Dear Editor,
This letter is geared towards MP Christophe Emmanuel and the article that was in the newspaper dated Tuesday, May, 8, 2018. And his talks on Sint Maarten going independent. The question I’m posing to MP Christophe Emmanuel is: Independence? Where? How? And are we even ready for such a monumental step?
I don’t know if you’ve taken a look around, Mister MP, but Sint Maarten is in no way ready for independence. So many things need to be put in place for this island to be ready for independence. Right now we’ve barelyed scratch the surface on recovery from Hurricane Irma. Roofs are still blue and people are still to this very day displaced.
We were hardly ready for 10-10-10 as it is. And now you’re dropping this atom bomb in our lap? What are you thinking? Our economy needs to be stable. We import more than we export. Our tourism sector needs a speedy revamp. We need more diversity when it comes to sources of income because all we have right now is tourism. There’s so much that needs revising.
Everyone always speaks of independence.
How would independence affect our travel? Our monetary system? Security? Travel restrictions from European- and American-based airlines, cargo lines, cruise lines? What about pur open borders with the French side? Would this affect our long-standing treaty that has been in effect for all these decades?
Look at what’s happening in the UK. We need to observe and learn from what’s happening there. We are not ready for independence! Don’t put the people through unnecessary hardship that can be avoided. I plead with you to use common sense. Think this through and plot a better path. Your intentions may be in the right place or maybe it’s not. But this move is a “No Bueno”. We have nothing but tourism and as you can see from the disgruntled looks of store owners and vendors alike. WE ARE NOT READY!
Now, as for the talks on cannabis I am all for it. I’m not a smoker myself. But it’s high time we legalize marijuana. Done properly as you said yearly income can be great and a further boost for our economy. You’re on the right path with this. So I suggest setting up a department to deal with this new venture into the 21st century is amazing. That department can create more jobs for the people. So focus on that for now and let’s take this one step at a time. Marijuana has many benefits especially where health is concerned. Recreational use is never a bad thing. Which will help remove a lot of the social stigma attached to this natural herb.
But Independence? Let’s put this on the far, far, far back burner for now. Elections were called and I saw absolutely no sense in that. 10-10-10 we were in no way ready for it. And now independence? I plead insanity.
Name withheld at author’s request.
