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What are invitations for?
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Posted on Jan 12 2001
Dear Editor,
It is very unfortunate that the Governor had vetoed the shooting resort bill. This bill, I believe, would’ve helped revive the sluggish economy we’re now facing.
For so many times now, the CNMI government has been extending invitations to investors to come to our islands and do business here. And, it is very seldom that we find any of them interested to come here. We’ll, these people knocked on our doors and are willing to invest big money, but what did we do to make them fell welcome?
All we did was criticized and pretend that we don’t need them if the kind of investment they are going to do is not to our liking. CNMI citizens, this is not the time for us to be picky. We should welcome anyone willing to invest here. The economy is at stake now.
Our people need jobs. Children need to be fed and clothed. Bills need to be paid. Without jobs, unemployment parents will be faced with less money in their hands and as a result deprived their children of basic needs due to financial constraint.
They will even start thinking about going against the law by dealing with illegal drugs as a last resort just so they could support their families. We can’t just rely on food stamps or other government handouts anymore. These are the times of hardship. Businesses are closing down. In my opinion, it seems that they don’t want to do business here anymore.
People wake up! The concern raised by the opponents of this bill is hogwash. Guns do not kill people. It is people that kill people. The bill’s intent addressed safety. I don’t believe that our leaders’ intention was to endanger our CNMI’s citizens’ lives by passing this bill. They know what they’re doing, so we should let them do their job.
Lastly, there is still hope for this bill to be revived. I ask all elected leaders (especially those opposing the bill for fear that they won’t get elected) to unite regardless of party affiliations and support an override of the Governor’s veto. Please do it for the sake of the CNMI’s economy and the jobless people waiting to have an opportunity to work.
Steve Cruz
Garapan
