Dear Editor,
In commemorating the 10-year anniversary of St. Maarten achieving its “country” status within the Dutch Kingdom, we owe it to our readers and followers to at least paint an honest picture of where we are as we approach 10-10-2020.
We understand the need of some including our Prime Minister to paint a rosy picture and speak of a “decade of victory” but that would neglect to see the real state of affairs our country is in 10 years after the fact.
We guess it all depends on how a person defines or interprets the meaning of “victory”. For a country the definition should be quite simple:
Are the citizens/residents of the island better off that they were 10 years ago? Do they have an improved standard of living 10 years later?
To help us analyze the so-called “victory”, we can do so by looking at this through 3 categories as per the below.
The positives
St. Maarten separated from the Netherlands Antilles and became our own “country” within the Kingdom having a direct relationship with the Netherlands (no more Curaçao-based federal government to deal with).
St. Maarten continues to be an attractive destination for tourists despite our lack of cohesiveness or destination marketing plans.
The Netherlands has committed millions of dollars for the development of the island and provided liquidity support during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit it being a zero-per-cent loan.
The dump stopped burning continuedly for the past 2 years.
With the assistance of the Dutch, many corrupted politicians have been exposed, charged and convicted.
The new hospital project seems to be progressing hopefully resulting in an enhancement of the local health care system and adding to the island’s income as it also attracts medical visitors to the island from neighboring islands/region and reduced the medical referrals abroad which means: more money stays within St. Maarten’s economy.
The negatives
Political instability (9 different governments in 10 years) resulting in a lack of decision-making on crucial issues and no continuity for long-term policy-making.
St. Maarten used to be the one of the leaders and innovators in the Caribbean tourism marketplace. Currently, we are followers of our competitors’ initiatives.
No ethics as multiple politicians accused and convicted continue to serve in Government roles.
Stakeholder participation and input is at an all-time low. Tri-Partite Committees are disbanded, put on dormant or not actively engaged.
Self-inflicted disasters (e.g. 9 governments), Hurricanes Irma/Maria and now the COVID-19 pandemic have brought the economy to a halt and there seems no plan to fix it (nor urgency to do so).
The public educational system has not seen any innovation, lowering the quality of our education as the world prepares their youngsters for a 21st century world.
Antiquated tax and labor system holding back economic progress and further investment from local sources and abroad.
No concern or plan to maintain and/or safeguard our natural environment and heritage.
Relationship with the French-side government is at an all-time low.
Relationship with the Netherlands government is at an all-time low.
Government and publicly-owned companies are bankrupt.
Lack of financial accountability and independent timely reporting of financial results of Government and publicly-owned companies (e.g. Government’s Annual Accounts are 5 years late, making expenditure scrutiny and accountability a futile exercise, reports and recommendations from St. Maarten’s General Audit Chamber are mostly ignored).
Lack of reliable and timely statistics that prevent any qualified individual in a leadership position to make sound financial and/or socially beneficial decisions.
Dysfunctional coalition government(s) result in a lack of a cohesive plan and lack of coordination between the various Ministries (e.g. each Ministry seems to operate as an island within Government).
The unforeseen
Hurricanes Irma/Maria
COVID-19 Pandemic
It is obvious that the unforeseen circumstances hastened the downward spiral in which the country finds itself now. Calling our last 10 years a “victory” is either a clear sign of being in denial or at best a dishonest self-evaluation of the performance of the country.
Moving forward, we encourage the leaders (on both sides of the Atlantic) to put away their egos and rear-view mirror and sit down and negotiate the so-called “Caribbean Reform Entity” (CRE) in a similar fashion that both our sister islands Curaçao and Aruba have done.
Curaçao has reached an agreement with the Netherlands this week and has made a political commitment as they approve a so-called “Body for Reform and Development (BRD) instead of the CRE. Curaçao’s Prime Minister Ruggenaath even stated:
“No takeover of legislative and administrative powers. The intention is that the entity will work for and with Curaçao, it is envisaged that frequent consultations will be held with the government of Curaçao. The Netherlands will co-invest in the island’s economy, including in good education and accessible care,” says Rhuggenaath. “The Netherlands has explicitly committed itself to this,” said Rhuggenaath.
Hence, why should St. Maarten not be able to do the same which is in the best interest of St. Maarten? Let’s make the next decade one that we turn things around for the better (on all fronts) so in 10 years’ time we may jointly conclude: St. Maarten is a better place to live than in 2020.
SXM Talks
Dear Editor,
In the paper of October 6, 2020, I read two articles concerning the police, one from Statia and one from St. Maarten.
I have to congratulate Chief Robelto Hodge for the candid and professional manner in which he responded to the allegations against Statia’s police officers.
