WORD OF OUR SOLDIERS

ST Rls - Letters to the EditorFriday, August 22, 2008
http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=15&newsID=82745

Vote for change


I'm here in the U.S. with my fellow comrades of the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, E. Company for our annual training, then mobilizing to Middle East. While sitting around listening to our guys from Saipan chatting, they appeared to be angry, while others were surprised about the bad news from Saipan. “Hey, did you know that Tim, our Lt. Governor, was indicted?” One person said, “Wow, I don't believe it, the Lt. Governor will do no such a thing.” Another person said, “He is such a nice person, I never thought he would do such a thing.” In another corner of the group popped another comment, “I'm not surprised, with those corrupted politicians.”

My first reaction in my mind was, “Oh my God, I cannot imagine how his children will be affected at school and their peers. They are the innocent in all these problem, and yet they will forever be affected for the rest of their lives. I felt the urge to contribute to the discussion, but I thought if it would really matter. I continued to sit around the training area and listened to the chatting group, only to feel angrier about how our soldiers are concerned about the political corruption problems in the CNMI. Here we are, going to another country to risk our lives to fight another corrupt government, even as it is happening in our own island.

People of the CNMI, if we don't rise up and vote smart for new leaders, this disease of corruption will continue to exist. It irritates me to see veteran politician laugh at the newly elected officials for their inexperience. I see veteran politicians as the experienced ones in the corruption game. It's time for a change in the next election for better lives. Vote for new leaders, vote for change, and for better lives.

SSG Fabian M. Indalecio
San Antonio, Saipan