Chillling bad times
I feel a strange chill running up my spine as we head toward the end of this millennium. The crisis ridden economy would worsen before it gets any better while bureaucrats and politicians pine for answers, any answer!
It isn’t the fault of the powers that be that the Asian Crisis continues to viciously assault the local economy basically premised on the fickle tourism industry. But we certainly can huddle under a single roof to attempt arresting the beast before it overtakes most businesses here.
Indeed, it must be mind numbing for the man at the top trying to sail the stormy and rough seas of revenue decline against the surging tide for more of it. I can sense the feeling of sadness when Governor Teno` considers the hardship that families must endure as a result of the worsening economic crisis demanding reduction in work hours.
Nonetheless, not all hope is lost in this deafening, if not, fatal crisis. When the next hearing in Washington is held, it is our solemn duty to articulate the fragility of island economies when assaulted by external influences, i.e., the Asian Contagion. It is also our solemn duty to articulate the agility of the lead federal agency ready and willing to ruin our livelihood even as the Clinton administration boasts of the “economic good times” and the lack of equal application of such federal policy of wealth and jobs creation.
It must also be pointed out in greater detail how the US Department of Interior’s destructive interference would have sent these islands and its people 30 years back before the establishment of self-government. It is also vital that we impress upon the Murkowski Committee to allow government to reside in the governance. After all, dictated policy that often excludes the sentiment of the local governance is by no means keeping the essence of the Covenant Agreement that grants the NMI guaranteed self-government.
That certain mediocre Interior officials may be jobless soon (given that most insular governments are self-governing) is no reason whatsoever to attempt compromising the very essence of self-government to ascertain and perpetuate another decade of lording over these isles. Such an agenda or destructive interference in the local affairs of the NMI is far removed from our placing our visions, complete trust and hope in forging stronger relationship.
Let us impress upon Uncle Sam to guard against the proliferation of Pinto Boys going wild in their limited role as to assume that they too can inflict policies solely the purview of the US Congress. Outgoing OIA helmsman Allen Stayman committing the US Congress to the infamous deal on the Impact of the Compact is a sterling example of violating an authority solely reserved for Congress.
Finally, this relationship can improve if and, only if, the Pinto Boys can exit their 19th Century mentality of the old TTG days when Interior literally dictated policy while we learn difficult lessons in the exercise of forging a strong republican form of government. Now, if any of the Pinto Boys wish to have the red carpet rolled-out once more, well, take the long flight to Navassa Island and try catching fresh bird droppings. You deserve because that’s the way the indigenous people see you in their naked eyes. Happy Bird Droppings!
