Dear Editor,
My dictionary of the English language, which was edited in 1949, defines the word “farce” as a ridiculous parade, b: empty pageantry, c: a mere show, d: a ridiculous sham.
When I google the word “farce” it stated “a comic dramatic work, using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.”
A little while ago I wrote to you that government should take the law prohibiting the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle off the books, because everybody including the police, break this law on St. Maarten 24/7. In the same way I am suggesting that they change the constitution, where it pertains to the swearing-in of members of Parliament. It has become a farce.
On various occasions Oprah has said that many years ago Maya Angelou told her that “when people show you who they are believe them.” Dr. Mercelina, who tended me in the past, is a very good doctor and I would recommend him to anybody, but since he entered politics he has shown me who he is as a politician, so I believe him.
So, is he someone who I can depend on to guarantee a stable government? Not from what he has shown me so far.
A similar case can be made for MP Brownbill. When I read the oath of Members of Parliament it states, “I swear (affirm) my loyalty to the King and the Charter for the Kingdom, that I shall always help to uphold the Constitution of St. Maarten and shall support the welfare of St. Maarten to the best of my ability.”
When I joined the force, we discussed the oath that we were going to take before we were sworn in. During that discussion one of my classmates from Bonaire made the observation that he would not add “to the best of my ability” to an oath because that is providing space for a cop-out. And that has always remained with me.
After 45 years for almost nine years straight I have been seeing here on St. Maarten what my classmate meant come to pass on a regular basis. “To the best of my ability.” Wow. It is a shame. In a country with a 40-hour work week, that not one of those Members of Parliament past or present can boast that they have earned their salary.
At the ceremony the governor usually adds that by taking the oath you unconditionally swear to always dedicate yourself to foster the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten. In taking the oath of office you agree to accept and commit to carry out the serious responsibilities entrusted to you by the people and for the people.
I would challenge everyone who have been in government to prove to we the people that they have truly dedicated themselves to foster the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten. Is lay waiting, governing? Yes, that’s the question, because all I know is that they are laying and waiting for the other one to make a mistake and then jump on it.
No one should even think of mentioning bus-stop huts, because I do not think that is anything to brag about either. It also seems that every project that was brought forward was stagnated because there is a discrepancy of funds or financing. And then almost always after that, there is some investigation with weird names like the Iguana case and the Mongoose case. Right now it’s the Boat and Airplane cases.
There is very little change in the scenarios but our people seem to prefer to take their chances with the prosecutor’s office than simply going out there and doing what they are well (over)paid to do.
Should we not do away with the swearing-in of people in government? Indeed people, that sermon on Sunday last needs serious contemplation.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
This is the last throw of the dice for politicians, who slither into the pores of politics, just to discharge their dirty tricks. For too long, the country has been under siege, held by strategic geniuses of corruption. To hear MP Franklin Meyers express disgust and frustration of the political direction, but fail to identify the culprits, does not do justice to the people nor the country.
His vague statements still entertain the false perceptions, perceived by many. That is how corruption in this country multiplies, because no one is singling out the crooks. Everybody just going along to get along. MP Franklin Meyers, if you have taken a stand, then how could your conscience allow you to mingle with these same politicians, who continue to forsake the ideals of integrity?
To stay in this awkward situation does not reflect a man who appears to have some streak of honesty. A politician who refuses to join his colleagues in destroying the country will not put himself in a position that further compromises his integrity. The most suitable and dignified decision you should have made, was to bow out gracefully, and leave behind an uncommon legacy.
I must give you credit for revealing the strategy that was orchestrated by the opposition and their stooges on air, to overthrow the Council of Ministers one by one and leave the Minister of General Affairs isolated. For months, this plan to force her into a corner was whispered in some corners of the society, but it did not work out as anticipated.
The opposition always feel that they are squeaky clean and superior to the other parties. But as time goes by, their true colours have defined them. When it’s convenient, they try to fool the public that there is cohesion within. But if the people are paying attention, they would realise that the opposition is split into four sections, and will disintegrate further, as the battle for control roars on.
