The Manhoben deserve to move forward

As a committee, we have tried to remain diplomatic throughout the campaign season, but we realize that we are not just fighting for the next leader of the CNMI. It is much more complicated and complex than that. Our fight is for the future of the Commonwealth, because what happens in the next four years will leave a deep imprint in the CNMI. It will be a period where we either maintain the status quo of the current administration or move forward to both correct the mistakes of the past and build the best possible future. The current administration has not provided or created any new opportunities for the Manhoben. Scholarships and pep talk will not be enough to give Manhoben opportunity. That is why we fight, because we so desperately new and better leadership.

Throughout their campaign, Heinz Hofschneider and Dave Apatang have stressed and maintained that an honest government is a government for the people. Heinz and Dave have pledged to be leaders who will lead with dignity and integrity, which have been missing for the past four years. There is no integrity in an administration that tries to fool its people into thinking that the current situation is “pretty darn good.” Heinz and Dave have pledged to call evil by its name and always tell the truth because it is the least the CNMI can expect from its government. Honesty is only the beginning. Restoring faith back into the government means that Heinz and Dave will gather the best possible people who are qualified for positions that require the best minds in the CNMI. Cronyism can no longer have a place in the CNMI if our real goal is to truly move forward and build a better future.

Our future will remain bleak if we continue on this narrow road to nowhere. The Manhoben live everyday wondering what the future will hold for them. Without opportunity here, we stand to lose the brightest minds in the CNMI as they venture to the mainland seeking that opportunity. We understand that opportunity will not come without the improvements in various aspects of CNMI. Creating opportunity means fostering safer communities, promoting better health and providing sufficient healthcare, modernizing our infrastructure, among a host of other improvements. The last fours years have brought a spike in teen violence, endemic diabetes and heart diseases, and a swiftly aging infrastructure. We deserve to expect more than this from a government claiming to make it happen.

On Election Day we encourage everyone to be honest. Be honest with yourself when you ask yourself whether you are better off today than you were four years ago. Ask yourself if you believe that things will really change if we keep our current administration. Ask yourself if this administration has always been honest with you. Ask yourself where you want to be in the future. Ask yourself if you deserve more.

The Manhoben deserve more and expect more from our government.

Manhoben Committee for Heinz and Dave