My letter to Santa Claus

My name is Tony and I am 8 years old plus 70. I sent you a similar letter last Christmas, but you didn’t grant all my wishes so I am asking again. I am trying very hard not to be too critical of all the dumb things going on around me done by adults.

In a few days it will be Christmas and I want to send you my wish list which I hope you will consider when you fly to Saipan to deliver everybody else’s wishes. Will Rudolph be driving your sled again? You are so lucky that reindeers pull your sled. Gasoline is so expensive. I wish I had a reindeer for my dad’s car.

First on my list: Santa, can you solve our CUC problem? The adults have been messing it up for over 25 years. We pay perhaps the highest kilowatt rate in the United States and have the junkiest power plant around. All the people are suffering from the high rates and there doesn’t seem to be any relief in sight.

The people in charge of the plant and the people in the government somehow cannot agree on how to fix this problem. Do you know some people who know how to operate a power plant properly?

If you bring no other gift, please bring a good electric generating plant. If you promise to bring the electric plant, I will have my mommy bake you some special tortillas served with fresh coconut milk. Thanks.

Second on my list: The people here are all excited about something called Federalization. I really don’t understand what it is. My daddy says the United States is going to knock us down and make us poorer than we are. Is that true? Can’t we talk with them and work things out? Do we have to go to court and fight? Why can’t grownups work together to solve problems.

Also, Santa, please help the people born here understand that they are United States citizens and should pay allegiance to the United States. Also please make the United States understand what our people want and to respect their culture. Also help our people to know what they want. My history teacher tells me that we have been ruled over by many other countries. But he says if we work closely with the U.S., we will become free and wealthy. Why can’t we agree on what we should do to become strong and happy? Was it always like this?

We have free access to live and work in America without restraint. In fact, quite a few of the wealthier people here have homes in America and run back and forth living six months here and six months in America. Isn’t that neat? All of us have U.S. passports and some of us don’t realize what that means. Millions of people would love to have one but can’t.

My father tells me the U.S. sends us lots of dollars each year to help my country. And that we pay very little taxes compared to other places. Then why are we so upset? Is it because we cannot have it all our way?

Third on my list: As you fly over China, Russia, Japan and Korea, drop lots and lots of tourist brochures showing the people there to come visit us for their vacations. We really welcome them and promise to be nice to them. They can enjoy clean beaches and blue ocean and great weather. Santa, we need lots of tourists. Don’t forget to print the brochures in their own languages. Ok?

Do you know why they don’t come more often? Santa, you fly around the world. Can you share some of the secrets why other locations get lots of tourists? I heard from some of my friends that places like the Bahamas (wherever that is) gets lots of tourists. Why can’t we?

Fourth: We have many non-resident workers living and working here that help us. Many of them have children or a daddy or mommy back home. It can be pretty lonely during the Christmas season without their families. Santa, please stop by their houses and bring them some good cheer and lots of hope for a better future.

We are all Baby Jesus’ children and we all believe in you, Santa. But some of us are more fortunate than others. How easy it is to forget that. Please soften their loneliness so that they will continue to believe in Baby Jesus and in you. We all need hope.

Fifth: Santa, do you have something that would help us to understand that we must learn a skill or trade so that we can work better and smarter. My mommy is always scolding me when I don’t study hard. Can you make us understand that the only way we can become strong and make money is to have good work skills and habits? When we try, we can do a job as good as anybody, but for some reason we are not.

You know, Santa, when I finish my schooling, I am going to learn either a trade or I am going to go to college. My teacher is encouraging me. I wish my parents would too. I have to do that or I will be poor and without money. What a sad thing. I know I can help myself and so can a lot of other people, if we really want to. What do you think, Santa? Can you bring lots of determination and strong wills to help ourselves?

Sixth: I have noticed that a lot of people are depressed and scared. We are all worried on how we will survive the new laws and the lack of money and the recession (what is that?). As a result, a lot of people are leaving the islands and going to the States. I have been there and it is difficult to make a living there. Besides that the people here are friendlier. I love it here and don’t want to go back.

Seventh: Though I put this request way down here, it is my most important one. Please make my mommy well again. She is in Los Angeles having treatment. My brothers and sister and I miss her very much. Though I am young I realize that a strong family bond is the most important thing in life. We all miss her terribly and pray for her speedy recovery. If you have any spare prayers, please send them to her. Also do this for other kids whose parents are sick or away, especially for the children of the soldiers in the war.

Eighth: Santa, please help us to work together. We need cooperation more than ever. We must put aside any bad feelings and join hands. This is our country and we are responsible for what we do with it. I learned in class that for every action there is a reaction. Let’s make the right actions so that we get the right reactions. I apologize for asking so many questions in my letter to you, but there is so much I don’t understand. Is it because I am young yet?

Santa, I am not asking for any toys or gifts for me. Please spend all the time you can on fixing up what I mentioned above and whatever else you feel needs fixing. I hope that lots of other children, and even adults will also write to you and ask for your assistance.

Christmas Day is the time to believe in miracles. On that day Jesus was born and since then He has guided us as we continue to believe in Him. Even though I am 8 years old plus 70, I believe that Jesus and his Father will make everything all right. As you fly over the CNMI can you sprinkle some magic dust which will make us happier? I once saw Tinkerbelle fly over a village and sprinkle dust which made all the people below smile and happy.

My mommy will leave a cold glass of coconut juice and the tortillas on the dining room table. Please enjoy them and take back the rest with you to share with Mrs. Claus. Don’t forget my wish list. Ok, Santa? Remember I still believe in you. Help everybody to believe also. Baby Jesus and you can make miracles happen. Merry Christmas to you and to all. May God bless us all!