The anti-CNMI crusade

Despite the garment industry’s undeniable role in sustaining our depressed economy amid these dreary days of tourism collapse, certain elements of the federal government still wish to destroy the industry. They wish to do so because of the influence of the American textile unions, which have skillfully enlisted the aid of misguided human rights groups, college students, and the US media.

The American garment labor unions stubbornly refuse to relinquish their fanatical hatred for our vital garment industry. This is quite understandable, given the US textile special interest groups, desperate goal to lobby for the complete destruction of their rival competition: our highly competitive and efficient local garment industry. In this case, politics is merely a continuation of economics by other means.

The backlash against the Gap and other clothing retailers merely reflects the sensational treatment required to totally discredit the CNMI and evade the real issues of democratic local self-government and economic self-sufficiency. The US media, which tends to advance left-wing views, is only too eager to pounce on free trade and grossly sensationalize claims of abuse.

The recent 20/20 story, which portrayed the union people in very favorable terms, was just another attempt to stifle free market competition and impose protectionism under the pretexts of labor and human rights abuses, most of which are either outright false or grossly exaggerated. Indeed, the 20/20 story was a perfect example of the anti-CNMI crusade. It had all the makings of a liberal media smear job backed by a US textile labor union conspiracy against America’s freest territory–the Northern Marianas.

Our garment industry had absolutely no choice in the ongoing negative publicity directed against us. It is a victim of dastardly media smear campaigns and federal predatory tactics (such as that which has been committed by Stayman and the OIA).

Indeed, it is easy enough to discern the motives of politicians mired in protectionism and backed by their constituent labor unions, on whom their very political survival depends. It is easy to see how hungry newspaper men can seize upon a sensational, headline-grabbing story and compromise their facts. It is also easy to see how a federal oversight agency like the US Department of Interior might pine over the old days of greater paternalistic control over these islands.

When the CNMI is attacked, look to the motives of the attackers. Look at the evidence. Examine it carefully. Look at the special interests of the groups attacking us. What do they have to gain? What are they really after? It is not difficult to ascertain the motives and misconceptions of our outside detractors.