Elected officials, for their part, are not just gofers of their constituents. They’re also supposed to know more about the problems facing the community and to have the answers, or at least to know what questions to ask and where to find the answers. A lawmaker, moreover, is supposed to have his own opinions based on his studies and research. He’s supposed to learn from and educate his constituents and to vote on legislation based on what he believes is best for the people — even if, sometimes, they do not agree with him.
This is how an ideal representative democracy is supposed to work. The commonwealth is 33 years old only, but surely its people should, by now, expect more from their government — and from themselves.
Governance and citizenship are about making choices, and those now before the CNMI remind me of how Mario Vargas Llosa recently described Peru’s presidential runoff: “a choice between AIDS and terminal cancer.”
CNMI politicians win elections for promising to be Santa Claus: someone who can be “approached” for just about anything: jobs, money, contracts, beer, betelnut, road paving, disconnected power, water, picnic tables and tents.
But the economy has tanked and instead of telling the truth about the government’s financial condition and imposing real austerity measures that target waste and redundancy while protecting critical public services, CNMI officials govern as if it’s still Christmas everyday — at least for political supporters. Political hiring continues, now with the help of federal funds. Officials still travel abroad “to bring in tourists and new investors.” They’re still wasting public funds on cell phones, new cars, office equipment, utilities. And they’re still running on a platform of delusions. That all this, for example, will continue under their leadership, especially if Saipan legalizes casino or pot or if the military finally comes to Tinian. They can’t, or refuse to do the math but they’re still selling snake oil, and people are still buying it.
I find it amazing that voters who can patiently and firmly explain to their kids why they can’t have this or that act like kids whenever they seek favors from politicians: they don’t take no for an answer; they throw temper tantrums; and they believe the new liar, I mean candidate, who shows up at their door.
Those who tell the truth, who refuse to buy votes or waste taxpayer money can’t win elections.
But as I’ve said, the CNMI can no longer avoid making tough choices. Your leaders, however, can’t make them if you, the voters, won’t make them.
You say you want scholarships, medical referrals and adequate funding for PSS and NMC. Fine. They can be adequately funded — but at the cost of shutting down dozens of useless government offices and laying off their personnel. You’ve to choose which is more important.
You say you want to pay less for electricity. There is only one sure and quick way to do that right now. Reduce your power consumption. Or if you can’t live without an A/C then cut your other personal and household expenses. List all of them. Check what you can do without. And do without them. It’s your choice.
You say the government should pay its CUC bills. Then demand massive cuts in its personnel costs which, again, will mean layoffs. Your call.
There is always a choice. But it is you who have to choose. You can have one or the other. The CNMI’s problems are getting worse because you keep electing politicians who keep promising both — and you keep believing them.
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