable but the politics of pointing fingers at each other has the general public dizzy for going back and forth from one excuse to another. Get a Plan A & B CUC and then we can have something real to support — real leaders have real plans.
We have never had a long range plan for our Roads and Beautifying the CNMI incorporated into legislation with “teeth” that will get real systemic change accomplished. To do so we need a plan A on this one before we can even get to plan B. Presently, we are only maintaining the beautiful view coming down Capital Hill but there is so much more to see if we create laws allowing for the cutting down of jungles and trees that block the spectacular views Saipan once had that are now gone. What will the tourists see when they do come back is the question we need to answer quick, fast and in a hurry. The federal government is literally about to give away money to create jobs on infrastructure projects — are we even in line and where is our plan to present to the Feds. Who is doing their homework on the Hill to prepare a plan A and B — who will lead?
The Monument — our governor went to Washington for the signing of the monument proclamation with no plan B because it seems our plan A was to fight against the monument. So what should our plan B have been but it seems no one in charge (leaders) was thinking about a plan B. Surely, our governor should have been seeking the support of the president for a school of oceanography in the CNMI as a “base camp” for studying the Marianas Trench. We should have a plan for our students to become the TOP experts on the trench but instead we acted just like the school bully who has lost a fight.
If you notice, it didn’t take long for the president to find the political will to establish the monument but it may take us years to come up with a solution and have the political will to create the “balance” that will give the people of the CNMI positive returns from the monument. It may take a year just to get something on paper and who knows how long before it can become law — so again I say who will lead.
The Gitmo detainees — It seems obvious to me, especially given our economic situation and poor relations with the feds that the commonwealth cannot afford to be too miss any more opportunities that knock on its door — even if it means becoming the “new Guantanamo Bay.” Rep. Ray Yumul is visionary and truly on the right track. Goat Island next to Tinian or the federal land on Tinian or any unpopulated island is an excellent opportunity for us to begin rebuilding our relationship at the federal level and make a vital addition to our economy. It will be virtually impossible for a detainee to get away to do any harm in the CNMI and the international exposure we will get for free is a bonus we can’t afford to refuse. We just need to use the opportunity to sell the CNMI for bigger and even better things beyond the detainees. Rep. Yumul is leading the way and everyone in the legislature that can buy a ticket should help him “hand-carry” a resolution to Washington because one person from the CNMI won’t be noticed in Washington but a contingency will draw some attention which is what we need most, to be recognized for having a solution for the feds. God Speed Rep. Yumul and keep leading.
Some people think it’s a bad idea but I think it is ingenious foresight. The construction of a facility on an island will certainly help our economy and construction industry not to mention the potential for future good paying federal jobs and the need for a food supply as part of the support system for the facility. I also see Rep. Yumul’s suggestion as one of support to help our federal government with a difficult decision that I’m sure will be greatly appreciated by our commander in chief and the U.S. Congress considering the fact this will be the first time we have offered a helping hand that I can remember or ever read about. When has the CNMI government ever offered to help the federal government — it’s just to much selfishness on the Hill. The feds already have land on Tinian that they can use if they want to but you can count on it that our leaders will follow plan A again to fight with no plan B. We won’t even need the uninhabited islands for decades and even a hundreds of years or more so what’s the problem with putting one the islands to use now? I know it’s too much like common sense. For those against the detainee idea, I can bet you don’t have a Plan B either which proves the essence of this letter. One people one direction for a Plan A & B with the execution of the plan — it is one of the first requirements for leadership and its really simple common sense.
AMBROSE M. BENNETT
Kagman, Saipan
