Dear Editor,
Déjà vu we must say. This is nothing new for our people. After reading about the arrest of MP Silvio Matser and the fact that the budget meeting, during which one of our most important documents that has to be approved by our Parliamentarians was postponed because of a lack of Quorum, Concordia Political Alliance (CPA) is wondering if our elected officials are serious about the positive advancement of our country, or just about their own selfish desires.
Having to postpone the 2016 Budget meeting when there is a deadline to have our budget approved, we believe is a very irresponsible act. CPA would like to know from our Prime Minister William Marlin and Governor Eugene Holiday what is next for St. Maarten and its people. The people need to know that they can rely on the word of these two very powerful positions and leaders of our country as opposed to being led by rumours they are confronted with whenever there is a political crisis on our island. Who should we turn to for answers? Where is St. Maarten heading?
Like a lady wrote in one of our newspapers, is St. Maarten truly being governed similar to a banana republic, where everyone can do whatever they wish to do without any consequences. Can we rely on our justice system to treat our citizens and elected officials in a fair manner? Can we expect that our leaders will be transparent enough to tell us the truth, and nothing else but the truth, because that is what sets us free?
Or, do we just use words to appease our people to make them believe that we have their best interest at heart when we full well know that we are all about self and big egos, which keep us in bondage. This Government calling itself an open and transparent Government is a fallacy. In addition to that, could we rely on our newspapers to truly bring us information that has been properly researched and not mislead our people, so that even if our leaders do not bring accurate information, at least our newspapers could be a buffer to represent sound information?
Sad to say that our people are all confused because of the feedback we are getting from them, whenever we are out on our weekly Tuesday Neighbourhood visits. We hear the cries of our people and we keep on telling them they should not cry, but make the difference because they have the power to stop their cries by supporting and ensuring that St. Maarten be represented by persons who have their best interest at heart, especially the best interest of our next generation, our youth.
Should they inherit a country without integrity and moral values? Is this fair to our children whom we all say we care so much for, or is it that we are misleading them as well by making them believe that we really care. What message are we sending our own local youngsters when we see that immigrants from far away can be appointed in political positions, while our own people are being neglected and left behind?
What kind of leaders from any country will ever put others above their own? According to CPA, St. Maarten should not have such leaders in power. St. Maarten, you are the judge and jury. You have a secret weapon in your hand called the ballet, not the bullet, which can bring about a radical change. Use it to your advantage to make a difference. CPA encourages and supports the empowerment and protection of our people, and especially of our next generation. What is next for St. Maarten and its people? The answer is: Together we can by being the solution to the many challenges we have. St. Maarten will live on!
Leader Jeffrey Richardson
and Board of Concordia Political Alliance
