FAC!
A CNMI lawmaker said people are “suffering” from high prices, but their salaries “have not been raised.”
Let’s — to quote a former governor who couldn’t — do the math. High prices — of fuel, electricity, basic commodities, etc. — affect everyone or almost everyone, including employers. Based on the lawmaker’s suggestion — wildly popular, to be sure — the same employers who have to pay more for fuel, electricity, etc. should also pay their workers more. That’s the private sector which also has to deal with the public sector which confiscates other people’s money and calls it taxation so it can pay its employees much more — especially in an election year.
Where will the struggling private sector get the money for pay raises? Increase prices? Downsize and/or lay off workers?
Basic economics and economic data can explain why fuel prices are rising. But in politics, as a politician once said, demagoguery beats data.
In any case, CNMI lawmakers believe that there is “something the Legislature and the executive branch can do” in response to the recent increases in the FAC or Fuel Adjustment Charge. They’re right. What they can do is provide ratepayers with subsidies. Funding source? ARPA, of course. But what if the remaining ARPA funds have already been “committed” to the other expenses of the CNMI government? Which departments, agencies, programs — and their employees — should “suffer” so CUC ratepayers won’t?
You may want to re-read this editorial’s title.
All praise to the NMPMG2022
FROM June 17 to 25, the NMI hosted, for the first time, the Pacific Mini Games, and perhaps for the first time in a long time, pure joy was widespread and contagious in the Commonwealth, and this time, in a very good way.
In the region’s sporting world for over a week, all eyes were on the NMI amid lingering concerns about the Covid-19 pandemic and the global financial uncertainty. But the NMI pulled it off.
“There has been nothing but praise for the manner in which you all performed,” Pacific Games Council President Vidhya Lakhan told the PMG host. “I thank the people of the NMI and the hundreds of local and overseas volunteers for the part you all played in making this a success. You rose to the challenge and made us all proud.”
“Saipan is beautiful,” said Papua New Guinea gold medalist and weightlifting star Dika Toua. “These Mini Games have brought up the standard in the Pacific because the accommodation is brilliant…. The people are lovely and welcoming — I feel at home.”
Backed by the CNMI government, business establishments, local sports federations, volunteers and other members of this community, the Mini Games’ organizing committee exhibited a level of all-around competence that was truly impressive.
As for the stars of the event, the athletes — they were superb. The thrill of victory, yes, but there was also cordiality in defeat. The athleticism, the sportsmanship and the camaraderie were inspiring. And the NMI, as usual, was a gracious, welcoming, generous host.
Solid gold.
