'Brings back memories whenever the band, Journey, sings this song...
Yet, it couldn't stop me to wonder what had happened when the Juan-Galvin campaign manager jumped over the other party's fence, so I've heard and read. This makes me think, is the Heinz-Arnold tandem sure that the island's Republicans will really go and vote for them? Or, how are they going to know for sure that the Juan-Galvin supporters will have their votes this coming elections?
As we've said before, if the islands want the current administration to change, why divide the opposition?
I personally see that the green color will still be the fad this year. Of course, I could be wrong too...
59 comments:
Shit disturber....
No money for CHC to hire doctors and pay AETNA but Ben Tan can hire more people.
Biba Ben Tan and the Covenant Party! Four more years of corruption!
SMD you're correct in your assessment. The Covenant Party is the team to reckon with. It should be noted that changing of the guards in the middle of the economic instability and downturn will be more chaotic.
Noni 1:43, you have got to be kidding.
"Changing of the guards in the middle of the economic instability and downturn" makes perfect sense when the "guards" are exactly the guys who have caused or worsened so many of our problems.
And please don't give me any crap about the mess this administration inherited. As if that somehow could exonerate them. Or make them more qualified to lead these islands for another four years.
They inherited a mess, it is true, but the mess got messier under their watch. Why should this trend be any different (or "less chaotic" as you put it) with a second term?
I'll take the risk of "more chaos" with a new governor on the hill, thank you very much.
Saipan Middle Road -- I hope you don't mind me posting some quotes that came from various individuals commenting on Wendy Doromal's website. I just thought they might be relevant here too.
***
"Being an incumbent doesn't automatically mean you are that steady hand that is needed. Being an incumbent doesn't mean you are a man of integrity."
**
"That steady hand you speak of has been guiding the CNMI into the worst situation it has been in the last 30 years."
**
"We need a real leader to take the helm and turn this ship around. A real leader with integrity that awards people based on merit not on political favors."
**
"VOTE FOR FITIAL IF YOU LIKE:
1. a know-it-all dictator who does not respect the law, legislature or people. No siree, only King Fitial knows what is good for the CNMI.
2. a power-hungry manipulator in charge who will cut hours and jobs and at the same time spend on ridiculous lawsuits.
3. side deals with Koreans investors
4. no integrity, lots of schemes
5. someone who will drain the coffers to promote his agenda whether endorsed by the people or not...
6. completely unqualified, unscrupulous, and/or ball-less policy advisors and department heads running the government
7. tens of millions in taxpayer money (federal or local) mysteriously vanishing (poof -- gone!) and totally unaccounted for
8. weak, demoralized, incapacitated law enforcement attorneys and officers
9. an impotent and illegitimate acting AG (no confirmed or nominated AG for almost a year)
10. lots of "acting" secretaries
11. no plan for economic recovery (plan? what plan? who needs a plan?)
12. really bad relations with the feds
13. sketchy "nonprofit" foundations in fitial's name receiving hefty, unaudited "donations" from unknown sources for certain unknown "charitable causes"
14. REALLY cheap public land leases and tax breaks for REALLY sketchy foreign investors
15. special legal counsels up the yin-yang, including the last legitimately-confirmed AG we ever had who stepped down not even a year ago, and two highly questionable, not-so-free "volunteer" attorneys
16. really bad judgment in selection of friends (abramoff? mafnas? tim?)
17. capital improvement projects stagnating, and very little infrastructure spending/development to speak of (how the heck ARE we going to spend all this free money? too bad we have to account for it...)
18. surrounded by former Tan employees
19. misplaced loyalty
20. lies with a scary Cheshire cat smile
21. Willens and Siemer
22. Cinta
23. CHC fiasco
24. getting fired for being "disloyal" to the Covenant party
25. being forced to hire and/or work among politicos who have no qualifications to speak of other than being related to fitial or his cronies AND who might also be convicted felons
26. never getting your rightful merit increase no matter how long and how hard you have worked, or how competent you are -- and then seeing unqualified political hires START above your civil service salary
27. worrying about furloughs... even as government hiring of nonessential (political) hires continues
28. Sleaze -sick of the prostitution and the sleazy clubs.
29. waste of money for trips, trips, trips
30. turns eye to and even supports fake schools' "
***
Note: The list above came from many different individuals. It is by no means exhaustive.
Please, anyone, feel free to add more.
Who gives a fuck about Wendy Dormat?
You forgot he uses hair dye and has false teeth.
Real Local -- LOL. "Who gives a fuck about Wendy?" Talk about trying to change the subject.
And the subject is this 2009 gubernatorial election, and whether or not this community is sane enough to elect a new and (hopefully) better governor.
