Editorials

Well? THE local spending measures signed into law last week by the outgoing governor will fund a municipal scholarship program, other government offices, Little League baseball, a beach bathroom, a basketball court, road improvement, flood control, and various other projects and programs on Saipan.…

Government is to public funds as gasoline is to fire THE fatal “defect” of the BOOST program is that while everyone can apply, not everyone will receive a grant. “Free” money amounting to $17 million is not enough in an election year. Take note, moreover, that not a single one of the CNMI’s many la…

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.  …

Legislation and governance ACCORDING to one of its members, the incoming Legislature wants to “fix” the CNMI’s “problems.” Sure. After all, that’s the job they signed up for. But now that the election is over, they have to be more specific. Which of the CNMI’s problems are they referring to? And ho…

As old as new NOW that the election year’s political argument has been settled by voters, we expect the incoming administration to retain its predecessor’s policies and programs that are “meaningful and impactful.” We’re pretty sure the governor-elect and lt. governor-elect know what these are. Lik…

In praise of the election commission COUNTING the votes cast in a democratic election should be quick and easy especially in this high-tech world — but not really, as the recent experience of “the world’s oldest democracy,” the U.S., shows. (From the BBC, Nov. 10, 2022: “Days after US voters cast t…

Now or never? Not really. IF you know who to vote for, and why, then you don’t need a reminder to “go out and vote.” However, if you don’t want to vote for whatever reason, then that’s your right, too. No worries. In every election year, we’ll be subjected to the usual “it’s-now-or-never/most-impor…

Not the first time  UNDER current law, the Independent group led by the Palacios-Apatang tandem is not a “recognized political party.” Hence, they are “not statutorily authorized to submit a recommended list of poll workers” to the Commonwealth Election Commission. But the Independents are now in a…

All together now IT was, generally speaking, a smooth election. As usual, there were long lines on Election Day, but imagine how longer they could be without the week-long early voting period. At any rate, it was another orderly and peaceful election — a tremendous blessing (denied to many other de…

Words, words, words  IN an election year, many politicians will say many things that many voters want to hear. Hence, many candidates are “for” the economy which they want to “improve” and “reinvigorate.” How? Usually, by making more statements that many of us agree with — and have heard before. Di…