Blessed
LIVING in a democratic society is one of the greatest blessings known to humanity, but it is usually taken for granted by many of us who have not experienced authoritarian rule.
In a democracy, we have the freedom to live our lives the way we want to live as long we don’t violate the law. We can freely choose our leaders in a free election held regularly. And we have the freedom to disagree with or even complain against them, to air our concerns and grievances publicly, and to hold our leaders accountable. In a democratic society, moreover, the rule of law and due process are sacred. They protect us from our irrational emotions in times of fear and uncertainty. They are our bulwarks against abuse of power — and mob rule.
Despite the political theatrics and fits of hysterics (amplified by social media) throughout this election year, the CNMI Constitution, once again, proved to be a steady and reliable guide. And voters, as usual, have the final word.
Not too shabby for a 44-year-old democracy.
Go get ‘em
HOUSE members are looking into the BOOST program and are expected to come up with a report. The FBI is also seeking more information about the federally funded program that provides financial assistance to local businesses and non-government organizations.
In short, a formal investigation is ongoing, and the legal process is unfolding. If there is wrongdoing it will be uncovered, and the responsible parties will be held accountable, but they will also have their day in court if it comes to that. Rule of law. Due process.
The BOOST program’s funding source is the American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA which is part of the federal government’s “nearly $6 trillion [in] loans, grants, direct checks and other emergency assistance” to a Covid-battered nation.
According to the Washington Post, however, “there are lingering questions as to whether it benefited those who needed it the most. And the aid continues to be a ripe target for criminals nationwide, the full extent of which is only beginning to come to light”:
“In Stamford, Conn., a 46‐year‐old resident pleaded guilty after putting a portion of $4 million in coronavirus aid toward the purchase of a Porsche. And a Mercedes. And a BMW.
“In Somerset, N.J., a 51‐year‐old woman allegedly invented employees, inflated wages and fabricated entire tax filings to collect $1 million in loans.
“And in St. Petersburg, Fla., a federal judge sentenced to prison a 63‐year‐old man who obtained $800,000 on behalf of businesses that did not exist.”
Citing information from the U.S. Department of Labor, CNBC reported that “more than $163 billion in pandemic-era unemployment benefits was likely issued in error, with a big chunk due to fraud….” USDOL acknowledged that “nearly half of pandemic unemployment benefits may have been improperly paid with one in five dollars going to fraudsters.”
Tongue in cheek, David Boaz of the libertarian Cato Institute wrote that “understandably, federal agencies moved ‘with lightning speed’…to get this aid out to businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic, without putting into place ‘a wide array of policies that might have prevented significant waste, fraud and abuse.’ Maybe it was worth it. If you believe that checks written on empty bank accounts kept the economy from collapsing, then you may just accept a high incidence of waste, fraud, and abuse as part of the cost. ‘It’s inevitable,’ says the [liberal] Brookings Institution. And after all, the fellow who bought the luxury cars was putting a lot of money into car dealerships, and the woman who collected a cool million probably spent it. That’s stimulus!”
