ensuring that tourists will have such a pleasant stay here that they will be these islands’ walking advertisements who will spread the word about the CNMI’s tropical allures. Everyone, moreover, is saying that keeping the islands clean and green is one surefire way of attracting more tourists.
Everyone, in short, is talking. Anyone out there actually walking the talk?
The argument that all this is the government’s job flies in the face of the fact that the people are the government, and that the changes and the policies we say are badly needed can only be implemented if we, the members of the community, will make it happen.
We can, for example, join the volunteer groups conducting regular cleanups and tree planting activities, not only at beaches and other tourist spots, but also in the villages. There is no doubt that ordinary residents can do a better job of maintaining the natural beauty and the cleanliness of their surroundings.
All of us can help beautify the islands, in our own small ways. All of us can enhance the CNMI’s island-style attractions.
It is also in endeavors like this that guest worker groups advocating for better immigration status can show their appreciation for the community that has given them, as they themselves admit, so much. Many members of the local community are either indifferent or are resentful of these groups’ goal, which is to get something much, much more out of the privilege of being allowed to work here. Showing that they really care for these islands by helping to keep it clean and safe is one of the ways these groups can show their gratitude to a place they have called home for years now.
In this time of worsening crisis, the CNMI needs everyone’s help. We already know what the problems are. Let’s do what must be done. No one else will do it for us.
Don’t abandon the NMI
THE exodus of local residents continues. Who can blame them? They have families to feed and obligations to fulfill. There is nothing here but a dying private sector, a bankrupt government, feckless politicians, inept leaders, rising prices, dwindling opportunities.
They have to leave, but, we hope, not for good. This is, after all, their home. They have to show concern for their islands. They have to return and join the very few, the happy few who, against tremendous odds, are now trying to implement real change.
The CNMI, more than ever, needs its sons and daughters who have been educated and who have worked in the real world where merit is rewarded and virtue is an asset. They must come back and help create a new and better CNMI.
School’s out
AND we all know what that means. There will be more unsupervised juveniles on the streets, itching to inflict mischief wherever and whenever they can. As those with long memories will recall, the primary targets of young hooligans are public schools, vacant houses, mom and pop stores, female tourists and unattended vehicles parked in remote areas.
There should be more police presence out there, true. But DPS can do an even better job if the people will also do their part by reporting suspicious activities and providing information that may help authorities prevent or solve crimes.
We should already disabuse ourselves of the unfortunate notion that we don’t need to do anything and that government — especially this bankrupt, wasteful and inefficient government — should do everything for us. It can’t.
Let’s keep our eyes open this summer, and try to be better parents, better neighbors and better members of the community.
