Dear Editor,
Reason we have major fiscal issues, and you do not hear parties’ ideology on economy. Why this is important this will prove that most political parties have the same ideology and it really does not make sense to have all these parties when their ideology is the same. The problem is the character of people in the parties. It is a fact that most political parties in St. Maarten are socialist; I am a capitalist.
I want to hear ideas on how they intend to grow the economy. I believe in small government, St. Maarten government with its 15-member Parliament which is too large is a waste of time with little if any legislation being put into effect. I want to know or hear their ideology on how they plan to grow the economy. As a capitalist, I believe in reducing regulations and red tape, so entrepreneurs can open businesses much faster. We must reduce the cost of opening and doing business.
Reducing income tax in St. Maarten is the best way to create wealth. What people do not understand is that the smaller the burden people are to government the more funds government will have in their coffers. The more money that remains in the consumer’s hand the easier he or she can qualify for a home or a new business, to buy a new car and to land which is an asset.
As a capitalist I see issues totally different than most of St. Maarten’s political parties. While you must collect taxes for government to function, this does not make the population rich. The strategy should be to leave more money the hand of the consumers, then they can save and can spend more, which is what really will boost the economy.
Politics is all about ideology. When you hear a person’s ideology on the different issues it makes it easier to fish out the jokers from people who can get things done. A question to St. Maarten’s political parties: Do you people know how an economy should function? This is the answer if you do not know, economic growth is driven oftentimes by consumer spending and business investment. If consumers are buying homes, for example, home builders, contractors, and construction workers will experience economic growth.
Businesses also drive the economy when they hire workers, raise wages, and invest in their business. A company that orders new items or invests in new technologies or equipment, creates jobs, spending, which leads to growth in the economy. Because the governments of the past did a terrible job on fiscal policies, and had no ideology how things should be done, taxes were not corrected properly.
This challenge creates a bear economy because no new roads were being built and maintained, the bridges and sidewalks along with island beautification were not being maintained. Infrastructure spending also boosts economic growth. St. Maarten governments of the past never saved or invested money properly from the cash flow in the 70s, 80s, 90s when the island was booming. All these matters are about ideology on economy.
The conclusion is for all parties to know which ideology they believe in, and how they intend to carry out the process. Electorate of St. Maarten, choices have consequences. Choose wisely who you vote for. Selling your vote for $500 can cost the country 500 million in debt for the next 4 years.
The Patriot Miguel Arrindell
Dear Editor,
When you cannot call the police for help, who should you call? A thug on the street, take the law in one’s own hands? I’d love to hear an answer from the Police Chief on that. It’s a very serious question. When one of his rookie cops promotes hate, violence against women, racism, nepotism, taunting others, provoking others , a full-on bully, well I believe the top cop owes the community an explanation. Well at least us minorities.
Allow me to elaborate. I own a house in a gated community, not the bank, I own it. Now, across the road lives a rookie cop. A woman – I believe it’s a female, that’s debatable – this individual rents the house with 5-plus other adults and a soccer team of children, packed into a 3-bedroom house with random thugs coming and going. Drug house, brothel or both?
It has become evident that the actual owners of the house are slum landlords. Only concerned with fast cash to pay their mortgage with no care in the world with respect to the trash and increase in crime they have brought to a “so-called” gated community. At the risk of sounding like a snob, ha! Actually, I don’t care if I do. When you buy into a gated community you are buying into a lifestyle. If I wanted to live amongst cars parked endlessly, loud ghetto music (F you this, F yo P this) , people in my business checking the colour of my panties, running their mouths with false gossip and random thugs passing/hanging out in front of my home, well, I would have bought a shack in a neighbourhood known for this social class of individuals.
I didn’t, I invested where I was assured by the developer (Koozie development) that it would be a quiet, safe neighbourhood. He lied....Not shocking from such a devious man.
Recently, the thugs are running ramped. Parked in cars with black tint, idling, hanging out. I didn’t realize black tint on windows was legal again. I missed the memo, or is that for cops only and their friends/family? The rookie cop has had her boys running through the neighbourhood as apparently someone is after her. Ha, imagine that, she’s bringing crime to a 4-road gated community. Shocking! Trash attracts trash. You are the company you keep.
Thankfully I have a home security system that records all of this as proof. Last night I proceeded to take a photo of a thug’s car that is always in front of my house. The thug [number plate provided to this newspaper – Ed.] came waddling out screaming explicitness. Words that cannot be published. In basic English he advised me he will F me up, he will slash my tires and he is going to teach me how St. Maarten people “take care of people like me.
I can only draw the conclusion that “people like me” means white people, foreigners. He then proceeded to grab me by my shoulders and pushed me down. It’s no secret how St. Maarten people despise foreigners and especially white people. Jealousy makes people violent.
I have all his threats and physical assault on video. Should anything happen to myself, my child, my vehicles, my home, my properties, my business...let’s just say if I find anything out of line, it will be safe to say that this rookie cop and her thugs are cashing in on their threats to me.
