Giving unto Caesar what’s Caesar’s

As a continuing student of government, I take time to revisit and analyze our success or failure in the consideration of public policy matters.

Definitely, we’re still stuck with our grand old unworkable ways. While the rest of the world moves forward embracing, strengthening and refining the benefits of the digital divide, we’re still dazed trying to figure out apples and oranges.

For instance, the measure to establish the legal infrastructure for Information Technology still languishes in the Senate. It’ll probably be mired with irrelevant amendments before it staggers out of the upper chamber.

How mind boggling the establishment of semi-autonomous agencies given the fiduciary responsibility to handle this and other issues. I’m not trying to deny the legislature its constitutional authority to consider all rightful pieces of legislation. But to the extent that it attempts to engage in micro-management is a grand tale that it doesn’t understand its role.

This very poor attitude has become embarrassingly protean. In other words, it is repeated time and again as though we command and control the hands of time. We don’t! But how do we teach policy makers (those who never knew what happened) how to deal with policy matters? Even if we try, it’ll all be an uphill battle from A-Z.

Perhaps there’s a dire need to return to basics. If the first step of learning begins with learning how to repeat, then let’s begin right here and now. Those who succeed with repetition can move on to the next level: learning how to learn. It’s a must because we just can’t live using what has been said. Finally, there’s learning how to live, how to decide, how to be oneself, and how to review public policy with greater vision.

As it is, we have a long ways to go before we can see mature policymaking here. Let’s hope that the first quarter of this century grants us the opportunity to see the first group of well equipped lawmakers ready to roll their sleeves to do serious work. I’m talking about well read lawmakers who have invaluable experiences to offer in their policymaking roles. Let’s retire those who have become obsolescent. Think about it!

That Cargo Cult Mentality

It’s no secret that our local coffers is basically bankrupt. We owe vendors millions of dollars going as far back as the Larry and Lang administrations. In the process, we have incurred more than our share of deficit, today. I wasn’t a bit surprise to hear a new hit in town: “Debt here, debt there, everywhere a debt, debt”.

Yes, I can understand the net effect of the bad times that has engulfed these isles since four years ago. Yet, the guys on the hill treat this mind numbing economic setback “business as usual” or inconsequential. It’s the usual stuff and bluff attitude. Whatever happened to common sense and accountability?

Friends, in bad times, all must learn to sacrifice. Let’s save what little there is in our teeny coffers for that rainy day. The CNMI is the first territory to sever the umbilical cord of grant funds for government operations. Let’s keep our heads high which also means we must change our theme song to: “And a cut cut here, a cut cut there, here a cut, there a cut, everywhere a cut cut!” Di ba? Eh, we can inch our way out of the current economic slump by putting our money where it counts. Si Yuus Maase`!

Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune.