Listening to the grassroots people

I enjoy rapping with people at the grassroots level in that it offers me the grand opportunity to listen to the real voices of villagers throughout our community. These are people whose demeanor we instantly stereotype as incapable of discerning the politics of the well connected and other issues closer to home.

Hardly are they wary of the more complex issues of external influences assaulting their daily lives. But they are very conversant when expressing what politicians and bureaucrats have failed to do to improve their lot. Their voices are filled with truth about their pain as they struggle to sift through the maze of our failure to address and resolve the qualitative aspects of life in the islands. I feel for this people who, in no uncertain terms, related their views openly.

Said my Kayu Juan: “They made promises of jobs and I’m still jobless. Why make promises in the first place if they know in their hearts that I won’t be given the opportunity to find the means to support my ailing mother?” Little does my friend knows that our local government is financially strapped and must juggle funds 48 hours a day to make ends meet. I tried to explain this situation to which he said: “But why make the offer when to this date I and hundreds more locals are jobless?”

The heat in the kitchen was getting hotter and I tried to negotiate the tiny door opening when others similarly situated started voicing their future that is at best, uncertain. The sentiments of the grassroots people is a tale, friends, that Marianas politics will never be the same again. A lot has gone wrong comprised of influences not of our doing which we’ve ruinously complimented with our version of ill-conceived policies that have stifled wealth and jobs creation.

This midterm election would be a test of how frustrated voters feel about their so-called leaders. Whether we like it or not, there’s no greater target that the Republican Party who now reigns over the disposition of matters of state. Do I hear rumblings of a likely shattering of GOP solidarity for the gubernatorial race in the year 2001? The likes of my Kayu Juan and thousands of others would be there to answer the call of citizenry. Nothing looks promising insofar as the GOP’s future is concerned.

Did you say “President Bore?”

The national GOP pundits have rallied behind Texas Governor George W. Bush and two recent polls (this week) has him way ahead of presidential aspirants Elizabeth Dole and Vice President Gore, nationwide. Dole seems a bit too cautious on issues as she tries to corral the support of various prominent left wing groups.

Vice President Gore seems the victim of Clinton’s sexual scandal which has derailed him somewhat, not to mention another more formidable derailment–popularity of the GOP’s top presidential contender George W. Bush. Political columnists have spoke of Al Gore lacking the personality to retain the top national post when he and
Bush head down the final stretch. Thus, the comical query: “President Gore?” or “President Bore?” I would have to agree with the latter assessment.

In boxing lingo, Bush is the fighter in the ring who’s got his share of cuts and bruises but emerged the victor each time he exits the ring. And guess what: Al Gore is in the bleachers watching the champion slug it out with his opponent saying “awesome”. Bush is a real leader who looks more like average citizens, thus the admiration of people on both sides of the political spectrum. Gore is a clean-cut pretty fella who reminds us of a teacher and you know the feeling when you don’t do your home work. Well, anyway, if I may say so once again: George W. Bush will be the next President of the great US of A. Hail to the chief!