Dear Editor,
Can we ask the Minister of Finance just like they did while interrogating several of our young Sint Maarteners who were either left out to dry or were fall guys? Where is the money? Moneys of more than 40 years of booming economy blown away seemingly by a hurricane? Moneys that were managed during all those years by many of the same people who are in government today and definitely by Sarah, Marlin and Theo and several more of those in Parliament. Where is the money from the taxes of all those economic booming years, deposited by the taxpayers?
If they cannot tell us, they have failed us and still failing and should not be in there anymore being unable to give an account of the whereabouts of we the taxpayers’ money. Yes, after working 41 years for government and being almost 12 years on pension I am still a taxpayer.
By the way it was impressed on me that many employers do not deposit their employees’ pay-as-you-earn tax at the Receiver’s Office and nothing is done about it, even though this is known by the competent authorities. Like we does say. Nothing to doubt because as was mentioned by government officials only 26 percent of the people of Sint Maarten or of the working population pay taxes.
I do not include myself in the working population and I as well so many others like me, pay taxes so I have to conclude that it is 26 percent of the people of Sint Maarten pay taxes. and I have to ask: If 25 percent of the voters are original Antillians, then what percent of those Antillians are taxpayers?
I had to mention that because that to me justifies and help put the emphasis on the question: Where is the money? Can we say that the money is in the Causeway and the Boardwalk or in half-dead palm trees along the road?
I oftentimes let others know what I'm about to write about, so while writing I was reminded about the waste of the taxpayers’ money by putting down those bricks in the Front and Back Streets and along the other roads. So it is not only I who understand the need for the question, where is the money?
Now that we have asked about money we also know that the Minister must have known months before this week that he was going to let us know that there is no money. So could not he have done that before so many people who had alternate priorities embark on them? And would not the people then have the opportunity to rearrange their priorities?
I am sure that because of that sudden announcement of not having any money many a restaurant which are dearly needed because of Irma will be deserted. People will have to spend whatever money they have in the supermarket and cook at home.
I would like to know the reason for that move.
By the way, screening is not the reason for the delay in going to the governor. I was told it's a fight for the crown. One say “men don't wear crowns, men wear caps” and went on to say “over my dead body” and the other answered “but that is right up my alley” then another one who was there say “throw dirt over that man.”
In the meantime I have read that municipalities in Holland are offering to help. In my opinion a good intention but should they again trust putting money in the hands of those who have not managed it correctly in the past? And is not help from municipalities to Sint Maarten the same as small brother bailing out big brother who did not save for a rainy day? Again Daddy did not keep his eyes on things. Daddy was about letting them mess up. I believe that our people in government are aware of this and took advantage of it.
So we have to start showing them from now that all of them going in the next month or two. This should not be I have to defend NA against UP and DP. This should be out with all of them. If they were in there before, out with them.
We flying a complete different flag in the next few months. It is time for the people to enjoy what the people work for. Out with them.
Russell A. Simmons
