THE CNMI consist of two Matrilineal Cultures, that are of or based on kinship with the mother or the female line, being dominate in certain aspects of life (matrilineal kinship principle). Simply put, to a large degree Rep. Tina Sablan and Rep. Leila Staffler represent the “TRUE Intentions of our Matrilineal Society for them to take the leadership as Governor and Lt. Governor. This fact alone speaks volumes to the cultures and the high probability of them being elected. I know for many of the old-folks it is not surprising to see the CNMI put forth the FIRST EVER combination of women for Governor and Lt. Governor. It is no secret in these two societies that “it’s the mother or the oldest girl who often takes charge in a family crisis, for social gatherings and the leadership for many family activities. So if you think about it, it’s not so much of a leap as some may think to see the first two women ever to be running for Governor and Lt. Governor.
At least S & S (Tina Sablan and Leila Staffler), I’m sure will know the proper way to distinguish themselves in English as two people with the “&” sign unlike AD which may sound good but it really looks like an acronym for a business or entity, not two people and it could even mean “Anno Domini” which is Latin for “in the year of the Lord” that is use to relate time before and after the death of Christ (BC & AD). I can tell you voters that these two women can and will run circles around the AD Team and we don’t have to worry about Torres, because if the Senate doesn’t get him the FBI will and if the FBI don’t get him, he will surely get the boot in the voting booth. I think the Governor knows it’s over but he’s just putting up a good show of “support window dressing while gaslighting and pointing fingers at the JGO and the Process” for an exit strategy, like Trump is still claiming “voter fraud” for his excuse.
Times are changing and I just hope and pray that voters are keeping note of the horrible times we have faced under Republican MEN for over two decades and the need for change with women WE can truly TRUST at the helm. At least we KNOW Sablan & Staffler are “educated & experienced leaders, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient to the law, always cheerful, thrifty with our money, brave enough to stand up to the men, clean in character, and reverent with real morals” as our leaders. Yes, they are a perfect match to the “Boy Scout Slogan” that I try to live by for those who know it. Sablan & Staffler can truly play with the boys in our political arena.
The kicker is: “Torres & Sablan signs are coming DOWN while the Sablan & Staffler signs are going UP” for TRUE! In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Governor resign especially if they put forth a Resolution to prevent him from testifying because he has already “disrespected the process, members of the JGO, the People by LYING, the JGO Committee & our Constitution with his refusal to honor an official subpoena. There shouldn’t be any real doubt that the Governor won’t make it to election day given the FBI are standing in line. I’m also sure that when it comes to TRUST the objective and open-minded voters who saw the evidence and the Lt. Governor acting like he was soooo surprised will chose Tina & Leila over Arnold every time. It’s a new day on the horizon this year and its truly time to “carpe diem” with new and exciting Matrilineal Leadership, as its truly time to be HAPPY after an election! To be continued: One people One Direction.
The writer is an Economist, Political Scientist, retired teacher, former CNMI Board of Education Member, James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
Ambrose M. Bennett
