Generals treated the war as a toy and certain the Armistice would take their toy away, they played with them to the last minute of the last hour regardless of the catastrophic loss of life.
Leadership here can see our economic collapse. The federalization transition period has instilled a sense of fear that the toys they have long played with, will soon be taken away. Why else would Congress will not support the Open Government Act? Congressional job security must be the rationale behind not supporting a part time legislature.
Unethical political practices are protecting their control of millions of dollars of unaccountable funds in discretionary accounts YEARLY. Mayors have enormous budgets and municipal councils are also squandering public funds at the expense of the NMI’s indigenous poor. The administration is even threatening a lawsuit against the U.S., which further damages our case for federal aid.
The most recent House of Representatives funding appropriations for ball fields and fishing derbies is but a typical example. Lawmakers here know that the weak and the lost jump on trains but the strong should stand up to be counted.
The lt. governor’s grand jury indictment on three felonies along with charges against family and publicly paid conspirators has further tarnished the image of our commonwealth. At a time the NMI needs to work with the U.S. most, we have an administration with an adversarial, if not belligerent, relationship with the federal government. Stealing funds happens on the mainland as well, but leaving the lt. governor in office, drawing a SALARY, is an embarrassment to the people here and will irreparably defame the CNMI internationally if allowed to continue.
Our reputation in Washington, D.C. has become one of thieves and beggars due to the actions of a few. Residents are embarrassed by this shameful conduct, but the only shame on residents would be to not do something about it.
I am asking the lt. governor to resign out of decency and love for the Northern Marianas and the wonderful people here, if he does not, the governor must remove him from office or it is a callous disregard of his duty.
Removing the lt. governor should be Ben Fitial’s last act in office, as decency demands the governor’s resignation as well.
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
