Leadership in troubled waters

As a continuing student of government, I was privileged to witness the birth of our bicameral legislature in 1978. I’ve seen people at the helm come and go, but I must admit that nobody has come close to matching the real leadership abilities of former Speakers Oscar C. Rasa, Mitch Pangelinan and Benigno R. Fitial.

These are men of substance who had no follies of their responsibilities. They literally worked the clock to set in motion the machinery of government and requisite policies that enhance wealth and jobs creation. What they have established as foundation was subsequently been battered by ill-conceived or meaningless changes hardly the beneficiary of forethought. Most are ad hoc measures that eventually translated into strangling protectionist policies.

I’ve had hopes that we would eventually reach the political maturation process where issues are considered on their merits by visionaries. That sense of optimism was consistently dashed over the last 20 years by shortsighted measures that make their way through both chambers. The political maturation process has in fact, regressed. Or is it that I’m expecting too much from a political brigade who are themselves riddled with immaturity, therefore, the obvious lack of perception of the task at hand? I yearn for leadership from both sides of the street.

But not all hope is lost in my constant search for real leadership. Sadly, though, I was only able to pin my hopes on two people, one each from both chambers. They are Representative Heinz Hofschneider and Senator Pete P. Reyes. There are others, but can’t count past my first set of fingers. But let me share why the two gentlemen after sizing-up the rest of the bunch.

Hofschneider is a visionary who sees the larger picture in most every instances. He knows and understands economics which puts him ahead of the pack. He studies and diagnosis problems and offers reasoned solutions much like a good physician examining a patient before recommending the appropriate treatment. He reads his materials and understands, inside out what each document contains. Furthermore, he knows how to follow patterns of inconsistency in written statements and documents presented his committee. Most others would miss the boat entirely for failure to reviewing their materials. Well, at least we have a member of the legislature who reads his materials which I find pleasantly reassuring.

Senator Reyes is also my hero in the sense that he too can see the larger picture, specifically, the very essence of our rights to self-government. Like Hofschneider, he reads his materials and engages in extended research on his own to get a better feel of fiction versus non-fiction. He’s the most outspoken among senators in protecting the rights of the Northern Marianas at wealth and jobs creation as part of the American Economic Community. He attracted my attention since 1993 when he questioned (while were discussing strategy against a federal takeover) “who suffers the consequences of ill-founded policies” made in absentia. He didn’t know it, but I’ve included him in my list as a top-ranking leader.

Indeed, the two gentlemen may have stepped on toes, sensitive toes where the superficial beauty of shiny nail polish may have been cracked and ruined. Some may be licking their wounds for the gentlemen may have bruised their ego in an empire or dynasty that has gone unchallenged for years. But this is the role of real leadership–bringing albeit difficult–the real issues behind recurring problems that have stifled opportunities for others or the masses. Biba Heinz and biba Pete! At least the confidence you’ve given those of us in the wings have allowed for some restful evening when we call it a day.