Ambrose M. Bennett
THE Truth is, “there are some difficult days ahead” and now more than ever WE the People need & deserve genuine leadership that is dedicated to the “People”! Coming to the CNMI from the mainland provided me a “panoramic view of the CNMI Socially, Economically and Politically,” as seeing the forest from the outside is a far better view than from the inside and not being able to see the forest for the trees. This perspective provided me with a genuine “baseline knowledge,” which is why it has been so heartbreaking to see the CNMI continuing to decline over a two-decade period with no potential change in this decline in sight. I’m sure there are many who have no choice but to agree with this critical assessment of the CNMI’s decline under Republicans. So WHY does the majority continue to vote the same GOP way for the Same-O waiting for ghost investors to show up and No Economic Recovery Plan!
I’ve discussed with one of the founders of the CNMI about the major mistake was “assuming the CNMI could be something UNIQUE in the American Family,” as America is about Equality for ALL with the plethora of different cultures taking a backseat to LAWS! The assumption that the local culture can RULE over the Supreme Laws of our nation was indeed misleading and a very bad idea, as trying to set the conditions for only locals to prosper while the other American citizens suffer has proven to be an unachievable goal and even MALICIOUS in nature! This ideology of being “unique” is one of the prime variables (reasons) the CNMI can’t move forward economically, as the Republicans’ mindset has been “to find investors to do it for the CNMI” when “the old-fashioned American way is to Do the Work & Build It and They Will Come.” In fact, WE were forced to get on the Republicans Casino Merry-go-round to nowhere for the past two decades and WE still haven’t gotten completely off. However, virtually no new initiatives nor reforms to improve and/or change the existing Tourism Industry & Infrastructure, as I can’t assert how important it is for our Economic Growth that WE change our outdated WWII model and expand our Economic Base with NEW????, but that requires real work, and our Republicans are about power and down-right lazy about working!
For nearly two decades the People have complained about corruption, nepotism & favoritism yet Arnold still committed nepotism with Joe Palacios & violated his own pledge of TRUST by attempting to violate Federal ANTI-TRUST Law with the MACS scheme —WOW! What is it going to take to at least wake up the Dems & the majority of voters because if you didn’t feel the shock & disappointment with the Governor’s nepotism & racketeering scheme then maybe you need to check your ethical pulse that might be DEAD! Arnold is even giving us “doubletalk” implying “the CNMI is SAFE from Trump and that he did a good job in surviving and meeting its obligations” despite the “overcommitted” American Rescue Plan Act. But most People with common sense KNOW “Trump will stab you in the back after smiling in your face” and our Economy is far WORST than it was when Arnold took office. Arnold is deflecting & gaslighting with FAKE progress, as to WHAT goals he claims to have achieved, when OUR Economy is continuing to decline. Even the 902 Talks of Arnold are misleading offering nothing definitive because there is NO plan to be carried out — just BEGGING for $s & courting Trump like Ralph did and WE know how that turned out.
There is also the Klu Klux Trump Administration, as I wish I could see the faces of Blacks who campaigned & supported Trump when they learned Trump “BANNED EVERY Black Recognition in America,” in their faces with his knife plunging through their backs! WE should all be concerned about our future, as I know Arnold said WE don’t have to worry about Medicaid and Nutrition Assistance Program but for TRUE Trump’s uncertainty makes nothing safe! The Governor and our Delegate are obviously not working in concert, as Fred Radewagen, is the Governor’s & the People’s Washington Adviser, which is why WE the People need to & deserve to know about this “unorthodox political arrangement in Washington.” WE are supposed to be “cutting costs & saving,” especially when WE have a Delegate to advise the Governor on D.C. I’m sure many voters will agree some kind of “Report FOR the People from the Governor’s Adviser is warranted,” especially if he is “lobbying FOR the Governor” because WE the People are paying him an annual salary — it’s called being held Accountable & Respectful to YOUR People Governor!
A final note of great news from D. C. is the DNC has just elected a new leader in Ken Martin who was chosen mainly because he is well known as a real “FIGHTER,” which is what Political Scientist Doctorates ordered! Senators & Representatives in the House are also now pledging to FIGHT the KKT Administration and I can only pray our Dems will take note and stop the foolishness & doing nothing and start “Doing Something” like Michell said, to Fight FOR the People in the CNMI!
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.
