Bullish on Ben

I am sure looking forward to the inauguration of Congressman Ben Fitial next month. Whether he actually becomes House Speaker or not—and I hope he does–I believe Mr. Fitial brings much needed vigor, optimism and encouragement to public life.

Make no mistake about it: our economy has faltered in the past three years; and the entrenched incumbents have done absolutely nothing to reverse this disturbing trend. The incumbents have failed us. They have let us down.

For the past two years, they have steadfastly and stubbornly refused to repeal the onerous Foreign Investment Act of 1997, which has done so much to curtail much needed foreign investment and derail our prosperity. Our leaders, if you can call them “leaders,” have only been making it much more difficult to do business in the Northern Marianas.

For the past two years (and more), our career politicians have failed to uphold our economic self-interest and political integrity in the face of an unrelenting and merciless takeover threat from the federal government. They haven’t properly stood up for our rights. They haven’t been doing their jobs. Instead, they have only been giving in, making concessions, and imposing their own version of extremely anti-business protectionism.

It is high time for a change, and I sincerely believe Representative Ben Fitial truly represents such a badly needed change in our direction and local policies. Indeed, I have never been more excited about a local politician than I am with Mr. Fitial—-“Uncle Ben.”

Some depraved cynics might claim that I am merely pandering to a former Tan Holdings boss, or that someone may have put me up to this celebration of Ben’s ascendancy. But I can assure you: My sentiment is genuine.

After all, we have to remember that Mr. Fitial was one of the original architects behind the CNMI’s economic boom. He was the former House Speaker who presided over the CNMI’s unprecedented explosive economic growth. Ben was one of the prime movers—-one of the economically liberal, reform-minded men who enabled all of us to enjoy a standard of living unknown during Trust Territory days. As far as the CNMI is concerned, Ben Fitial is the political-economic equivalent of Michael Jordan coming out of retirement and re-joining the Chicago bulls.

For the year 2,000, I am bullish on Ben, not only because of his past experience as a successful House speaker, but also because of his vast experience as a proven local—-and international—-businessman.

Ben knows something many other politicians do not—-and probably will never ever—-know: how to make a buck or two in the private business sector, and how to really get things done in the most efficient manner possible.

That knowledge alone should make anyone very bullish on Uncle Ben.