Ambrose M. Bennett
THE Truth of the matter is CEDA did not generate any NEW Competitive Economic Development but indeed set the conditions for MACS to have a monopoly over our Interisland Air Travel & Cargo. I’m not against MACS and I thank them for their Cargo Services but for CPA to “trump-up a case to get rid of Star Marianas while the Government literally goes into a Partnership with MACS using OUR money and WE didn’t have any say — TOTAL Disrespect but WE were promised TRUST — can’t wait to see what that means to the Governor. Furthermore, CEDA already had procession of Star Marianas’ Complaint that they put on the “back-burner” on purpose to allow MACS to have an “unfair competitive advantage.” Star Marianas’ complaint should have been resolved BEFORE CPA decided to throw them out and before CEDA decided on MACS, as the Fees where in the process for a resolution but fair wasn’t on the agenda. The real question FOR the People is will our Leaders in the Legislature, especially Democrats, call for “a Public Hearing and Oversight Hearing” to make SURE the People WANT and are getting the BEST Deal! I’m sure any Economist will tell the People of the CNMI, “the People will LOSE money on 22 yrs. of no taxes, as We are talking about tens of millions and surely over 100 million in the 22yr. period, do the MATH! There is also a reasonable expectation our economy will not always be this way given it is at the lowest level possible, as the only way is UP! The only thing WE the People are being guaranteed in this deal is “Medical Referral Travel” and lower fares which are NOT guaranteed. We need to learn to “help ourselves before giving OUR future away for a hand-out today,” as Medical Air Travel may be less than 10% of air travel, so DO the math LEADERS & “look before you leap.”
The Government should NEVER go in business with the Private Sector unless it is forced to, like WE should have done with the casino before it was too late, but that’s another story. The Truth is, our government is poised to go in business with MACS and even making them a MONOPOLY by running the competition away, which is the horror story part of this deal. If the Governor wanted cheaper fares and Medical Referral exemptions, he should “Reform our Laws & Policies” to start a “Medical & Social (low income) Air Travel Subsidy Program using Airline tax credit for each ticket paying as we go or the unused MPLT’s 100-million of Locals’ $$$ to finally HELP Locals after 42yrs.! Give subsidies to Star Marianas & MACS creating a HEALTHY & COMPETATIVE air travel. But don’t use subterfuge to run Star Marianas away. A Hostile Takeover Creating a Monopoly with OUR money. Here WE go again! WE need competition for lower airfares, NOT a Monopoly!
The People & our leaders need to be reminded of “business-people’s modus operandi” which is to “catch them when they are down and buy or takeover” which is what is happening with CPA’s push to get rid of Star Marianas. They were trying to make the Star Marianas’ issue a separate issue but I’m sure those with common sense can see the “CPA’s subterfuge was done in concert with CEDA,” which STINKS! There is also the fact in business to “use other people’s money to get rich,” as MACS is not capable of handling our passenger interisland travel, yet WE are going to HELP them buy aircraft & pay pilots with OUR taxes. It’s ridiculous, WE have an airline, as this is like Cannabis Commission WE don’t need — kaduku!
Learn to “help ourselves with Reforms before giving 22yrs. of OUR future away for a small hand-out today.” Everyone in the CNMI is going to be affected by the stench unless a deodorizing agent (check) for a clean & fair airline’s decision with a program for both airlines to be “WASHED PUBLICLY” in a Public Hearing. WHERE are my Democrats, the “People’s Party,” who need to make a name “crunching the numbers & DEMANDING for a Public Hearing, as WE know Republicans are going to rubber stamp the Governor. OUR taxes are OUR Business & the House, not CEDA’s nor Arnold’s, especially with favoritism giving away OUR future without consent. I’m sure the People are surely sick & tired of GOP-Stuffing Subterfuge down our throats — No Trust & maybe No 2nd term Arnold if he signs this WITHOUT his community’s approval!
WE don’t need to take the BIG risk of giving our taxes away for 22 yrs. when WE are already collecting these same taxes and will continue to collect these taxes if Star Marianas isn’t run away. WE need to be trying to KEEP both airlines & our future, not give in to Political-Duress Favoritism Deals. Once our economy turns around, as it will get better, WE are going to be very disappointed over this deal under Republican Political-Duress just like WE were forced with the exclusive Casino deal that WE now HATE! PLEASE prove WE have LEARNED Democrats and don’t let this be another “I Told You So.”
I truly miss my late friends Bishop Camacho, former Governor Froilan Tenorio and Senator Crisostomo who I believe would all be trying to Say or Do Something FOR the People to stop this subterfuge. I think the bishop might even agree WE have some “Pharisees who need to be stopped,” as it was the Jewish Pharisees within society wanting Jesus crucified, like OUR Rights to be “Heard, Protected & Served” are being crucified by those who serve God on Sunday & do the Devil’s work on Monday! This deal is about pure subterfuge just like the casino and it will NOT have a happy ending just like the casino. WHEN will WE learn to control our fate and stop putting it in China and now CEDA.
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 Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