Newsflash: there are MANY people (including other "locals" just as "real" as you, but hopefully not as stupid) who are fed up with this incompetent, dictatorial, fear-mongering, lying administration, for many many serious and valid reasons. Only 30of them have been listed by only a few of those angry voters. There are many other reasons to throw Fitial and all his cronies OUT of office once and for all.
SMR, there is no apostrophe in “yours”, or in “mine”, “his”, “hers”, “ours”, or “theirs”.
(It does not belong to “your”!)
Anyone voting for Fitial is doing so because of their job, and that's all. Nobody will vote for Fitial otherwise.
He sucks as a governor and sucks balls as a human being.
Willie Tan won't be able to save his soul when he is roasting in hell for all his sins and corruption. I hope Fitial likes his meat well done because he will be roasting for an eternity.
The Covenant Party is done after this election. So is Howard and Deanne and Ramon Mafnas. Maybe Ramon can get a job as a pimp. That's all he's been doing for Fitial.
Worthless asses is what I would call the Covenaughty Party.
yeah, this administration has been a disgrace. whose would be less?
Saddam Hussein's would be less. Fitial is a corrupt dog who deserves to lose badly
Fitial makes Roilin Froilan Tenorio look sane.
To all those voters who feel pressured to vote for Fitial because he gave you or a family member a job, and to all those voters who feel you should vote for Fitial because you think he wants to give you a homestead: Remember, you have a secret ballot. Take the job. Take the homestead. Then draw that curtain and secretly THROW THE RASCALS OUT!!!!
Relax, Ed Propst. I won't be voting for Fitial. That doesn't mean that I give a fuck about Wendy Dormat.
Heinz will make a great governor when elected in 2013. I voted for him in 2005.
But this year we need the political maturity and courage to stay the course, to re-elect an incumbent governor for the first time since 1985.
One of the CNMI's biggest problems is social and political instability.
We vote like we work and like we play poker.
We want instant riches, instant promotions (or even better, starting at the top), instant political solutions.
For the most part, we as a society haven't been willing to do the slow, unglamorous, steady work (day-in, day-out, without phony sick days or unexcused absences), persistently doing what needs to be done in our work lives, our financial lives (personally & collectively), and our political lives.
During these times of adversity, while not exactly having triumphed, Ben and Eloy have “brought us safe thus far.”
Stay the course!
Ben & Eloy? Two second-stringers. Eloy is second stringer to Tim V., who was indicted and convicted for the type of rampant thievery this administration is known for. Ben is second stringer for JuanPan, since even Willie doesn't believe Ben can win.
Noni 8:05:
Yes, we need leaders with maturity and courage. Fitial has neither.
Yes, one of the CNMI's biggest problems has been social and political instability. Largely due to horrible leadership, Fitial & Co. included.
Yes, you are right that the CNMI has not elected an incumbent governor in a long, long time. For good reason -- mostly because the incumbents didn't deserve a second shot. Fitial does not deserve a second shot.
CNMI voters might not elect the best leaders, but that's mostly due to lack of decent choices. We are very good at throwing the incumbent bastards out, however.
Some people want instant riches, instant promotions, or instant political solutions. But mostly people want true leaders. Fitial is not a true leader. And if history is any lesson, we'll change him out like we changed out all the other govs, and keep doing that till we find a real leader.
Someone who inspires us. Or at least won't lie to us.
Someone who makes us believe in a better CNMI. Or at least doesn't make us hate living here.
I don't know which society you are referring to, Noni, but the CNMI society I know includes many hardworking and honest citizens who are perfectly willing to do the slow, unglamorous, steady work that needs to be done for the sake of our families and community. And they are not just willing -- they do it, day in and day out.
It is a greater testament to the resilience of the CNMI people that we have survived these times of adversity thus far. I find it amazing every day that there are no riots in the streets yet, no mass public protests, alarming outbreaks of crime. Societies have crumbled, exploded, or imploded under less pressure.
We are a patient people. Perhaps too patient. Fitial does not deserve any credit for that, let alone a second term.
Yet he does embody the persistence and resilience that are the strength of our people.
He might not “deserve” another term, but it's in our collective best interest that he continue to pour himself out for our sake.
Willie Tan abandoning Ben would be further evidence that Ben's heart is with his people.
Biba, Biba! Bota, Bota!
Political maturity? This bunch of ne'er-do-wells who couldn't figure out how to screw the lid on to a mayonaise jar?
We, the people, have the political maturity to re-elect a man who is getting things done for us during times of tremendous adversity.
We're not into “instant solutions” like poker machines.
If you vote for Fitial, you deserve the misery and suffering caused by an inept and ineffective dictator who serves master Willie Tan and his faithful cohorts but neglects the poor people of the Marianas.
