Is it too late to save our economy? Part II

In continuing our discussion about our sagging economy, we have to figure in the amount of money that is being sent off island by our nonresident workers and its effect on the economy. Someone mentioned that this sum is close to the staggering amount of $100 million per year. If true, this is a tremendous loss to our economy because it does not stay here and re-circulate or get re-invested.

The Philippine worker and Bangladeshi send all their money home to support their families. Imagine if so much money were to stay here? People would buy more goods, spend it for entertainment, save it, invest it in new businesses or expand their current one. Have you ever questioned where do all the profits that foreign investors make go? Where else but to their home countries, of course.

The other day I had lunch with a friend discussing a very disturbing issue which many of us think and feel about but rarely openly express. We both came to the conclusion that there is only one ace remaining we still have before we are completely dominated. We local people still control the election of our government officials. But for how long?

Each year we have an increasing number of children born in the CNMI from nonresident workers who are reaching the voting age. I would be interested in knowing what that number is in 2008. I suspect that it is close to 1,000 voters. You can do the numbers and approximate how long before it reaches where the local votes match the children’s votes born of foreign parents.

When I lived in Hawaii, I saw a Japanese man become governor, a Philippine man become governor, a Hawaiian man, and now an American lady. There is nothing wrong with that scenario. And it will happen here in the CNMI. But I am trying to express a point. Unless we wake up and begin to take matters into our own hands to help ourselves, we will follow in the same path. We will have lost control over both our economy and our Legislature. There goes our local pride and our identity.

Many of us think that the CNMI has been very lucky in its ability to import all the cheap labor it has over the past years. Some of us proudly say: “Look at how we have been able to build our infrastructure, our grand hotels, paved our streets and all the niceties we enjoy.” But how many of us have looked at the other side of the coin? This so-called lucky break has destroyed the will of our people to work for ourselves.

Recently a friend and I discussed this issue of working for the government. As an American and well-educated in the States, he mentioned that while in high school and college, he and his classmates whenever they discussed what they would do after graduation, never considered working for the government. Instead they were going to work in various businesses or set up their own, but none ever considered working for the government. I realized also that I had the same experience. All my friends and I never considered working for the government. Only here. Today walk into any high school class and ask a young student what kind of job he wants. The immediate answer from the majority will be: “I want to work for the government.” What a sad commentary on the aspirations of our youth.

Our problems were caused by our own shortsightedness. They can likewise be corrected by our strong will and determination and careful planning. Several major changes must be started quickly if we are ever to regain control of our economy and keep political control of our government.

The first step we must do is to jointly decide who we are and what kind of relationship we want with the United States. We must also decide what we want to become in this new age. We must cease dreaming of past days. Only the future lies ahead. There is no turning back. We are part of the world of nations.

We must begin educating ourselves on how to operate small businesses. We must begin owning our own businesses. We must change our attitude about letting someone else operate them. Unless we do, we will always be dependent on foreigners. We must also begin educating ourselves to take over the trades such as carpentry, plumbing and others before the nonresident worker leaves.

Let us understand that the CNMI has moved into a new arena of relationship with the United States. The United States is not our enemy, but our friend. It has repeatedly shown this by the tremendous infusion of money into the CNMI. It also shows its concern by setting up and paying for regulatory agencies to protect our environment. It contributes almost half of the PSS’ budget. It also gives us millions of dollars for our disabled residents. It pays food stamp recipients almost $8 million annually. Does this sound that they are unconcerned? Remember this money is paid by American taxpayers.

I just had a thought which caused me to smile. All the local people migrating to the United States will have to pay income taxes from their earnings. Guess what? Part of their tax money will come back to us as subsidy money from the federal government. Now our own local people will help support our lifestyle. Funny, no?

We could go on and on discussing what is wrong and what is right in the CNMI. But unless we adopt the following formula, success will never be ours again. That formula is: self-discipline + will power + determination = success! In addition we must act as a unified front. There is no room for government officials criticizing each other in public as was demonstrated recently at the last public addresses made by the Governor toward the Washington Representative last week. We need unity of strength, not dissension.

Does all this sound corny and preachy? Try succeeding another way. Lack of money is not our problem. Lack of willpower is! Think about it! Someone once mentioned to me: “Poverty is a state of the mind. Being broke is a temporary condition.” Which is it for the CNMI?

Let’s wake up to what is happening to us and the world around us. Federalization is one of the best changes imposed on us. Why do we fear it? Let us embrace it and enjoy the new prosperity it brings. It is not too late to regain our sagging economy and maintain control of our Legislature. Stop whining about the disappearance of low wages. They have done enough damage to us by sapping our energy and desire to work for a living. As a result many of us have become cripples and depend on food stamps to exist.

Until I moved to Saipan I never thought about paying a minimum wage to employees in my entire business career. Living and owning several companies in Japan over the span of 16 years, I always paid the market salary based on the experience of the employee. During the 10 years I resided in Hawaii and the owner of several businesses, I never considered a minimum wage. I always paid the going market salary based on the experience of the employees. But when I arrived here, I learned about the minimum wages system. Now we realize its effect on us.

I look forward to the day when every citizen will become educated and hold a skilled well-paying job. We can do it! And when we do, we will have regained our respect, pride and dignity. Never forget: A nation’s greatest asset is her educated and skilled citizens. Viva the CNMI!