Dear Editor,

  There is a saying in Dutch “Waar er gehakt wordt vallen spaanders” (You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs).

  I do not know whether I have ever met the young lady, but I have the feeling that Minister Gordon-Carty is someone who has lived seeing that not much or no effort was put into putting St. Maarteners first in St. Maarten. Now that the Minister is in a position to right the ship, why not cooperate with her.

  Where is it written that St. Maarten has to take care of the world? Why did we have to reach a consensus for liquidity support, because we have so much?

  There’s another thing my father taught me. He said: “For you to be able to take care of other people you yourself have to be good.” So what about putting politics aside and putting heads together and form a consensus for the Minister to achieve the gold for her people, the same people that put their votes together to get you MPs [Members of Parliament – Ed.] where you are. You have to be constantly aware there is no nine and six or 10 and five, there are 15 trying to do what is best for St. Maarten.

  By the way, if nothing is done to be able to compile statistics, how can you have statistics? Is this the way one would like to be independent when one does not even know how to go about knowing one’s worth?  More than eight years to find out whether your crime rate is increasing or decreasing. Who is sticking it to whom? At least Minister Gordon-Carty is showing that she has a sense of direction, what are the rest doing? And who are they doing it for?

  I do not always have to be right or perfect for others  to be inspired by what I do, as long as they feel good and are motivated by the way I handle the little that I have.

  This did not come from me, but someone asked me if there is much difference between euthanasia and starving to death. I did not and still do not know where they were coming from, I am  eagerly awaiting an acceptable explanation.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  There is an urgent need for a motorcycle school as of yesterday. Too many of our youngsters are losing their lives, which some of them have children left behind.

  For many years we have had a driving school, now it is time that we create a motorcycle school. I am asking the experts to please create a motorcycle school for these youngsters as soon as possible.

Mavis Arrindell 

Dear Editor,

  Whenever I hear people of St. Maarten heritage say they are local I see weakness and people that have no sense of identity.

  I notice all if not most people in our government cannot say they are from St. Maarten or a St. Maartener. That shows they have an inferiority complex.

  Patriotism is very important. The feeling must especially be born in the youth of the country so they act as responsible citizens.

  Youth is the future of the nation and for the bright future of the country, it is important for them to protect and preserve the nation and act in its best interest to make it outshine.

  Nationalism is an ideology and movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people) especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland. It also encourages pride in national achievements and is closely linked to patriotism.

  Local is any person living in St. Maarten a long time but that person is not a St. Maartener.

  The manner individuals carry or portray themselves is how people define you. If you say you are a local then you accept yourself as a third-class citizen.

  Last week I read in the paper a member of the government say the businesses must hire more locals.

  I agree 100 percent with the businesses that what they are doing is hiring locals. If our government is too stupid or afraid to make certain that they hire St. Maarteners then they have the free will to do as they please. The weakness of leaders in government invites outsiders or foreign interference to oppress you in your own country because you cannot define who you are and who should have first preference.

  As long as every St. Maartener and government leaders that are in the executive branch or legislative branch are too stupid and weak to define who they are, businesses have all right to take advantage of you.

  The conclusion, people of St. Maarten heritage, are you a local or a St. Maartener?

  Choices have consequences, choose wisely and choose now. I am of St. Maarten heritage, not local. (I from here.)

The patriot Miguel Arrindell

Dear Editor,

  “My metaphysics is not as thick as yours,” I answered after being asked by a man of the cloth if I knew Jesus Christ was the son of God. The sermon by this clergyman with an audience of one lasted for about 30 minutes, during which he espoused the significance and superiority of Christ, advocating for obedience to his teachings and ultimately to acknowledge that he was the son of God.