THE Governor is busy Poli-tricking with his efforts to “control & change the narratives of media cycles” with his Photo-ops and finger pointing the Lt. Governor is doing what he does best which is being “silent about everything” — the two trials of the Governor are still facing challenges for acquittals, as the Governor is futilely trying every-trick-in-the-book to avoid convictions. Pointing fingers at the AG’s Travel does not dissolve the First-Class tickets for the Governor’s Wife nor the many other alleged crimes as the Senate seems to be positioning itself to acquit the Governor of everything. But more importantly, neither the Governor nor Arnold are talking about our Economy and what to do about IPI, which was figuratively THEIR-BABY, which neither can deny! They don’t want to talk about these two most important issues facing the People which is why the only question now for voters is will they reward the Governor or Lt. Governor for the MESS they have made of our Economy or get rid of them once-and-for-all!!!
You would think the Lt. Governor would be the loudest in offering economic solutions given it has been his job for the last four years. But instead, he is staging PHONY Photo ops with signs saying “Democrats for AD,” which is a BIG LIE — they need to take these signs down before they end up in Court! This is the kind of “underhanded-skullduggery” Arnold & Dave will apply just to win but A&D are being silent on what matters most to voters — our Economy. It seems they’re hoping voters will buy “Rebuilding Trust” when most voters with common sense know that rebuilding trust does nothing to Rebuild our Economy. As for the Governor and his Trials, I already told readers in so many words to just sit back relax and enjoy the “Reality Shows and learn the lessons being taught” so you won’t make a mistake of voting for Senators who helped the Governor beat OUR system. And don’t forget, these events are just the “prelude of what is to come with the Feds” who will make the final statement about this Governor and a few other Republicans (Arnold & Angel) who will surely be caught in their RICO Net. It’s truly amazing to see people still wanting to follow this Governor and his Lt. when they are probably going to jail in the end. I don’t think voters would support an ordinary person wanting to run for office if they were facing Legislative, State & Federal Charges — it’s really KADUKU, as Locals might say! Their voters are going to look SO Ridiculous when the Feds arrest, prosecute & jail them!
I understand that a lot of investors, especially American Investors, don’t really have an interest in the CNMI which is why WE the People ended up in bed with “the Chinese & Russians” who are America’s ENEMIES, duh! But the main reason there is no appeal for American Investors is because our Republican Leaders have NEVER created the conditions for American Investors to be interested. The CNMI has the LOWEST minimum wages in America but these Republicans can only think “Gambling & Casino” for the past two decades when our focus should be on creating “a family destination & HEMP Manufacturing of products with Made in USA labeling.” We don’t have to re-invent the wheel just do the work as manufacturing has proven to be successful.
I want to know WHY the Governor took back thousands of dollars on people’s Stimulus Cards as there was no need and it violated the whole idea of the Stimulus helping people, especially the poor — pathetic leadership! But it’s like I used to tell my students, “the sky is the limit to being what you want-to-be, you just have to put in the work to make it happen for you.” The problem WE the People have is, Republicans can only think “Investors doing it for us” instead of “doing the work for OURSELVES.” The last real reforms in the CNMI happened when the Government decided to make Tourism our primary Economic Engine and the creation of the Garment Industry over three decades ago. Well, it’s time to introduce NEW Reforms and do the WORK to make them successful in improving the performance of our primary Tourism Economic Engine and even create an additional engine with HEMP Manufacturing like WE had with the Garment Industry. It’s really not hard to ascertain what needs to be done, the challenge is getting voters to elect leaders who will do the WORK — it’s really that simple. So, elect the People who are willing to do the work and “clean up and fix the mess made by these Republicans” as Democrats are our only option offering the best hope and chances for change and improvements — for REAL! To be continued: One people, One Direction.
The writer is an Economist, Political Scientist, retired teacher, former CNMI Board of Education Member, James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
Ambrose M. Bennett