Chief Hodge mentioned that “one of the benefits of working on Statia is that everyone knows everyone.” I had the pleasure of working as acting chief of police on Statia on several occasions and I would have had added what I thought Chief Hodge tactically omitted: “and everybody is aware of the activities of everyone.”
I dare mention this because during my tenure on Statia I always expressed that the crime rate on Statia could become nihil if everybody would use that knowledge and police each other, for the good of Statia. I used to tell them that if you see wrongdoing and do not do anything about it, it is just as if you yourself are promoting wrongdoing.
I believe that we are all aware of the interpretation of Proverbs 13:24.
Chief Hodge outlined precisely what policing is about. The people of Statia should save that article and visit it regularly.
The other article concerning the police is the departure of the National Police. I do not understand why all this explanation. Did we really not expect this? I can really see the lack of the knowledge of the Dutch language and their sayings. What happened to “Ik ken mijn pappenheimers”? Do we really not know who we are dealing with? If you empty the glass of its content and do not replenish it, what do you expect?
Do we really believe that COVID-19 is the sole reason for not being able to adapt to the numbers anticipated? I was sixteen years old and had an indelible experience in school with Dutch teachers. So, I am automatically alerted with whom I’m dealing. I grew up and even though I believe in forgiveness, there is always that alert signal when dealing with certain situations. I was a police officer recruited and trained by the Dutch and was taught to always have a “back-up plan” in case the original plan did not work out. So, I do not believe that there was no “what if” question.in the deliberation concerning the period of time that the National Police would be here.
And why leave in August without replacement knowing that the hurricane season is not predictable Would I be wrong in assuming that the Dutch are using this tactic to cover up abuse of power? And then I ask myself, do they really have the people of St. Maarten at heart? Why should 60,000 people have to pay for the deeds of 50 people?
There is a saying in Dutch “Boontje komt om zijn loontje”. I was sitting among some people when the news broke that Donald Trump had tested positive for the coronavirus. My first reaction was “Oh no”. One of the people there said to me, “How you mean ‘oh no’, that is Donald Trump. He got what he deserved.” This made me think of that Dutch saying.
I looked up the meaning of the word “empathy” in the Dutch dictionary and it explains “De vermogen zich in te leven in de gevoelens van anderen” (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others). This kind of behavior reminds me of Genesis 4 (Cain and Abel), and that Dutch saying again comes to mind.
When I was small I was always taught “Do what I say, don’t do what I do”. Later we hear that children become what they see and not what you tell them. If this is so, then why should the Dutch think that we are the ones who are not following the rules? I know that I will never condone wrongdoing, but is this not confusing?
Russell A. Simmons
Dear government,
You are our (elected) boss.
You told us recently – if the newspapers are right – that the government has no money left in stock at the end of October 2020.
Without any additional communication from you, this keeps us wondering how we (civil servants) have to pay our bills starting from the end of October 2020,
I feel people around me being very unsure because of this issue. Is our major employer being able to pay its dues? It gives a lot of tensions!
This is in fact the same question that many other employees have (not being civil servants); how long may they expect to be paid by their employer?
The communication plan about this important matter by the government seems to be simple; there is none!
Day by day, people try to reach me and ask me about my expectations of government actions, and I have to be honest; even as direct advisor to the Minister I have no clue at all about future decisions and their consequences for the people of St. Maarten!
Mind you, how I am feeling! I try to comfort those in problems who are asking me for clarity (which I unfortunately cannot give because as a civil servant I am not aware of any direction the government is intended to go). I even give them a ride privately leaving from the government parking space in front of the government building to SXM hospital, and some private money for those convincing me not being able to pay any medicine needed!
To be fair; from one day to another I feel more and more being working in a third-world country! People surrounding me because they know I am from the government asking me what the future looks like, because they hear really nothing from those who should protect them. What is plan A, B or C as promised by our Prime Minister?
We have unfortunately seen nothing up till now as yet!
Government, if it is not for me, please communicate your strategy to the people of SXM.
In what way may the people of SXM rely on you, protecting their interests as best as you can?
What is your strategy? It is fully unclear to me and to a lot of people from SXM.
Please let us know!
Aren't we the people of SXM who gave you a mandate to govern and protect us!
This is just a reflection of sentiments by the people of SXM.
I should say; it is your task to comfort us with your strategy and your capability to reach the goals of that strategy. It has been quite for a lot of weeks!
Name withheld at author’s request
Dear Mr. Patterson,
I hope that I have misunderstood you and that you are confusing marital infidelity with consensual non-monogamy.
In your letter, you appear to plead that infidelity in marriage is acceptable, natural behavior and should be forgiven out of hand. I find this concept to be totally repugnant. Whether infidelity in marriage is purely to do with undisclosed sexual adventures or something as mundane as who drank the last soda in the refrigerator, it should be viewed as unacceptable.