Fitial should start praying for mercy from God. His soul is doomed to hell for all the deceit and lying and cheating he has done to his people. May the Lord God have mercy on his corrupt soul.
Even the former Ombudsperson is no longer flaunting the “instant solution” of a flashy workers' march with Tina. Instead he is now doing the diligent and mostly behind-the-scenes work of an AUSA. That's what we, the people need to do and are doing in our support of Ben and Eloy.
It's not about our personal jobs, but it is about our economy and our resilience as a people.
Anyone presuming to condemn Ben to hell does not reflect the values of, or truly understand, the people of the Marianas. You are not God!
Federalization does not mean the Feds order us who to vote for, Jim.
Instead of Willie Tan, we should all be serving our true masters -- George Miller, Allen P. Stayman, David Barrett Cohen, and AUSA James J. Benedetto.
The real puppetmasters.
Thankfully, Ben has the courage to stand up to the feds on our behalf, for the sake of our economy.
These power-hungry Feds want to take away our tourists from China and Russia!
Shame on you, Jim.
Thank you, Ben!
Sorry, I don't accept "shame on you" from anonymous pinheads.
I don't tell anyone how to vote, and I certainly haven't condemned anyone to hell, so leave me out of your cowardly, sniping, bullshit.
Point of clairification:
Ban is not standing up to the feds so that we can retain our ability to allow tourist from China and Russia to enter the CNMI under locally controlled immigration. He is fighting tooth and nail to retain his grip on cheap foreign guest workers who keep the minimum wage artificially depressed and prevent us citizens from securing entry level jobs and maintain a living in the CNMI.
Even if he succeeds in altering the federal takeover the best he can hope for is a delay and then the ability to keep bringing in guest workers. He concedes that the Federal Government has the right to implement immigration controls over the tourist we have been allowing to come in.
Shame on you, anonymous poster, for not doing your homework before praising a greedy governor who only wants to ensure his cash cow (the guest worker system) is not harmed.
Luckily, the 20, white, always-dissatisfied-because-they-are-not-in complete-control complainers who post here are not in control of the CNMI's elections. Cooler heads, with far more hair on them, will prevail and the process will choose someone who can take the reins and try to steer this horse around a track rigged by the US to cause failure so they can step in and screw over the indigenous here as they have done everywhere else they have ever gone.
Ben and Eloy may just be the best team advanced so far, to accomplish something positive for the people of the CNMI even in the face of the US attempted coup here. Let's hope so.
For certain we don't need 4 years of kowtowing to the Feds as the last chances for real meaningful self rule vanish under a pall of US Militarism and it's land and population control needs. That rules out the rest of the current crop of candidates.
Hooray Ben and Eloy, or anyone else who will try to fight back against the colonizers.
For those who haven't noticed, it takes money to keep our economy afloat.
So maintaining Labor's local control of current guest workers, so we can keep our private sector and government finances in order, is heroic, not shameful.
The artificial minimum wage is coming from the feds -- what is it in the Marshalls, FSM, and Palau? So how is the fed wage sustainable for us? A high minimum wage doesn't help me if I lose my job. Duh.
Also, your "clairification" is wrong -- no matter what, the feds will take control of new arrivals at the border, starting November 28, 2009. No one is fighting that.
"the 20 white always-dissatisfied-because-they-are-not in complete-control-complainers-who post here...." LOL..... :)
Someone is feeling insecure.
One wonders if the 20 were in complete control...what would this island really be like?
LOL!
Ronald Reagan died his hair and George Washington had false teeth.
Big deal.
Hardly disqualifing for inspirational leadership like theirs or Ben's.
Fitial will not win in any runoff. This is guaranteed.
The only people wanting Ben Tan reelected are those holding jobs with him or work with him under the Tan family.
Who do you think Ben Fitial's opponent in the Run-Off? He is still the man to beat.
Last night after reading all the negative comments toward this administration. I decided to think about the positive things done by this government. After some thinking I could only come up with the Aggreko contract and how it helped stave off the load shedding debacle we had to suffer under. Then I remembered that the generator sets were shipped out of Hong Kong on a shipping line owned by Willie Tan...then where the Aggreko employees are staying?... and then.... there I was back to all the negative crap this governor has pulled off and who has put money into their bank accounts from all the backroom single source dealings.
To those wanting to reelect Ben Fitial, look at how things are now:
-CHC. Catastrophe.
-CUC. Catastrophe. Ridlyme. Aggreko.
DPL. Catastrophe. Marpi homestead.
DPS. Catastrophe. Nepotism.
DPW. Catastrophe. Incompetence. Diego Songsong clueless.
Same for all other agencies.
Biba Juan Pan and Joe Camacho. The only change candidates.
