CNMI now has a lot of money and time on its hands. One must ask: “Where is this money and time coming from?”
Private companies, as yet unnamed, have offered to fund this absurd legal action against the United States government. Does anyone even KNOW who these “investors” are? I’ve seen “The Godfather.” Are we asking Don Corleone for a favor? Who exactly are we borrowing this money from? The source of this funding could be organized crime, the Chinese government, HANMI slavers or even (God forbid) our notorious Saipan Chamber of Commerce. We, the citizens, have a right to know who is putting up the capital for this venture. It is clandestine agreements that got us the thriving economy that we now enjoy.
“Politics make strange bedfellows” says the cliché. The CNMI has been in the right bed, with the wrong partners, for too long. We should be proud to be members of the United States of American. This administration is harkening back to the days of Jack Abramoff, when disgrace for the decent people of the commonwealth had a dollar value. Stalling federalization in the CNMI will do irreparable harm to our economy and accentuate our shame. Fighting our inevitable future will only delay the aid we most desperately need with electric power, potable water and adequate housing for everyone. In addition, this contemptuous behavior will further shun the private and military investors which we so desperately need.
These deplorable actions must stop before our beautiful islands become the target of more international shame. It is both unethical and undemocratic for our governor to use slush funds of unknown origin to speak and act for us. IS THIS WHAT WE WANT?
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
