Federalization and racism

As a resident of the CNMI, it’s very disturbing to hear how Mr. Ken Govendo is a very strong advocate on federal control over local labor, immigration and the minimum wage.

I for one believe that if the United States spent millions of dollars in the bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, so that the people of Kosovo could exercise their right to self-government, then we should too.

It’s very unfortunate that the United States failed to recognize the mass killings of millions of people in Rwanda, but yet somehow managed to do so in Kosovo. What kind of mixed message is the United States and Ken Govendo sending to us? Is self-government based on color and skin? Is self- government equal to white skin?

I for one hate to wake up one morning and realize that a bombing campaign is occurring in the garment factories and night clubs under the direction of Mr. Ken Govendo (Pacific Ground Forces Commander), and George Miller (Commander of Californian Garment District Forces), pressuring the local people to accept federalization.

Mr. Govendo should stop making outrageous inferences on how the island would be best served. The United States took almost 50 years to raise their minimum wage to the current wage level in the CNMI. The CNMI should not rely on tourism as a sole source of income to rescue the economy. As long as other countries and islands have beaches and blue skies, we cannot keep marketing the island from this perspective.

The CNMI government has only been in existence for a period of 20 years. We cannot afford to relinquish control of our labor, immigration and minimum wage to the federal government. We are entitled to our right to exist in this world and exercise our right to self-government.

Person like Mr. Govendo should relocate back to mainland China and become an advocate for human rights. If not, then move to Bird Island where the daily smell of bird droppings can enlighten your ludicrous suggestions of a federal takeover.

Danny Aquino