CNMI economy held hostage
The assertion that our local economy is in a serious slump cannot be disputed. The Saipan Chamber of Commerce knows it. The Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas knows it. The Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association knows it. The CNMI’s entire business community knows it. And so do our elected “leaders” on Capital Hill.
Our “leaders” are perfectly aware of the economic problem, and yet they stubbornly refuse to do anything about it. They know full well what it takes to remedy this deplorable economic situation. They know what it takes to revitalize our sluggish economy. The answer is rather obvious: free the market, unleash the creative, wealth-producing abilities of investors, capitalists, entrepreneurs, and businessmen alike.
Repeal the three-year limit on alien labor. Revoke the $100,000 security deposit requirement. Abolish the labor moratorium. Slash regulations. Cut taxes. Entice investors. Free the market. These are the vital requirements of economic growth and prosperity.
Why does the CNMI leadership (Speaker Fitial not included) refuse to free the market? Why do they insist on prolonging our economic depression? Why do they hold our local economy hostage?
Answer: to protect their racket. To protect their hold on government. To protect their power base. Most of our so-called leaders are afraid of what they regard as “uncontrolled, run-away economic growth and development.” They don’t believe in limited government and a free market. A limited government and free market would make our lawmakers obsolete. They would threaten their deeply entrenched government racket.
Our “leaders” do not wish to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. In other words, they do not wish to kill our private business sector. They do not want the goose to lay as much eggs as it can either. They want to control the goose–to control the private sector and be its supreme, undisputed master.
Think of the government as the master of the goose that lays the golden eggs–as the master of the private sector. The government decides how many eggs the goose should produce, and how many eggs it will then offer us, the people.
Now if the goose could lay as many eggs as it possibly could, if the government were not constantly restricting and controlling the goose, we would have quite a few golden eggs for ourselves. But we would not need the government very much then, now would we? Which nicely explains why the government adamantly refuses to free the market and grant us great prosperity.
Strictly a personal view. Charles Reyes Jr. is a regular columnist of Saipan Tribune. Mr. Reyes may be reached at charlesraves@hotmail.com
