The first election I experienced here four years ago I was relatively new and stayed inside, so I was oblivious to it all. I was off island during the last gubernatorial election two years ago. Today I really soaked up the carnival atmosphere of a CNMI election. The signs, the honking, the waving, more signs, more waving and the candidates on the scene. Where were the balloons, cotton candy and the potato sack race? I stopped by early and it was packed. By 3:00 pm it wasn't bad at all, and I really didn't have to wait.
I cast enthusiastic votes for Tina, Cinta, Galvin, Clyde Norita and Judge Govendo, all of whom I know, like and respect as leaders and thinkers. Those were absolute "for" votes, not lesser of evils votes. I think the CNMI would have elite leadership if those people were elected, which is a sentence I never thought I would write. I refused to vote for the municipal council in protest of their existence. It doesn't matter with three names on the ballot and the ability to choose three representatives -- there was no competition for the appendix vote. I voted no for the casino because it was written so horribly. I'd like to see a casino on Saipan, just not this scheme. I had to take a deep breath to be on the same side as the obnoxious numbnuts in blogger land campaigning against it. Those people, really that person, made themselves so unlikable that I half wanted to vote yes, but of course I went no. I enthusiastically voted for the runoff. I thought Roman Benavente did well in our forum at SVES, so he got the second BOE nod, and he has always listened and tried to help when I approached him. Joseph Guerrero got my vote for House for his performance in the education roundtable. I could have voted for more house members, and there were some I kind of like, but I didn't want to diminish my votes for Tina and Cinta, whose candidacies are the two I'm most hopeful about. If either lost by one vote, I'd have to open a vein, and after seeing Bush steal two elections, I know sometimes the vote totals are close. I think there really were candidates worth voting "for" this year, and that is a positive.
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5 comments:
:) I voted the same way for the Muni Council.. I didn't. The same thoughts also went through my mind regarding giving my vote to someone I considered questionable.. I didn't for fear of Tina or another candidate I really wanted to see in, losing by a few votes. With the exception of Govendo, :)Good Job. Not that you need or want my praise.
Yo Jeff, thanks again for the support. Tina, Cinta, Clyde, Judge Govendo, and myself--you're a political party's worst nightmare: someone who votes independently. If only more voters voted like you, then we would have a true pluralism in government, which I think would yield better governance.
By the way, since Governor Fitial is not going to hold elections for the teacher rep to the board as Governor Babauta did a few years ago, who do you recommend be the teacher rep? I think it's only natural that the ACT President be given the honor.
I almost emailed this question to you, but I thought it would be a good one to discuss in the blogosphere.
Lastly, I thought you'd get a kick out of the fact that there's now overwhelming bi-partisan opposition to Bush in Congress. Could Bush be too toxic for incumbents? Also, the religious right can't settle on any one candidate, and there's increasing talk that the religious right isn't as all-powerful as they once were or ever claimed to be. I now think that Brittney Spears has a better chance of staging a comeback than the U. S. Republicans. Perhaps she's not as toxic as Karl Rove...especially the rapping Karl Rove.
I recommend Betty or me, G.
I think those candidates are damn good. I'd almost bet we'd have good government if those people won.
just as long as the rep isn't names jaime, ambrose, or someone picked by the governor.
teachers need to organize and start making policy rather than being on the receiving end of the shaft year after year.
what am i saying? i mean day after day!
To my dear friends, family, and supporters:
Words cannot express how deeply I appreciate all your support and encouragement during my candidacy. The road that I travelled during these past few months was long and lined with potholes filled with mud, but it was a road worth travelling. You made my journey smooth and fun and lined both sides of the road with beautiful scenes of flowers and sunsets that helped ease my mind. I can't thank you enough.
I decided to run for office because of my concern for my children and their peers. As a mother, I am paranoid at the thought of leaving my children behind in a world that is unkind and unaccomodating to their needs. I wanted to literally pave the road and line it with guardrails to keep them safe and rest stops with restaurants that serve nutritious meals and hotels with soft comfy beds. I wanted to literally ensure that they rise with the sun and return to bed when the moon is high with the littlest worries in their minds and hearts. I still want this and I will continually want and work hard to fulfill this "dream" of mine.
I decided to run for office because I wanted to be the voice of single parents who are struggling to make ends meet and help them provide for the needs of their little ones. I decided to run for office because I wanted to be the voice of our elders, whom as parents, share the same concern for the future of the CNMI and its children.
I may have not made it to the top six, but this minor barrier will not hinder any plans that I have to fulfill my dreams of making the CNMI a better place, a prosperous place, and once again, your place and mine. I was raised with the principle and belief that it is better to give than receive and to be there for anyone and everyone. I have lived and will continue to live my life with these principles and belief. It will take me more time to make my dreams a reality, but they will become a reality. I will not give up until I have succeeded in fulfilling this dream as it is also the dream of, if not all then, many parents.
So until next election, if I decide to join the race again, I will continue to concentrate and work on my projects which include the Emergency Medical Services for Children, Traumatic Brain Injury prevention, KES PTSA, Baby Pedro Memorial Fund, Sexual Offender Registry and will continue to push for legislation that will increase fines and penalties for crimes against children.
Once again, Olomwaay, Olomwaay, Si Yuus Ma'ase, and many more Thank Yous from the bottom of my Heart and the depths of my soul to you and yours for standing by my side throughout my journey as a candidate and a child of the CNMI. Please remember, I am still here for you and will continue to be here for you. If you need my help you can email me at rosetada@yahoo.com or rose@rosetadahocog.com
Sincerest Olomwaay,
Rose Nelly Taman Ada-Hocog
#12 Precinct One
Covenant Party
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