Focus on Education What every citizen should know about politics

The other day I sat listening to a group talk about problems about the government, our economic disaster, and other social problems that besiege us. I realized that all of the people were quite serious about the political and economic status quo, but some lacked background about the issues. It’s a good thing that we are interested in our political life, but we have to understand the background. Let’s take a look at some of the background knowledge we as citizens need to know better so that we can make wiser decisions.

The Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America booklet should be in every citizen’s home and read frequently. It is the document that established our relationship with the United States. We need to be reminded that on June 17, 1975 (26 years ago), 78.8 % of the people voted in a plebiscite to join in union.

From reading Section 101, we learn that we agreed to a “political union with and under the sovereignty of the United States of America.” This section is one of the most important and debatable sections on the extent of its meaning. Read the Covenant and understand it. It is our political bible in union with the United States.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is the second most important political document that belongs in every citizen’s home and should be read and reread until almost memorized. The constitution came into “full force and effect at eleven o’clock on the morning of January 9, 1978, (23 years ago) Northern Mariana Islands local time.” This document contains the foundations of our political beliefs. However be sure to obtain the latest edition which contains amendments added since 1978.

The “Preamble” states eloquently our aspirations: “We, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, ordain and establish this Constitution as the embodiment of our traditions and hopes for our Commonwealth in political union with the United States of America.”

Review Article I: Personal Rights, and remind ourselves of the freedoms we enjoy. One has only to glance through any current news magazine to see what some of the countries in other parts of the world are suffering to realize how free and secure our lives are.

We should become familiar with the political structure of our government. Many of us have a superficial understanding how it is organized. We do not fully comprehend how all the three branches work. The Administration, the Legislature, and the Judicial Branch work in a check and balance so that no one branch dominates. As informed citizens, we need to understand how a law is introduced and travels through the legislative process until the governor either signs it into law or vetoes it.

Because members of the House and the Senate can pass legislation that promote our welfare, we need to be extremely careful whom we vote into office. If we continue to vote for “the family member” than our welfare may be shortsighted. If we vote for the governor with the biggest family, we may elect the most qualified candidate. Only people who understand the current status should be elected.

I keep encouraging parents to work with their children for a better education. The reason they need a better education is to have a better future. If we adults want a better future, we, too, must become better educated. Let’s not be fooled by hot air promises from self-serving would-be leaders. Let’s become intelligent voters and elect only persons we know that care about us.