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Reality of Washington
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Posted on Aug 14 2000
The Issue: The hiring of lobbyists is a daily reality on Capitol Hill to protect one’s interest.
Our View: Until the CNMI is fully represented in the US Congress, its best bet is to follow suit.
Washington is known as the Nerve Center of the World. It decides the fate of nations, even small island republics, including the fate of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
If we may reiterate, the CNMI isn’t represented in the two most powerful chambers on planet earth. Our fate and interest is inconsequential for most members of Congress who don’t even know that we exist as a flag territory.
But we are fortunate to have connected to the most powerful members of the US House of Representatives. We didn’t make it happen on our own. It was Preston Gates who worked Capitol Hill to secure the ears of the House Leadership to listen to our aspirations premised on the basic tenets of the Covenant Agreement.
Retaining lobbyists is daily reality at the Nerve Center of the World where policy decisions are made that positively or adversely affect the livelihood of most people the world. To visit and persuade over 600 members of the US Congress is a monumental task in itself. It begins with a strategic plan in the hands of real experts or major league players.
Imagine if Preston Gates didn’t work Capitol Hill to stave-off the consideration of the Franks bill designed to annihilate all future economic opportunities for the CNMI. A successful consideration spells economic doom for these isles beyond our small island mentality. It would simply kill even current investments beyond our wildest imaginings.
Friends, this is an issue that leaves no room for dress rehearsals. A single error in favor of the Franks bill ends all hope for decent livelihood in these islands. Most of us would be selling used pencils to earn a living. We seriously doubt that this is the legacy serious leadership wishes to leave behind for our children and their children.
Such is the reality of Washington and either we do it now until we are granted representation, or forever suffer the consequence of neglect and municipal level arrogance. Our children deserve better! Si Yuus Maase`!
