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Little sympathy for Dekada
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Posted on Jun 22 2005
I’ve always followed with interest what happens in the CNMI after I left in early 2001. My near decade of time spent between Saipan, Guam and Palau were great. I’ve read with interest the formation of “Dekada”—those workers who wish to have something more than what they came for, signed on for and what they have back home.
Nearly every one came to the CNMI with higher aspirations and expectations of what they would ever become if they’d stayed home; it’s why they left—for a supposed better life. What seems to be forgotten is what conditions, rules and laws you signed up for and agreed to abide by.
I’ve been a worker in three foreign countries and in all three I had to respect the laws and recognize I did not and never would have the rights that a citizen have. I knew this and had to confirm this before ever setting foot on the plane that would take me to the country. On the other hand, CNMI leaders, it seems, forgot the USA factor—once you get here, it’s damn tough to get you out.
I have little sympathy for the workers trying to get rights. Go back and visit your friends and family that did not get in and ask yourself: Are they better off than you are right now?’ If so, (which is highly doubtful; otherwise you’d be back home long ago and the CNMI would be empty of you) then go back and stay in the Philippines or China or wherever. If not, then be glad you were able to get here in the first place; remember there are hundreds of applicants for every position here. In the long run, both the CNMI and the workers will lose.
The best bet would be to either give Rota and Tinian to China, and Saipan to the Philippines and then let everyone sink into dirt soup meals, little political rights, horrible environment, and general crap each country already lives in; or get all workers out and live like the U.S.A.
William H. McCue
West Palm Beach, FL
