Analysis President Clinton’s policy on jobs creation: Does it apply to the Northern Marianas too?

A genius at selling his borrowed ideas (from Republicans in Congress) to the American public, President Clinton has talked almost endlessly about pushing jobs creation to the limits so that the unemployed can make something of themselves in his Welfare to Work Program.

It was a gradual climb to attaining the American Dream for anybody who has decided to make “America the Beautiful” his home regardless of whether your skin is yellow, red, white, black or brown.

Jobs creation, however, can only bear fruition if government policies positively influence opportunities in wealth creation or lasting investments. You first must have wealth fully established and thriving in order for jobs creation to kick in. The progression is never the other way around.

But as we listen to the thundering message of President Clinton’s pitch for jobs creation, we are often taken aback as we quiz whether such policy includes minorities and US Citizens outside mainstream America.

Most people out in the islands feel such a policy also includes their fate in an archipelago that isn’t endowed with natural resources like those found in resources-wealthy countries. It is common knowledge that the tourism industry here has crumbled on basically every corner. Thousands of businesses have shut their doors and headed home. Others are quick to follow suit before their last penny in their savings accounts are depleted.

The only other major industry that appreciably sustains economic activities in the islands is garment manufacturing. It has had a painful history so maligned by the Western press in irresponsible fashion where stories are sensationalized and far removed from what’s know in the business as responsible journalism. It was the epitome of yellow journalism forced down our throats with impugnity or arrogance.

Some were asked to clamp down on sweatshops in New York, but have refused to do so. It goes to illustrate that their mission out here was more search and destroy and a stint under our sun, sea and sand, never mind the consequence of yellow journalism.

Now there looms a lawsuit all designed to permanently bring our last major industry to its death knell. It isn’t surprising at all if the architect of this insidious litigation is attached to the US Department of Interior. It isn’t surprising too that the labor union who has supported the re-election of our detractors in the US
Congress has funneled millions of dollars to kill what the Associated Press dubbed as “Little David”. It is indeed an insidious plan so disruptive (if it pans through) that would force a complete meltdown of the local economy.

The garment industry is responsible for more than 3,000 non-garment jobs here for both sectors. It has encouraged the establishment or support businesses, including the growth of the shipping industry in recent years. But all these investments may have to be closed down if the impending frivolous lawsuit successfully scares suppliers and retailers from staying with our local garment industry. Beyond this industry, what else is there other than an ailing tourism industry reeling from the ravaging assaults of the Asian crisis?

Therefore, it would seem a responsible thing to do, Mr. President, to tell your emissaries of destruction to return to their cubicles to ponder the consequence of their bent agenda to render our garment industry in permanent ruination. The ball is still in your side of the court to ensure that your pronouncement about jobs creation becomes an inclusive federal policy for this group of US Citizens situated in remote or outside mainstream America. We too want nothing more than the same opportunities extended to other fellow Americans in the US mainland. We are, after all, as much an integral part of the so-called American Political Family. As such, we don’t deserve being treated as America’s illegitimate children.

Finally, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure the underlying motive of the US Department of Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs in this continuing and mindless effort to topple an industry that now feeds thousands of families here. It would translate to joblessnes, far removed from your goal of “Welfare to Work” program. It would translate to abject poverty which will definitely further translate to more nickels and dimes from US mainland taxpayers. We doubt it that such is your goal. The NMI also wants more jobs creation via wealth creation.