Nothing is old when everything seems new
THESE are quite unprecedented times for the Commonwealth, but many of us are unfamiliar with its history and are probably unaware that, so far, there have been very few original concepts or new policy proposals now being considered on Capital Hill. Even the “concerns” and the rhetoric (and the theatrics) have been recycled and reused.
And it is also most likely that in the future, someone reading this editorial would assume it was written a day before.
So here we go again.
Another bill to benefit CUC customers. And another bill to benefit recipients of government education assistance. Because both are “suffering.” Others, too, are “suffering” but the bills to alleviate their “hardship” are probably still being (re)drafted and/or pending.
Anyone who reads the past issues of this newspaper would likely conclude that suffering is the highlight of life in the CNMI. Many voters, it seems, are always suffering. Especially in an election year when the political oratory verges on the apocalyptic. (“It’s now or never.” “It’s about time.” “It’s our last chance.”)
It’s not yet an election year. But we’re getting there.
Cue the violins.
So you say you care
CUC, arguably, is the CNMI’s most important government entity. Most if not almost all of the other government entities can shut down, for all we care, and as long as their employees are still paid on time (and are entitled to promotions and periodic pay raises), there wouldn’t be a lot of people complaining. But an islandwide power outage and no running water? How would that affect CHCC, the private clinics, the schools, the college, the day-care centers, the manamko’ center, DPS, the fire department, Corrections, the court system, business establishments, ordinary households — the economy (or what’s left of it)?
We know, of course. We’ve been through Soudelor and Yutu.
But as a then-lawmaker would put it, “We all want first class utility services but no one wants to pay for them.” Or words to that effect. He wasn’t re-elected.
Here’s our point. If elected officials want to show they care, they should also find ways to ensure CUC’s operational and financial viability. One way of doing that is requiring regular and timely payments from the CNMI government — the largest and, some may say, the most shameless delinquent vendor in Commonwealth history. (So far, IPI still can’t a hold a candle to the government.)
As some “very concerned” lawmakers have pointed out, they have the “power of the purse.” They can introduce and pass appropriation measures. So lawmakers, please “do something” so CUC can be paid on time by the government.
We can’t say CUC is “suffering” but we all know who would if there’s no power or water.
