We deserve nothing less

With the timely intervention of an investigation into alleged overt political activities of operatives at the US Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs, we would soon see how the “we few” staff people have formulated a scheme of ruination not only against the CNMI, but our friends in the US Congress.

We still can’t understand how once sincere and sympathetic partners could turn against us by shouldering the agenda of a special interest group as to scrap the very essence of an agreement upon which we’ve placed our trust and confidence under the 23-year-old relationship. And it was all done with deceit when it means “more bureaucracy” aimed at completely rendering useless the republican form of government now in place in these isles.

Perhaps through blind ambition, OIA cleverly hid its real motive all wrapped in a propped-up proposal allegedly originating from the US Textile Labor Unions, to forcibly effect federal minimum wage and also deny the CNMI control over immigration. This prescription would instantly bring the apparel industry here to its death bed.
Ironically, it’s the industry that now scaffolds local needs for jobs and consistent revenue generation. Tourism and tourist-related businesses have plunged substantially since two years ago. Over 2,000 of these businesses have closed shop and gone home.

The confluence of destruction–from both sides of the Pacific–has paralyzed confidence in future investments in these isles. Shifts in federal policy often done without due consideration to the short and long-term consequences of future business expansion or investments have definitely ruined the image of these isles as an investment venue. Policy instability from within and without is what these isles are known for these days. And it would be next to impossible to repair it unless all players can take proactive and positive attitudes in rebuilding what OIA has ruined.

The consequence of a federal takeover would instantly translate into total economic meltdown. It means more US mainland taxpayers money would have to be appropriated for government operations of not less than $300 annually, discounting grant funds for capital projects. This figure ought to total more than half-a-billion dollars annually if OIA’s ill-conceived proposal had been allowed to pan through. The livelihood of our people would have been reduced to bankruptcy and helplessness.

This is the very issue that our people dread for we also believe that as part of the greater American Economic Community, we deserve nothing less than the opportunity to encourage wealth and jobs creation now being trumpeted by President Clinton. We deserve nothing less! Si Yuus Maase` yan ghilisow!