Saturday, January 8, 2011

Saipan Politics


Photo from Saipan Tribune

When I say this photo on the front page of today's Saipan Tribune, my first thought was "why are these men smiling?" Don't they realize that the CNMI is in dire straits? Don't they have any sense of forboding? Aren't they the least bit concerned about the gravity of the situation?

I was at Java Joe's and chatting with Tina Sablan and Glen Hunter. Of course the Governor, Lieutenan Governor, Senators are smiling...they've just spent hours in a swank hotel.

Five hours of "leadership" meeting on the economy and they didn't have the good sense to use a government building? They had to go to a hotel? Who paid for that? Was there any bidding for this government expense or is our governor just friends with the hotel owners?

I really think the elected officials have completely lost touch with the realitiy on the ground. Their focus is on their own political hides.

Governor Fitial is a Republican again. This is his strategy for saving his political skin. (And writing a letter in support of Tom Delay, another "good" Republican."

The others are slapping each other on the back, grinning, "cooperating," and trying to convince themselves that they belong in the political fraternity where they can enjoy the perks of privilege.

What came out of the meeting? We have only a few details.

There will be $6.2 million pumped to travel agents to encourage tourism here. $100 paid for every tourist from Osaka and Nagoya during low peak times. Aren't all times low peak just now? Will this really be enough to stimulate travel? Are we going to get our money's worth? Can we afford it? This doesn't sound like a terrible idea, but how long can we buy our tourists? And what will the actual proposed legislation look like?

There was some mention of reprogramming funds and looking at "lapsed" federal grants. The first is always dangerous and usually means less control by the Legislature and more power to a Governor who has already abused his power repeatedly. The second shouldn't take a summit of leadership to consider. We apparently have federal money available to us for a number of projects that we have not spent, which Kilili has pointed out.

That's it...that's all we've been told so far.

While the governor is concerned about ending the austerity measures, no one is talking about the need for new thinking and lifetime commitment to austerity, to frugality, to a balanced budget.

No one is talking about cleaning up Saipan so tourists might better enjoy visiting. (Thanks is deserved by our Mayor who has at least addressed the roadkill problem.) No one is talking about small businesses--except to continue to fight minimum wage.

Our leaders continue to look for pie-in-the-sky solutions. They want the big kahuna to come in and give us money, no strings attached. That big kahuna could be casinos or crime and they wouldn't care, as long as the price was right. There is no thought for ethics, for principles or community values. And when any prospect appears that might look like the desired solution, there is an immediate blindness and unwillingness to look closely--just the usual grasping at straws.

None of them would recognize a real solution if it came up and bit them in the ass because a real solution would not mean money in their pockets; would not mean an immediate turn-around and super economic prosperity. A real solution would mean we'd have to work, to change, and to allow for gradual improvement.

We will continue to sink with this "leadership." They will continue to smile because they are clueless. As long as they can eat nice lunches and meet in luxury hotel rooms and be fawned over by people impressed with their position and power (big fish in a tiny fishbowl), they will remain out of touch with the reality in the community.

And that's a shame because they are also blind to the talents and resources of our people. The leadership might bash foreign workers when they're in the mood to cater to certain voters, but they don't really see the value of any of the people here--local, haole, and foreign. They are unaware of talents they can't recognize--like education, like visual or performing artistry, like the analytical/scientific mind, like the practical laborer. All they care about is whether they will continue to get elected and have money in their own pockets.

And so they are still smiling.

7 comments:

Saipan Writer said...

I wanted to add this bit to the post, but think it's better as a comment:

The one lesson from Governor Fitial that they've all learned is that no matter how much you lie, no matter what level you sink to, if you keep smiling, people like you and vote for you.

God forbid that they disclose by their facial expressions just how bad things really are.

Wendy said...

Jane, so glad you're back! Everything you wrote is so true.

They just keep spending and keep smiling.

My heart goes out to the people of the CNMI, and also to the people here in the states. The world spun out of control in the 90's as everything was fueled by greed and corruption. The poison is still embedded in politicians, lobbyists, special interests, drug companies, banks, Wall Street and financial institutions who continue their schemes at the expense of the American people. It's easier to see it in the CNMI because it's small, but believe me, we are all sinking here too.

Anonymous said...

An interesting psychological profile of the people in charge around here. We're in trouble.

Donna J. Cruz said...

Jane: Enjoy reading your blog. Hope you will write more often. This piece says a lot about the quality of our leaders and their true concern for all our good. Donna J. Cruz

Anonymous said...

I missed you Jane. Please keep writing.

Angelo Villagomez said...

They think that calling themselves Republican will help them get along with the leadership in the US House.

Bill said...

Hello Jane,

I very recently returned from a trip to Saipan and I agree with most of what you have said. I was amazed and disappointed to see such a beautiful island and people with so much to offer in such disrepair. Obviously this is due to horrible politics and politicians. Saipan needs foreign investment, a lifting of tariffs, and forget about minimum wage. The US government is to blame for this as they are for the demise of the mainland too. Austerity and practical commom sense is needed but you have nailed it with these politicians.....they are obviously in it for themselves only. I would like to retire in Saipan and may even run for Governor.
Keep up the good fight.
Philadelphia Bill