Push reforms now!

After three years of sluggish economic growth, our political leaders are still not motivated to enact badly needed economic reforms. They seem to hesitate. They seem badly stricken with fear and timidity. They appear not to understand. They cannot seem to grasp basic, common sense economics. They appear to be seized by an intractable protectionism. And they are only making things worse.

Perhaps the private business sector has not done nearly enough to properly educate the government–to make it finally understand fundamental economic forces at work. Perhaps the Saipan Chamber of Commerce is partly to blame. Perhaps the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association and the Hotel Association may also be at fault. After all, they don’t seem to be getting through to our high and mighty government officials.

Many left-leaning cynics like to complain about the alleged cozy relationship between business and government in the CNMI. They say that a certain tycoon owns half the island–and that he controls the government through corruption.

Yet, look at the facts. Nothing could be further from the truth. This government of ours is extremely anti-business. They are not doing the private sector any favors.

Look at the recent legislation they have passed. They passed a “Communications Telecommunications Act.” They allowed the Marianas Visitors Authority to regulate tourism businesses. For more than three years, the government has adamantly refused to revoke the $100,000 security deposit– despite its dampening effect on much needed investments.

Right now, in the CNMI Senate, legislators are wavering over a crucial and comprehensive business reform package that would revitalize our stagnant economy. While local businesses desperately struggle to survive in tough economic times, some of our Senators are worried about the best interests of the local community–remarkably, as though economic revitalization were absolutely incompatible with the actual needs of the “community.”

The ‘community’ needs prosperity! The ‘community’ needs higher paying jobs. The ‘community’ needs investment. The ‘community’ needs economic growth and development. The ‘community’ needs this critical reform bill to pass.

The community does not need arrogant lawmakers paternalistically deciding what is best for them: what they can and cannot have in the way of growth and investments.

Call up your local senator. Fax the governor. Lobby hard for Mr. Fitial’s business reform package. The CNMI urgently needs it. And remember not to vote for the officials intent on compromising our prosperity.