Dear Editor,
As the campaign moves along more and more, I see the momentum leaning in the direction of young politicians. History would tell me that this is good. New blood and more diverse ideas coming together is what we desperately need in Sint Maarten. It goes without saying that those older politicians with a track record of throwing down all those previous governments, will continue to do the same, and their cronies will continue to plead for them to come back.
I will not dare call Cuthbert Banis a crony, but he definitely put himself in a strange light with me when he puts black on white asking for eleven seats for the UD. After seeing which politicians ended up where after every toppling of government, and realizing that the DP party was never left out of any of those governments, I do not think it is naiveté which makes a man want to put a combination of UP and DP in office again. And outright, mind you.
I do not think he would ask for that and no one would react. Like I stated on occasions the young people are constantly surprising me these days with knowledge of important matters concerning the country. Many of them also realize they are systematically being kept down by those in government who consider them a threat. One of them asked me if I think it is right to eventually appoint Sarah Wescot to the Advisory Council after Wescot considered giving advice to the Prime Minister “degrading"?
Give that a thought. It is degrading for members of Parliament to offer advice to a Minister. So I have to continue stressing on the people of Sint Maarten to get rid of the old, who by now we all know are instrumental in never making an effort to abolish that infamous dreaded "six-month contract”.
I continue to notice that the Christian Party is making all effort to do things the correct way. Which is totally contrary to those members of government who cannot show anything they have done feasible to the people. It seems monotonous, but that is what it is. Total disregard for the people and the proof is in the last toppling of government. They cannot promise dignified government because they have proven not to be interested in the well-being of the people.
And are trying their utmost not to have anything with integrity. Integrity is a behaviour advocated in the Scriptures. A behaviour which even atheists respect. All the more reason for the cry "Out with the old and in with the new".
Russell A. Simmons