So, again, I ask the Chief of Police. Do you only help the black community? White people should stay quiet and accept the abuse. The racism in your force has been obvious for years. Sadly, people are scared to bring it to the media’s attention. Tourists should be warned that they will never receive help from your cops. It’s interesting how you want the white man coming here to spend their money. Hands are open for an income.
To all you sensitive people who are having trouble swallowing this truth pill, well choke on it. I am sick and tired of the hypocrisy, racism, and bigotry, all sprinkled with nepotism. People “like us” are told to shut up. Well make this clear, I will protect my family tooth and nail, I will never sit down and shut up. I have a voice and you will not silence me.
Mary De Francesco
By Alex Rosaria
Last week, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, told the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that many Caribbean islands will not survive the effects of global climate change, even in the unlikely event that countries abide by the two-degree rise in temperature, as outlined in the Paris Agreement. See video.
Earlier Ms. Mottley, during the Understanding Risk Caribbean Conference called for greater harmonization, exchange and learning of resilient planning strategies in the Caribbean. Whilst many Caribbean leaders are following Barbados, in Curaçao our policy makers, civil society, and academic institutions have yet to adequately address the needs of our island regarding this matter.
Not only that. Some politicians here mock the few who tirelessly try to raise awareness regarding climate change by calling them “enemy of the people”. Others want to eliminate the Planning and Zoning Ordinance (EOP) – a nuisance for certain politicians and developers – in favour of total deregulation.
Thankfully Ms. Mottley spoke on behalf of many of us who are represented by representatives who prefer to remain mute and only concentrate on the periodic cycle of elections, unaware that this topic will not go away and could easily – sooner than later –end up turning into a full-blown crisis.
Yes, fighting crime, dealing with depopulation, poverty and the education crisis, are acute and should be dealt with. Remember, however, that many of today’s problems were once remote problems we chose not to deal with.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA).
Dear Editor,
NA party and US Party get a little dig-in and the big question is if they will survive in this coming election to able to govern.
The two biggest parties cannot work together and the real man to get things done is Theo and the public got their eyes on Theo. Sarah and Franky wish the best and saved the island.
Now NA and US get a chance to prove themselves and the world will be monitoring their performance 24/7. Politicians unite.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
No matter how much the opposition tries to convince the population that they had nothing to do with the fall of government, it is clear that their statements are just a diversion of the truth. In every conversation, members of the opposition are adamant that the coalition of eight imploded from within. Liars! Which one of them can honestly say that they did not play a role in destabilizing the government?
From the moment the rug was pulled from underneath them back in 2017, their constant cry was to have a broad-based government, for them to remain in power. Even after last year’s election, this cry was echoed on every radio and television program. The second most requested issue was to measure how compatible parties were, in order for them to work jointly, rather than to rush into a relationship just for the sake of putting a government together.
What have the people witnessed recently? They have observed a consistent nipping at the government from the opposition and a rushed signing of a new majority. Besides, NA was disgusted with ship-jumping then, because it did not benefit them. But it is okay today, because the two traitors of UD fulfilled their wish to form that broad-based government that they so desperately wanted.
And to cover their tracks, they persuaded the defected MPs to recite statements that both of them can’t even read. Picture this: MP Luc Mercelina signed with the new majority on Saturday, and still had the gall to attend a UD meeting the following day. Luc’s erratic behaviour defines him as a rogue. Imagine, he was recruited by the DP leader, but the moment MP Theo Heyliger was out of office, Luc became an errand boy. So, is this the opposition’s view of exploding from within?
Friday’s public meeting in Parliament with VROMI Minister Chris Wever is a clear indication that the sanitary landfill will never get fixed until it is taken completely out of the hands of VROMI. Definitely, games are being played to solve the problem. The minister looked like a wet duck when MP Sarah Wescot-Williams posed her questions pertaining to recent correspondences between the ministry and the World Bank.
How is it that this minister knows very little about the sanitary landfill, when he was the chief in the cabinet of the immediate past VROMI minister? Something is not kosher. And, this drive to bring EnviroGreen into the mix is going to be another headache. MP Christophe Emmanuel has been pushing this project for a while. Why doesn’t he tell the public which discarded MP introduced him to this company?
There is no genuine effort to solve the situation on the dump. The only VROMI Minister who acted in good faith was Miklos Gitterson. He was extremely simple, but he stood firm by refusing to be manipulated. And when he did not please the saboteurs of NA and UD, they forced him to resign.
This is the worst opposition ever! If they had the proper education, they would never bad-talk their ministers and colleagues in such a derogatory manner. Some time ago, MP Christophe Emmanuel mocked the TEATT Minister about taking a gay cruise. So, what is the difference with his party leader? Is it okay with the population to accept a lesbian prime minister who pledged to be an example for the youth?
Mr. Researcher, MP Rolando Brison may come across as brilliant, but he is just an impressionist. Whenever he speaks, he is more interested in how he impresses his listeners rather than being genuine with his deliberations. The chain of controversies that surrounds his professional life is a testament of his true character. If this MP cares so much about the people, why doesn’t he investigate the issue with the credit union that was located on Cannegieter Street?
Since these fearless politicians’ personal interests have overridden the country’s progress, there is one question you the population need to ask: Where does your future fit into their plans?
Joslyn Morton
