Need to change paradigms The Issue: The conventional belief that we expand the size of government isn’t the way to a prosperous Marianas in the next millennium. Our View: It rests in wealth and jobs creation which collective leadership must

We must begin to learn the basic premise that government isn’t in the business of making profits. It is merely there to dispose of our taxes with some sense of accountability and in working with all sectors to make these isles a better place to live.

As such, there’s also the obvious need for leaders to begin the long journey to changing old attitudes that everything is government. Therefore, the gradual strengthening of the political patronage system that encourages non-productivity among the citizenry.

Wealth and jobs creation should and must be the collective focus of leadership in the first quarter of the next millennium. It means the complete revamping of ill-conceived investment policies and other policies that have been imposed with impunity only to stifle private sector growth and expansion. If you disagree, then take a quick glimpse into the number of applicants per job opening in both sectors. On average, it is 70 people-plus looking for meaningful employment.

But wealth creation–the establishment of lasting and thriving investments in the Northern Marianas Community–must transcend the usual feel good political rhetoric. It has to have a purpose and beginning and we can start by bringing all pertinent sectors together to chart the socio-economic plan of these isles today. And we must first review arcane policies that have worked against us in recent years.

For instance, conventional wisdom in education and health must be given room to accommodate the demands of new technological advances. Education should and must include rudimentary lessons in investment. This course is offered in schools in the US, Japan, Germany and East Asia. It is a must if we are to succeed in changing the legacy of failure by the US Department of Interior where we’ve looked at government as the holy grail for all our needs. Such complacency must change forthwith!

In short, the collective wisdom of leadership must focus on investment and the resolve to deal with the labyrinth of issues that it will require to change attitude or old paradigms that no longer work. Imagine the benefits that we would reap if only we could get our acts together. Imagine the emergence of hundreds of meaningful jobs as a direct result of wealth creation. This is what we mean when we speak of wealth and jobs creation. Si Yuus Maase`!