The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber opens his shop the next morning there is a “thank you” card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a Latino cop from the LAPD comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, “I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.”
The cop is happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a “thank you” card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Later that day, a college professor from UCLA comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replies, “I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.”
The professor is very happy and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a “thank you” card and a dozen different books, such as “How to Improve Your Business” and “Becoming More Successful.”
Then, a visiting CNMI legislator traveling on another meaningless trip with Benigno Fitial and other members of a bloated CNMI government entourage pretending to “research peanut butter factories and shoe making facilities” comes in for a haircut. When he tries to pay his bill the barber again replies, “I cannot accept money from you. I’m doing community service this week.”
The surprised legislator is very happy at receiving this additional “freebie” and leaves the shop. The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there’s Benigno Fitial himself with 11 grinning legislators lined up waiting for free haircuts. One old gray-beard even demands a free shave or else he’ll author a resolution denouncing American barbers as “Personae Non Gratae” in his “homeland.”
And that, my friends, illustrates the true difference between honest hardworking stateside American citizens and the CNMI government.
CARLOS J. NARANJA, JR.
(formerly of Saipan
& Barrigada, Guam)
Boca Raton, FL
