Ambrose M. Bennett
THE Truth is I’m learning that OUR Tax money has been allocated to J&P Holdings, not just Micronesia Air Connection Service (MACS), but ALL J&P Businesses & Personal Income among other perks. This qualifying certificate is not just about the airline but an abatement to cover 100% of J&P’s Taxes on 17 Business owned by J&P, as some already operate in Guam & Saipan with more to come, which can easily be in the100s of millions over 22 years! WE are being FORCED to foolishly give away millions for “ONLY a PROMISE” — a rip-off deal, by Arnold. So don’t be surprised if Arnold retires in Hawaii where J&P is based if he gets away with this scam! I knew the fix was in-play and they avoided the “monopoly violation of Federal Antitrust Law” by overlooking the Fee dispute and allowing Star Marianas to remain in business. However, I’m sure the People & leaders didn’t know that other businesses beyond the airline were also getting the same abatement of their taxes in this application, as voters need to call their Representative or Feds NOW!
Furthermore, it’s just like the Casino, as 22 years of our Taxes without any form of OUR official consent not even by our Representatives in the House is a violation of OUR Rights in the CNMI’s Constitution to use OUR money unless APPROVED by the House who holds our purse. CPA & the Governor have clearly violated the Federal Interstate Act Laws like the “Dormant Clause” that prevents states from interfering with Airline funding, as WE can’t even charge Airlines our BGR Tax. BUT CPA is trying to offset this with their own made-up fees that are not fair nor in compliance with the Feds, hurting the potential for more flights. Furthermore, whatever a state does for one airline they MUST grant the same to ALL the airlines on the same rout(s), as creating an “unlevel playing field for ONE business is ILLEGAL! Federal Commence Law is something we teach in high school economics about monopolies & commerce in America — duh!!!
I’m sure there are many citizens who want to know HOW & WHO gave CEDA & the Governor the RIGTH to give OUR TAX DOLLARS away for all of J&P Holdings without our consent. I’ve been telling readers the Cannabis, Casino and CEDA aren’t worth a “penny” and now CEDA approve this scheme to use OUR money to start an airline and avoid ALL taxes — what a rip-off for TRUE! MACS hasn’t guaranteed the People anything on paper,” just promise of lower fares.” WHAT are WE the People getting out of this for the next 22 years is the question our leaders in the House needs to get answers to beyond this “cheaper ticket BS.” WHAT are the guarantees FOR all the People who pay taxes, WHAT is the deal for Medical Referral — is it for all patients for free or what that needs to be stipulated in writing, as the Governor is selling ALL of us OUT! Our taxes must be agreed to BY the People or at least by our Representatives in the House, not CEDA. WE can’t give away 22 years of an unknown amount in taxes on a promise, which is DUMB! WE the People are being taken for a 22 year long ride with NO Guarantees and NO IDEA of what WE get out of the deal! This story is not going to end well, as WE the People will be Royally SCREWED-for TRUE! I’m just praying Star Marianas will sue in Federal Court to save us ALL in this scheme that is being FORCED down our throats just like they did with the casino, and WE see how that evil scheme turned out! I will also be calling the Feds on this violation of Federal Law FOR the People & the Airline who are being ripped-off!
The House is supposed to be the “guardians of All of OUR money” but it is clear they are turning a “blind-eye to this MACS scheme to use OUR taxes to build an airline,” just like Arnold turned a blind-eye to Ralph’s schemes. If the airline was going to be owned BY the People it would be a different story, however the Government is getting in bed with a private business in this venture creating a “competitive advantage for MACS over Starr Marianas” which is ILLEGAL! If the government is to subsidize, it should be across the board with both airlines to create a “level playing field of competition,” as competition drives prices DOWN, which is the goal. The Legislature just rubberstamped the budget that illegally paid the Casino Commission and now they seem to be intent on just letting CEDA take control of THEIR duties & OUR Tax Dollars without any form of checks & balances nor oversight. This will surely come back to haunt the House for not taking the necessary steps to GUARANTEE benefits FOR the People they represent. Like my fellow Activist Rev. Al Sharpton, “I (Ambrose) keep giving Dems the Ball and if they can’t score it’s on the Party & WE need a new team” save-1!
If the Legislature approves the use of OUR Tax money, then it’s OK to give the tax abatement because it will then be a matter for the courts & voters to decide on “what they’ve done or failed to do”! But Star Marianas should not be forced to face an “unlevel playing field created by the CNMI Government FOR MACS” violating Federal Interstate Commerce Law. If our Legislature Does-Not step forward to conduct the necessary oversight on the appropriation of OUR Taxes FOR the People, it may really take the Feds AGAIN to step in and put an end to this scheme to use OUR Tax money like they did with Ralph! Just like with Ralph, if Arnold can get away with this injustice there will surely be more to follow like BOOST, as “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice EVERYWHERE,” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.! Please HELP Feds, they’re ripping us off again! FYI readers, we lost a good man, Mr. Joe Cruz the former GM at Star Marianas, as he was surely overcome by the undue stress of this matter — prayers for his wife & family!
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 in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
