Dear Editor,
First a few Questions:
1. Is it a coincidence that a fall in government happened 10 days before the anniversary of 10-10-10?
2. Were the brewing rumours of a fall in government true?
3. How is it that this came as a surprise and rocked the boat?
All three of the questions mentioned above are questions we might never get the answers to, frankly I don’t mind. However, these are just some of the questions that I think the public should get the answers to, or at least some consideration should be given to them.
Q: What effect will this have on the morale of the people of St. Maarten?
A: They already feel as if this is a four-year-long session of "musical chairs."
Q: How will we be perceived in the eyes of the international community, what effects of having yet another government will have in respects to projects in the pipeline, contracts made with investors and stakeholders etc.? As it pertains to stability, will this scare investors off?
I can only imagine that SGs and department heads are rolling their eyes and saying “Ayo lawd” with the thought of having to be introduced to yet another minister and support staff; having to explain and debrief on things that were in the pipeline, and the most timely and harassing of them all having to wait and be explained of the “incoming minister's vision” for their respective ministries.
My opinion is simple and straight to the point. I never liked the idea of one declaring oneself an independent member of Parliament in order to throw down government. I feel you joined a political party because of its core value and you know of the party’s vision and your vision lined up with theirs. You campaigned and begged for eight or more seats so as to gain a majority in the People's House. What could have ever happened that you will changed allegiance and joined the very same political party you so vigorously campaigned against?
Well, I will tell you what happened. When you campaigned under the slogan “we ready” and it took a little over a year to complete a ministers cabinet, and in the meanwhile the country is on a standstill, nothing can be done because the ministers’ hands are tied and they can't work, not because of incompetence but because they are commissioned to hold on.
When you see that it took forever to bring out a governing programme, and when you finally do there is no cohesion between ministries and it is lacking in content; especially when the other group had theirs ready to be presented in less than a week.
When you see that your political leader vowed to be Prime Minister in front of their supporters for the whole world to see. And, when confronted with an obstacle decided not to challenge the system, did not even become president of Parliament, as a matter of fact was not even a fraction leader, then you question the individual’s leadership ability.
When you notice that you're in a coalition government and you are the last to know and nothing you are allowed to give your input on. When you realise that the team you are in is so busy covering tracks and struggling to serve the people. I mean, St. Maarten is hurting and the inactive behaviour of government is unacceptable. Government-owned companies not serving the people of St. Maarten. The board of managing directors not answering questions in sessions of Parliament. just a whole free-for-all going on.
Having said this, better days must come our way. A change from this failed government can only be a step up.
Herbert M. J. Martina
