Dear Editor,
I am usually in the know, but this time around I am confused. I am not into following rumours that is why I depend on the media for facts and because of transparency of government on those who understand the meaning and I accept as reliable sources.
Why should I be confused? Because the same member of government who is in the thick of things in connection with the latest toppling of government and the forming of a new government, is in a doubt because of gross violation of article 59 of the Sint Maarten Constitution. That same member refrains from going to IPKO to assure that we form a new government within the allotted time, which as we have read is to be sworn in on Monday, January 15.
This makes no sense to me. Are we going to get what has become a now famous word in the world of politics a “fake" government? Is this going to be another one of those shaky episodes of our government since 10-10-'10? Can somebody explain the people where we stand? Strange enough, but because I am sure that there is not much to present (offer) to the people, I believe and hope that all of those parties would take whatever little time they have to at least explain the people why.
In spite of the doubts expressed in writing by formateur Sarah Wescot-Williams, we can be assured of a stable government. Why in spite of that gross violation of article 59 of the Sint Maarten Constitution there should be no fear of annulments other than what has become common place, the political games of toppling the government?
My solution for that is to get out all of those members of government who have been in there and put in 15 new faces. Out with the old and in with the new. Stop with the recycling and shuffling of the members of government and in with twenty-two new ones (both levels). If we can accept those who will be sworn in on Monday, there are a whole lot more of competent young Sint Maarteners who can give us for starters at least four years of stable government, as I have written before, on our way to re-establishing the name of Sint Maarten. Fifty to sixty thousand people is not the big leagues, it is merely a pawn.
Russell A. Simmons
