It is alarming that as this year comes to a close, we begin hearing sad tidings about possible payless paydays. This powerful shift in financial tide ought to force critics who view the current crisis as a “scare tactic” to probe factual economic indicators that glaringly “tell it like it is”.<\/p>\n
You see, what we seem to be missing each time we visit this debilitating economic condition is the fact that it will adversely affect everybody’s pockets! The greater question is: Are we willing to sacrifice a little until such time that economic recovery returns to normalcy as we know it? Or do we feed upon our well greased sense of ma\u00f1ana until the cascading effects flattens out everything because we refuse to pitch-in? It’s all a matter of common sense.<\/p>\n
Had we done some planning since last March in decisive fashion, perhaps the ravaging effects of the Asian crisis would have been less severe. But we treated it as an inconsequence hoping that by some miracle it would rebound on its own accord or alternatively, Uncle Tom would be riding into town to rescue the poor brown and helpless boys. Neither dream has come true. The dire reality is that we must fend for ourselves.<\/p>\n
What must we do next? Let’s begin deliberative discussions on what can we do to stave the ravaging effects of the Asian crisis. Let us steer clear of all measures that may mean the death knell of the last industry holding up what’s left of the local economy. We must consider policies that would enhance expansion and investments in the NMI. If you’re not sure what to do, step aside and let the real experts guide us through this mess. This is one time when leadership really comes to a critical test. Please, do not make life harder than it is already!<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
The federal district court on Guam has ruled that there shall be a runoff election next Saturday between incumbent Governor Carl T.C. Gutierrez and former Governor Joseph f. Ada.<\/p>\n
The Gutierrez camp may appeal the decision which would protract the timely installation of the next governor of Guam beginning this coming January. It’s a tight race to which the victor must garner 50 plus one percent of the votes cast as mandated by the Organic Act of Guam.<\/p>\n
It would be interesting how this event pans-out over the next week. Quite frankly, both are capable of serving as titular head of our southern neighbor. Let’s hope that an amicable resolution is reached to settle this contentious election once and for all.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
I visited several pawn shops here just out of curiosity to see what this sector is all about. The people that I met were mostly locals who have decided to sell their precious and treasured jewelry in order to meet family needs this Christmas.<\/p>\n
I exited these shops a bit troubled by a number of issues that popped up in mind: 1). Pawning jewelry with sentimental value is the owner’s business. After all, I don’t provide for his or her family needs. 2). The very fact that they had to pawn treasured jewelry that must have been passed on down to generations gives one a glimpse that in fact the numbers crunch has adversely affected local family pocketbooks to the hilt.<\/p>\n
I’m still troubled by what I saw and how I wish that they never had to resort to pawning treasured family possessions. But I suppose it is in the local tradition to let go of what you’ve inherited when nothing else works. It brings me back to a fundamental question: What have we done to create jobs for the hundreds of locals who now sacrifice their last prized possessions to make it through the holiday season?<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
I asked Pedro Malas how he would have dealt with the current crisis. Said he: “Abolish all departments and agencies except for education, health and public safety. Funnel all savings to these three critical departments. Privatize the Northern Marianas College, CUC, Public Works, retirement program, MVA, CPA which should result in the downsizing of an overbloated bureaucracy by half the number of employees”. I agree, but it takes political resolve to push Du\u00f1g’s idea through.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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