PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i

By Zaldy Dandan

SAIPAN, CNMI (Dec. 12) - "Culture" used to be the all-purpose scapegoat for everything that goes wrong in the community. Political grandstanding, misspending of public funds, domestic violence -- you name it and "culture" is blamed. It’s never because the perps are grandstanders, thieves and violent. No. It’s because of "culture" nai, and never mind if similar incidents happen in places where there is snow and no one chews pugua (betelnut).

But now, move over "culture." There’s a new fall guy in town.

Meet, "The Bad Economy."

Here’s what a business executive has to say about a recent burglary and theft incident: "She believes that the incident is an indication of the challenges in the economy. ‘There are so many (burglaries) going on right now. It’s very hard economic times for a lot of different people. I think it’s a little bit out of desperation from probably some of the people who are doing these."

A lawmaker has also weighed in and told our reporter that, "we’re starting to become an island of thieves. Right now the entire community is reeling from the economic downturn and some people want a quick dollar and, unfortunately, some of their activities are affecting us."

Well.

I know several locals, most of them have kids in college and huge bills to pay and whose salaries were cut and power bills doubled by politicians who promised them Better Times. Amazingly, instead of burglarizing DFS or stealing CUC’s copper wire, they have cut their expenses, reduced the use of their air-cons and electric stoves and vowed to kick the bums out in the next elections. They also want to know why "The Bad Economy" has not turned everyone into burglars and thieves, and why these criminals also thrive in places where the economy is booming. Moreover, they realize that to blame an economy whose meltdown began in 1998 for criminal incidents known to happen even before is an insult to everyone struggling in these trying times but remaining law-abiding citizens.

Why is it that no one ever does anything anymore and we have to blame something or someone else for the choices we and we alone make?

On Capital Hill, the administration, almost a year since it was sworn into office, is still blaming its predecessor for the government’s financial mess.

The government, which allowed for the creation of a Third World economy that has to sustain a wasteful and overspending public sector, blames the private sector for the local unemployment rate.

PSS teachers blame Praxis for their failure to pass tests on subjects that they’re supposed to be teaching to their students.

Lawmakers are urging banks and financial institutions to be "lenient" to lenders whose finances were ruined by the same lawmakers’ decision to allow the administration to implement pay cuts and double the power rates.

And now we want the criminals out there to have a convenient excuse for their criminal acts.

What does DPS say? Its spokesman told us that the number of thefts this year is about the same as last year. What’s "new," he added, is the rising number of copper wire thefts. The same incidents have also been reported on Guam…whose economy is on the upswing.

So who is committing these crimes? Criminals. Why? Because they think they can get away with it. What’s the solution? Better law enforcement. And if we as a community are truly distressed by rampant thievery - and we should be - then we should also help the police catch these criminals. Or not. It’s our choice.

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