Sorry 5:59 noni... Juan Pan is a failed businessman similar to many of the "Special Assistants" to the Gov. Look at the Retirement Fund under his watch. He committed political suicide when he announced there will be a stop on(as of Sept 1) all refunds to those leaving Gov service asking for their portion of compulsory payments. Imagine the problems PSS,CUC,DPW,AG's office and more importantly CHC recruiting depts will now have trying to get qualified people out here? Would you sign a contract when it states compulsory Retirement Fund payments and then it states you will not be able to get your refund when your contract is completed? There is a serious shortage of qualified doctors, nurses,teachers, and lawyers in all areas of government service. This dumb move will just make it worse. Uncle Joe? Well just as the song says..."Uncle Joe, he went out to buy a lake" Do we need another above the law looney tunes Lt. Gov. with a "self perceived aristocratic chamorro pedigree"?
Anon above. You forgot to add that Willie Tan has his tentacles into Juan Pan too. Same same but different.
Tan contributes to Fitial, Juan Pan, and Kumoi.
Heinz and Arnold do not cater to them.
Heinz and Arnold.
Positive change for the future.
they'd be better named "tan-tecles"
heinz and aronold don't need tan's money because rex palacios stole a shitload of money from the micro games and the pacific gardenia...and cpa. btw, what happened to those airport generators under your watch, sexy rexie?
Juan Pan's ban on retirement contributions is foolish (and probably illegal), but it will not hurt PSS, CUC, DPW, OAG, and CHC recruitment.
Under Fitial's Defined Contribution Plan, new recruits since 2006 contribute to separate, portable, individual accounts whose employer contributions vest or not according to statutory terms: 25% after 2 years, 50% after 3 years, 75% after 4 years, and 100% after 5 years. 1 CMC § 8464(b).
It is only the longer-term employees whose Defined Benefit Plan withdrawal refunds are at risk, not new recruits in the Defined Contribution Plan.
I wonder if Juan Pan was trying to stampede workers into resigning from the government before September 1, 2009, to make the Fitial Administration look bad.
or, open up a lot of government positions thinking he's going to win the elections. the law is clear, anyone who resigns and withdraws his/her retirement contributions is prohibited from being rehired or employed by the cnmi government for a period of six months. the new administration takes the oath of office in january... exactly six months from now. or, four months after the september 1, 2009 cutoff date for employees wishing to lump sum their retirement contributions (for a period no more than 15 years).
Everyone knows the runoff will be between Hofschneider and Fitial.
Voting for one of the other two will be a waste of your vote.
Im not so sure. The question is whether Fitial can even pull more votes than Kumoi.
thanks for the early morning laugh! kumoi? my god, man, that guy has absolutely zero chance of winning. i mean, look at their slogan: "say no to cuc surcharge!"
lol! are you kidding me? are his signs from 2005? kumoi is an idiot and borja bought his doctorate from a degree mill.
these two are a joke.
Interesting comment about Juan Pan the glorious benifactor of the Retirement Fund. As a matter of fact there are a number of gov employees leaving gov service beacause of the Retirement Fund threat to stop refund payments on Sept 1 for the "unforseeable future" Some grumblers are complaining there was no public hearing to voice concerns and are talking about a class action suit.
Heinz and Fitial will reach the runoff. Juan Pan will not overcome the Fitial votes he gets by naming department heads and hiring another thousand plus those thousand or so voting spouses.
Jan Pan will then throw his support to Fitial and Kumoi, having been slaughtered in the first election, will toss his eight hundred votes to Heinz...as if his followers would really follow his lead.
In the end, Heinz will win 57%, or about 6000 votes of about 10.5k, leaving Fitial badly beaten at 43%.
Noni:
I want some the drugs you are on!
That's interesting. Juan Pan's voters to Fitial, Kumoi's to Heinz.
What if the voters decide to do that before the run-off? I wonder what the split on the Babauta voters will be as far as Heinz and Fitial.
It doesn't take a class action to get one's money back from the NMIRF. Once the first lawsuit is filed and won, that Juan Pan policy will be out the window.
If you don't have enough to file alone, a class action suit makes sense.
Well, it makes a lot more money for the lawyer.
But if you want your issue decided quickly, it makes no sense. And under a federal constitutional tort claim, there are statutory attorneys fees available from the losing defendant. So if the lawyer is confident of the merits of the case, suggesting a class action often means that the lawyer is a money-grubber, putting his own interests above the client's.
Damn had a feeling there was a hook somewhere in there by our attentive caring attorney. We feel violated!
Juan Pan sells RETIREMENT FUND HOMES TO FAMILY MEMBERS.
Can you prove this with accurate info?
Juan Pan sells GREAT TURKEY DINNERS AT THANKSGIVING!
Yes, but don't pay Juan Pan in advance... Pay when you pick it up!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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