Dear Editor,
It is essential and critical that St. Maarten creates her own constitution, one that reflects our norms and culture; in other words, our way of life. Starting from the days when it was clear that legislation was not only instituted to establish order but to also set up a dictatorship controlled by the colonial powers.
In our experience and present reality, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Dutch government through the Kingdom Council of Ministers are trampling on our democratic rights or rights of self-determination. They are operating by their laws totally in contravention of the United Nations Charter to which they are signatory.
Why do I say we need to change many laws? It has been established by law that on January 9, 2020, elections will be held for the 5th time. This means 9 governments and 5 elections in 10 years.
I have argued for years that not because a law is legal means that it is moral. Slavery was legal, as a matter of fact it still exists today. Especially when it is formulated in such a manner that it allows for one country to dominate another.
There are articles in the constitution of St. Maarten (copied and pasted from the Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) that must be changed. There are two in my opinion that are responsible for the upcoming elections: article 33 specifically point #2 which states: If a minister no longer enjoys the confidence of the Parliament, he shall surrender his office. And article 59 point #1 The Parliament may be dissolved by national ordinance.
This is my proposal on how article 33.2 should read: If a minister no longer enjoys the confidence of Parliament he should immediately vacate his position. The word surrender gives him a choice, with which I totally disagree. If his performance according to the majority of parliament is not in accordance with their governing program as they have determined as being in the best interest of the people is not being executed, he/she has to leave immediately.
As it relates to Article 59, point #1 should read: The parliament may be dissolved by national ordinance, only if such has been determined in a referendum. It escapes my understanding that an appointed body can ask for a dissolution of the body who appointed them. This is not balance, it is a stalemate and completely against the electorate. The Executive branch did not run for office the people did not choose them.
It should be the people who decide through a referendum whether an election should be held or not. That is democracy. As it is now it is forced upon them whether they like it or not. Reasons why there are those who said they will not vote.
I urge you to exercise your democratic right and vote. With regard to the referendum, it should be a simple question; Are you in favor of the new majority in parliament yes or no?
Another serious problem I have is that a minister can refuse to execute legislation passed in parliament. In my opinion they are sitting on the chair of the constitutional court. In addition to this they can make national decrees and execute them without input from parliament. The few deciding for the masses.
Finally let me add another article that again to me gives the Ministers too much power. Article 62 of the constitution: Every member of parliament is entitled to ask questions of the ministers. The ministers shall respond (and here is where I continue to be deeply concerned) to these questions within a reasonable period of time, insofar as answering the questions cannot be regarded as being contrary to the interest of the country or of the kingdom.
What is a reasonable period? Some ministers have never returned to give answers. Meetings have been adjourned and never reconvened. A definite time frame should be given as to when Ministers have to respond to Parliament. Many laws have to be changed and, I repeat, St. Maarten needs her own constitution.
George Pantophlet
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,
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,
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).