Infidelity is basically dishonesty or lying about one’s actions. This type of behavior shouldn’t be tolerated in society or business and certainly not in marriage, where you have sworn to be one with your partner. When there are lapses in honesty, whatever the cause, they should be addressed, the erring party should make amends and ensure that they do not make the same mistake again.
If dishonesty becomes a habit, then this could amount to abusive behavior and the marriage may well be doomed as there was clearly misrepresentation in the early stages of the relationship.
If, on the other hand, you are referring to consensual non-monogamy, that is a different matter altogether. When there is open dialogue and both partners agree that other relationships outside of their marriage are desired – or even only acceptable – then of course there is no problem. This type of relationship should ideally be discussed long before vows are taken.
Certainly, relationships can change over the years and if both partners agree to experimenting with different lifestyles later in their marriage, then there should be no problem with this either.
Remember, if it is agreed that the man have a “byside” then it should be perfectly acceptable for the woman to enjoy her own lover. The type and depth of external relationships should be agreed between the primary partners and, needless to say, honesty and openness should extend to secondary partners too.
If you have agreed to a traditional monogamous relationship, then whatever your urges or nature might be, stick to your vows or do the honorable thing and leave the relationship.
To sum up, any non-monogamous relationship must be based on complete honesty and equality between partners. A non-monogamous relationship should never be confused with infidelity, cheating, straying or any form of sneaking behind one’s partner’s back.
Stuart Knaggs
Dear Editor,
“I’ve always loved you and when you love someone you love the whole person just as he or she is and not as you would like them to be,” Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina.
Jesus Christ, whose sermon on the mount Tolstoy tried his entire life to emulate morally and spiritually but never succeeded, resulted in Tolstoy being diagnosed with “moral exhaustion” in his final days. Christ, in reference to an adulterous woman who was brought before him, said to his followers, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Convicted by their own conscience and personal guilt they all went their separate ways.
The capacity to forgive and the ability to understand our own foibles and human nature is at the core of being able to love others unconditionally. The failures and weaknesses of others are, really, a reflection of who we are collectively as a species. If two individuals truly and sincerely love each other, should an act of infidelity or several acts for that matter become a criterion for ending their contractual agreement of “’tll death do us part”?
Love is an all-encompassing force and does not require the presence or absence of certain conditions for its expression and transmission. The law of loving others cannot be discovered by reason because it is unreasonable.
The disapprobation of infidelity and its accompanying distastes are a social construct and convention conceptualized with a suspicious air of power and control. It contradicts our biological nature and no amount of intellectualizing, moralizing or theologizing can prove or disprove whether promiscuous polygamy rather than faithful monogamy is the norm of human sexual behavior.
Public reproach and scorn for infidelity is a cultural phenomenon whose prevalence is perpetuated and sustained in societies and cultures that use theology as a basis of ethics. Its disapproval and opposition to its practice inhibits the fulfillment of harmless impulsive desires. Irrational resistance to infidelity removes human agency from those who are unable to be themselves, those who lack the courage to be perfect in their own imperfections, the courage that is reminiscent of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s dignified fictional character Hester Prynne proudly displaying the letter A around her neck marking her as an adulteress, a grim and stark reminder of 18th century puritanism and Victorian sexual attitudes.
Marriage has not and will not succeed in curing or taming our powerful instinctual desires and religious, ethical or moral training will never prove enough to help us eject aspects of ourselves we were conditioned to turn on and dislike. As Nietzsche said, affirm life, welcome life in all its complexities and forms of human representation. It is utterly absurd and preposterous to reject what until now is considered a normal form of human behavior. How can we say with any degree of certainty that we weren’t biologically determined to be sexually debauched creatures and therefore lack inherent self-control to render our instinctual desires subservient to a legal monogamous marriage contract?
Infidelity in marriages doesn’t necessarily have to have as its primary motivation an unfulfilled or curious sexual appetite as there could be other underlying needs that enable sexual encounters outside of marriage. Sex could very well be the secondary effect of some other primary cause. It is quite understandable that in a society where sex is overrated and often placed on a pedestal, it can have the negative effect of overshadowing the principal causes of infidelity in marriages. Our biological nature and social needs are so complex and vast that the totality of our desires and wants has hitherto remain largely unknown to us. So, as we continue to evolve, we will inevitably be attracted and drawn to others for reasons we cannot explain, or which simply defy logic.
Marriages that enjoy the above often have a higher threshold of tolerance for unwanted extramarital experiences, which then helps to create space for forgiveness, growth and maturity. Zero tolerance, public condemnation and religious renunciation for infidelity can negatively influence the blossoming of healthy marital relationships, effectively causing marriages to remain stuck without the possibility for reconciliation. And besides, when does one become guilty of infidelity? Does it occur at the level of thought? Or does it become a reality when there is bodily entanglement. What’s the ultimate human value, is it the immaterial mind or soul or rather our material embodiment (body)?
Orlando Patterson
