Jim,

>Seems to me that you are really only "partial" US citizens though, considering that the US in particular pushes the great democracy that it is where everyone's vote counts.

Yes, but I don't think locals here pay US tax, either. (I pay US self-employment and social security).

>On the other hand, assuming CNMI has a nice sweet deal for businesses establishing there as Puerto Rico has, maybe you are better off.

Well, yes...having control of our own Immigration, in particular, gives the CNMI the advantage of having cheap foreign labor come here to work. This IS a huge controversy, and, some in the US want this to change (mainly those in the garment industry, masquerading as human rights activists). There are charges of labor abuses here (as there are ALSO in the garment industry in the US, actually). I SURELY do not abide by *** ANY *** abuses, but I believe that most workers here are treated well, and that they are THRILLED to be working. I understand that the workers are able to support their families back home.

In addition, in the sweet deal that was made, manufacturers here are legally able to add "Made in the USA" to their garments...now the US wants to change that...perhaps they should have thought more about it when they made the agreement.

BTW, the economy here is the pits right now...ever since the Asian economy crashed (tourism is the largest industry)...even our fast food places (Wendy's!) are closing...I may have to consider leaving if things don't improve.

The CNMI also receives quite a bit of US grant money (thank goodness - my business is one of the beneficiaries of that money!), as do many of the other ex-US trust territory entities.

This is a strange mix of first and third whold here...US and not US, etc.

J