A sorry state

Governor Pedro P. Tenorio reported on the state of the commonwealth last week. As usual, the governor was trying to put the best possible face on a very grim situation. Unfortunately, he did not succeed.

The state of the CNMI is lousy–and we all know it. Our tourism numbers are still down. Businesses are still suffering. The local government is still mired in a deep financial deficit. Threats of a federal takeover are still looming over our heads. ABC’s 20/20 just hit us with a devastating smear piece. The Chinese boat people on Tinian are bleeding our government dry, and the feds still haven’t even reimbursed us for the Micronesian influx impact.

The CNMI is in trouble, and this sad situation is made still even worse by inept political leadership. We have seen politicians embrace protectionist policies–policies which only serve to further undermine our economy in the midst of the Asian financial crisis which has so pummeled our local tourism industry.

Merely consider the destructive regulations that have been put into effect. To this day, the legislature still stubbornly refuses to overturn the damaging Foreign Investment Act–a policy which has done so much to discourage investment capital from flowing freely into our troubled economy. Costly health regulations have been enacted. A three-year worker limit has been imposed. A highly restrictive labor moratorium went into effect. For the first time in our history, we now have an estate tax. Politicians are also calling for price controls. The cost of doing business in the CNMI has increased substantially. And the government still speaks of “master plans,” zoning regulations, and other features of a centrally planned economy.

The CNMI is clearly in a depression, and it will still be in a depression next year–unless we do something to radically alter the situation.

I suggest that we throw the rascals out. We have an opportunity to do so in this upcoming mid-term November election. Fire the incumbents and install fresh, new leadership, preferably one that is open to a truly market based economy.

Think of Anicia Tomokane and other Reform Party candidates. Think of Ben Fitial and Eloy Inos. Think of anybody but the current crop of bankrupt political leadership.

Maybe that way, next year won’t be quite as bad.

Strictly a personal view. Charles Reyes Jr. is a regular columnist of Saipan Tribune. Mr. Reyes may be reached at charlesraves@hotmail.com