Democracy in action

Only a few short years ago, the CNMI non-voting delegate issue was the single most important–most urgent, most vital, and most pressing–matter to Resident Representative Juan Nekai Babauta. The Federal takeover, which Mr. Babauta actually supported at the time, took a back seat to the non-voting delegate issue. To Mr. Babauta, nothing could have possibly been more important at the time.

Juan Babauta did not care that such a delegate could not vote in the U.S. Congress. All that mattered was the mere presence of a CNMI delegate in the U.S. Congress. Evidently, to Mr. Babauta, the mere presence of a CNMI delegate symbolized the first major step toward eventual democratic representation in the US government. To him, a CNMI delegate in various congressional committees could prove useful.

Unfortunately, a number of CNMI residents actually agreed with Mr. Babauta. They felt that we needed to have an official voice in the U.S. Congress–even if that voice were largely powerless and, indeed, of no consequence. Again, the delegate would not have a single vote; and even if he did, it would be a paltry, insignificant vote indeed.

In other words, one non-voting delegate to the US Congress would hardly kill off all federal takeover attempts. It would hardly be enough to restrain the federal government’s expansive policies. It would hardly protect our local self-government against ever encroaching federal paternalism.

What, then, is the ideal solution? How do we influence Washington without a non-voting delegate (or other forms of official representation)? How do we make democracy work for us?

The answer is rather simple: Give money, make political campaign contributions. Support our friends in Washington, D.C. Financially support the political candidates who have helped us remain free, who oppose a federal takeover, who understand our existing political and economic realities.

Support the friendly Republicans. Support George W. Bush for President. Support Tom Delay. Support Dana Rohrabacher. Give to Dick Armey. Give “soft money” to the Republican National Committee.

After all, making political contributions is merely part of the democratic process. It is part of the First Amendment of the US Constitution–part of our freedom of speech. It should be conducted openly and without shame.

The folks who support a federal takeover–the labor unions and their ideological friends–have already given generously to the liberal Democrats who oppose us. They have contributed to the war chests of George Miller, Danny Akaka, and the Clinton administration.

Our own man, Juan Nekai Babauta, gave Hawaii Senator Danny Akaka–one of our biggest detractors–$200 in campaign contributions, presumably so that the good Senator could carry on with his passionate federal takeover efforts. Dr. Carlos Camacho, one of Jesse Borja’s biggest supporters, also contributed at least $2,000 to the Al Gore 2000 presidential bid, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Make no mistake, if we want to influence Washington and safeguard our local self-government through the democratic process, we must give generously. We must counter the financial influence of the mainland labor unions, Juan Nekai Babauta, and Mr. Carlos Camacho. For the sake of a self-governing Commonwealth, contact Ben Fitial and give to the Bush campaign today.