Dear Editor,
The longer our current Prime Minister William Marlin sits as the leader of this country, the more he proves himself to be incompetent to lead the people on this young, sixteen- square-miles of land we all call home.
Every year around Christmas or New Year, St. Maarten’s Day or the new school year, our elected leaders release a message, in this case a Christmas message. Now this message is about wishing the residents of St. Maarten “Happy Holidays.” It’s about love, hope and joy! It’s about reminding the public that giving is what Christmas is all about.
Here is a verse from the Holy Bible that I believe explains what Christmas is all about in one sentence – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” - John 3:16
It’s about our leaders sharing a positive message to the public, voided from any political attacks, jabs, kicks or cheap shots.
The Prime Minister somehow feels that as 2015 comes to a closure, breaking that tradition was necessary above all things. Like the snake slithering through the grass, Mr. Marlin’s message perfectly tied his Christmas message with a direct attack to the previous government and leaders of our country, and then quickly tried to take the focus away from what was just said. Here is a section of the message leading up to the attack and what followed right after the one sentenced attack.
“For only then are we assured of the promised results. Mary and Joseph complied with that biblical injunction to give onto Caesar what is Caesar’s.
“When we refuse to obey the law, when we conveniently manipulate the Constitution to our own advantage, what ensues is the kind of political turmoil we recently experienced on St. Maarten.
“Above all, the main lesson of the story of Christmas is one of love; Divine love, Family love, Love of our neighbour which is a manifestation of our love for ourselves.” - end of quote.
Once again, I am disappointed in the Prime Minister. Never have I seen any St. Maarten government leader use the traditional Christmas Message as a tool for a political attack, and if any has done so in the past they were wrong. If you wish to attack feel free to do so, but do not hijack the Christmas Message as your political platform.
In closing, Mr. Prime Minister, I believe you can also learn a lesson from your own message of “obedience.” The Mexican Standoff in 2013, disobedience to the Country's laws and breach of the constitution all came from you and your party.
Five coals for you Mr. Naughty Prime Minister, you deserve it.
Armand Meda
