So many years have gone by when we first sought help to better ourselves but nothing has succeed.
Our college is struggling to get accredited and no one knows how to fix it.
Our coffers are always empty, and all of our necessities are going to be gone soon. Or shall I say, “out of stock.”
Our Retirement Fund is in grave danger and not everyone understands the problem. Many think withdrawal is better than nothing at all, but in reality someone should explain to them that what they are taking is like a one-year salary compared to the lifetime pension that retirees are enjoying now. Those who are waiting to retire cannot retire because the government doesn’t pay its contribution and there is nothing we can do to get the money. Some fear losing everything and they are now waiting for the enactment of a law that will allow them to withdraw and save their money someplace else until such time these problems with the Fund are fixed.
Labor and immigration issues are the other scary problems we have. Those who are IR’s of U.S. citizens desperately need our help and no one knows how to do that. Now, their lawyers and experts are here informing us of their capacity to rule the islands one day, and what they can do in the future. What’s scarier is that they were once our friends, but now it seems like we are strangers to each other. We used to help each other and work together. Now they are strangers and we don’t know what they might do next.
Our hospital is now in the hands of another authority, which wants everything to be paid, but many of us have lost their health insurance in order to be able to pay our other obligations. Yes there is Medicaid, but not all are eligible. On Tinian we don’t have a doctor and to see one we need to fly to the Saipan hospital which has limited services. Only those who can afford fly to Guam.
The Public School System has a curriculum that is accredited, but not applicable to our way of life. Parents have to go school or attend a workshop in order to understand what is being taught to their children. Many important life skills are not included in the curriculum so parents have to ensure their children’s well-being to meet their educational needs.
There are a lot of gambling addicted families who need professional help but are scared to seek help. They fear losing their good reputation as well as the trust and respect of others. This is a sad and scary issue that many of us don’t see as a threat to our social and general welfare.
Our leaders need professional assistance on how to make laws that are applicable to our community. They should show us how to get it, instead of giving it to us. Ask the feds to show us how to do the work, how to make money, and how can we improve ourselves to be able to comply with their requirements.
DFW and EPA should show us how to protect our environment. Educate us on what laws we can implement to prevent the extinction of our coral reef, our fish, our coconut crabs and other important species. One of the problems I see are batteries. Are we aware what damage these things can cause if we don’t dispose them properly?
Drug issues are growing and I haven’t heard anything being done to address them.
The same thing with juvenile delinquency issues. I haven’t heard of any reliable program in place to help them once they are out of detention.
One good example is those who are seeking employment. They are struggling to get a job but there is no one to help and they end up doing the same thing again.
What’s going to happen to us when we get old? Can our children help us? What will happen to us should other U.S. citizens rule over us?
Are we prepared to live like others, where nothing is free, and the price is higher than we expected? Does the world around us understand that the cost of living here is different compared to bigger places where everything is available, and they don’t need to pay for shipping or to hire professional to do certain important jobs? Does the U.S. government know that we have a limited workforce that doesn’t have the skills for the duties they are required to perform? Do they know that we neither have the expertise nor the money to hire those who can help us with all these issues we are facing now?
I worry about what will happen in three years after the federal takeover of immigration is fully implemented. What will happen to us should these contract workers leave or get deported? I’m worried about the impact on the CNMI.
What’s scarier are some leaders who are desperate and are making decisions without thinking about the consequences. What’s also scarier is that no one would come forward and lead us to stop this abuse of authority while other nations take advantage of our islands.
Many of our forefathers died in wars caused by these nations fighting over us. When the U.S. took over, we were promised freedom and democracy, yet we now feel imprisoned by all these laws not applicable to our race. And the cry for peace is being ignored by the desire to rule.
If Santa Claus is real I will write him this letter:
“Dear Santa, is it possible that under God’s law, we poor and defenseless nations can ask help from the rich nations? If it is, I will ask for free doctors, because we lost all of our doctors who used to heal us with herbal medicine. I will also ask for manpower to train government employees and our students to be doctors, scientists, behavioral specialists, college professors, entrepreneurs and educated politicians. I believe if we have all these, we won’t have any problems working with others to make this world a better place to live in.”
Wishing everyone in the CNMI and whoever is reading a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
WINNIE ATALIG
San Jose, Tinian
