Enough with career politicians!

Career politicians have done more than enough damage! The passing of HLB 17-44, the casino bill, was done in such a questionable, deceptive, disrespectful, and scandalous way. It is outright wrong in so many levels!

Casino debate aside, let the people decide! Why were they so adamant in passing this local bill instead of letting the people’s voices be heard? Do you view your constituents in such inferiority that we are unable to decide for ourselves? Yep, like many instances before, more money that we don’t have will end up being used in litigation that could have been prevented if things were just done the right way and in line with what the people deserve.

A lawmaker was quoted as saying, “casino is the only way.” The only way to what? For the select few to one way or another personally gain while the people stand and watch their island continue to deteriorate? As if our reputation hasn’t been tainted enough by the garment industry, labor controversies, prostitution rings, connection to Washington D.C. political corruption, etc.,…and now casinos?! We talk about how tourism is our most important industry and we’ll all be doomed as the visitor numbers drop. Well, it doesn’t seem like our government is all that concerned. Our tourist attractions are in such disrepair that some of them actually do more harm than good in terms of an “attraction.”

I’d like to list a few government savings and revenue generating ideas that have been tossed around with little or no action at all from our legislators:

1. Pass legislation to minimize the number of House and Senate members (and better yet, create a unicameral legislature) before the next election.

2. Eliminate the Municipal Council and distribute their duties to the Mayor’s Office and various central department agencies.

3. Do not renew the many government leases that house offices in private buildings. There are many abandoned government buildings around the island that could be used. Why haven’t ARRA funds been used for this? We are unnecessarily paying rent! While ugly government buildings scar the “tropical paradise” image we so heavily depend on.

4. Enforce strict rules in the use of government vehicles to save gas money. Far too many government vehicles are being used for personal matters.

5. Performance review to potentially replace incompetent workers in charge of spending the millions in unused CIP and ARRA funds!

6. Do I need to bring up the issue of leased government vehicles by our elected officials? How about the people paying for the governor’s huge power bill? If a tiny three-bedroom house is paying a $300-plus power/water bill, can you imagine how much we’re paying for the governor’s mansion? It’s not a secret that the governor is a pretty wealthy man. If his main reason for becoming governor was to “help the people,” why is he leeching off of us? He should give up his salary and perks until he has successfully reeled us out of this economic crisis.

1. Develop a viable agricultural industry to export millions of dollars worth of goods to Guam and beyond.

2. Invest $600,000, which is needed to maintain administrative duties required for the national food stamp program. We need to help feed our people in need, now! Taxes will be paid and an increase in spending will pay for that $600,000 and then some! Most importantly of all, many families can sleep at night not worrying about going hungry!

3. Again, these aren’t new! These are things that have been tossed around for a while now, but unfortunately, our legislators and administration have other more pressing issues to deal with: like casinos and trips around the world—at our expense!

And as a suggestion, it is only right for our legislative and executive “leaders” to be held responsible for their inaction and reckless ways of running our government. Although long overdue, I ask that the Legislature hold town hall meetings to meet with their constituents and hear us out. We have so many intelligent minds in this community, but our elected officials refuse to listen.

I call on all “career politicians” to step down immediately and make way for the new generation to pave the path to our future. You’ve had your turn. You did such a terrible job. Thanks, but no thanks. Your old-fashioned way of conducting business is hurting our community. Basic necessities like health care (CHC) and electricity (CUC) continue to be less than acceptable and closer to nonexistent. Look around you… we’ve had enough! Give us a chance to fix all the wrongs and hopefully save the CNMI from destruction.