Using human resources

I think I have an answer for an improved future in the CNMI. This solution came to me as a result of the bickering that has occurred over power generation mismanagement. Before I begin to describe a path that should be taken by future leadership, let me make my feelings on government corruption clear. Whoever is guilty of using taxpayers’ money illegally for self-enrichment must be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law regardless of race, sex, political party, ethnic origin, or family relationships.

In 1978, the CNMI became a self-governing political entity. This had never before happened. And despite all the efforts of dedicated teachers in our classrooms, the general populace and local leadership were ill-prepared for the rapid changes that would occur over the next 30 years. Indigenous folks for the first time were given control over the destiny of the islands. There was much joy and optimism. Governors were elected by popular vote and emulating other democratic locations, these chief executives had the power to appoint others to responsible government positions. At first this was not a problem because we had little change from the Trust Territory days. Then Japan found us and we had a booming tourism industry and a fat government. Everybody was fat and happy. When people don’t have problems, there is no need to look for solutions. No need to plan. We were like happy young married folks with a bright future.

Because our population is small and most families are biologically related, governors appointed trusted kin to powerful positions without much thought for the qualifications of the appointee. I guess you could say we established an incestuous political system with too little regard for qualifications. Just as a growing family might give responsibilities to their children for which the children are ill-prepared to perform.

This 30-year tradition and the influx of residents who are not indigenous has led to a polarization within our inhabitants that could be a big problem, unless the politicians wisely tap the richness that this multi-ethnic, multicultural society brings with it. Our multi-ethnic, multicultural society has one ethnic group in political power. I don’t want this society to be divided in to the “We’s” and the “They’s”.

Many of the newer statesider and foreign national residents that I have met have vast quantities of education, training, and experience in many different fields. Most are disgruntled with the current state of affairs in the CNMI. Most love this place and would like to help it improve, but they feel powerless. What these people need is not land ownership, but operational ownership. They need to feel that they are part of the solution. Their capabilities need to be utilized.

Participatory democracy is obtained when the opinions of all residents is respected and valued. We don’t have to agree, but we must respect each other’s points of view, regardless of ethnic origin. The political leaders of the future need to tap the resources of these non-indigenous, CNMI-loving residents. An adopted son may in fact love and respect his father and mother more than a son who was natural born.

Just because a suggestion is made that originates from a non-indigenous person does not mean it has no merit and can be disregarded. We are all humans trying to solve human problems. Forget your ethnicity and join the human race. Our birthplace does not make us that different and we can all love and nurture the CNMI.

Examples of failure to examine and process suggestions made by non-indigenous persons are widespread. A mistake was made by our current leadership in their haste to solve our electrical generation problems. Mistakes are forgivable, except when they are re-occurring or when they result in individual enrichment at the expense of the consumers. Tinian has excess generator capacity that could have easily and much more cost effectively been transferred to Saipan. Instead, our leaders chose to go the Aggreko route. At a yearly cost of $6 million, plus $84,000 per week. From where will this money come? And these gen-sets do not even belong to our people. Tom Arkle has done this research. For approximately $2 million, the Cummins diesel engine manufacturing company dealers in the U.S. can supply and deliver 10 Aggreko-equivalent, gen-sets to Saipan and these gen-sets would pass all EPA regulations. That’s one-third of the cost with Aggreko and we would own these for eternity.

This is my point. Because we have a relatively small population, our political leaders must use all human resources available to solve this and any upcoming challenges we will be facing. We cannot afford to waste any human resource, particularly not on the basis of ethnic origin. No matter where you were born, your ideas and contributions must get equal consideration. Future political leaders, remember this! Use all your resources wisely! Non-indigenous members of the CNMI community want to be involved in producing solutions for us all!