MP Franklin Meyers, you needed to come clean and tell the population why U.S. pre-clearance has dominated the minds of the opposition and some coalition members. The two main reasons for this collective pact are: first, the opposition is not controlled by their respective parties anymore. Second, this greedy politician intends to erect a building on the airport road to housed stranded passengers, whenever the pre-clearance comes into swing.
What is very dangerous is to continue the precedent, where you fully well know who is holding this country hostage; yet, you are not brave enough to tell the constituents the truth – the same people who you will be soliciting their votes next elections. Is this fair to them, knowing there is a strong possibility that the results will not change, because the identical players are still in the game?
MP Franklin Meyers, you too have to be blamed for this calamity, because more often than not, you never came to Parliament to give the coalition a quorum. This behaviour was a playground for the opposition. And when you did show up, you had nothing much to contribute to the economic development of the country. Instead, you rather said nothing or took pleasure in cursing the Dutch.
As a veteran politician and a scholar of quotes, you should have used these political turbulences as teaching moments for those who you claimed have good intentions, but lacked the proper guidance. And, if you don’t have the conviction to expose the politicians who are going to make the road rougher for St. Maarten, then your stance means absolutely nothing.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Many would assume that because it is the hurricane season it is pressed upon us to pray. I say “nothing ’t all go so.” Why? Because one or more prayers for every occasion can be found in the Book of Common Prayer, used in the Anglican church.
During the sermon on Sunday past while pressing upon the congregation that we should pray for our people in government he also said that not all people in government are Christians. They go to church on occasion, but many of them are not Christians.
After the service a member of the church approached me with the question “How the priest could say that? He forget that the sermon does be broadcast every Sunday on the radio?”
My reaction was “Sooo?”
“But it is the government he talking about.”
I stopped that person right there and then, and asked. “Did the priest tell a lie?” I continued to ask that person how often have you not heard said that “there are more wicked people in the church than outside”? What have you done about it?
Those who say so also need praying for. If such things can be said about the church family, why can’t the priest speak the truth? The priest was not targeting the people in government, he was admonishing not to judge them, because they also must be prayed for.
I did not expect that observation, hence my reaction.
As I mentioned before, it goes without saying that during every service we include the people in government in our intercessory prayers I followed that sermon attentively and, just like I suggested a few weeks ago that we should all pray daily for protection against natural disasters, I believe that we should all get in the habit of daily praying for each other. No matter the relationship.
I strongly believe that if all of us, no matter how old or how young, would get in the habit of praying for each other, our behavior (demeanor) will change towards each other. If anyone out there is assuming that those conscionable articles will stop coming, I believe this is one.
Try praying for each other, you might like it.
Russell A. SIMMONS
Dear Editor,
Nine governments in nine years, each one with basically the same people involved, just playing musical chairs election after election, this is absolutely absurd and it must stop if we are serious about re-building this island!
For the people of St. Maarten to decide on who they wish to lead, we must first be clear as to which direction WE really want to go, and not which direction the politicians tell us to go!
The best means for the people to express their choice, is to have a referendum, and if there are new elections called, then now is the time for that referendum! Yet, it is Parliament which must call for the referendum, or it is for the Kingdom Partners to insist the SXM Parliament do so! However it is done, it needs to be done in the next election!
Let the People of St. Maarten choose their own future;
Option 1 – Status Quo (stay the same)
Option 2 – Status Independence
Option 3 – Status re-integration into the Netherlands
Jay B. Haviser
The Orange Movement
Dear Editor,
First of all, Independence is a fundamental right for a country and its people under colonial rule. Many countries have suffered in order to achieved it. Now it is free, so why not take it. Right now in the United Kingdom the people are challenging the “Bill of Rights” of the Magna Charta handed down in the Year 1215 (Art.39) – the first 14 Amendments of the British constitution. The people are reminding parliament that they are their boss, and the people are the law, and there is no law if the people don’t want it.
In St. Maarten 60 per cent of the people voted in 10/10/10 to go under the Netherlands because fearing that they will lose their Dutch passport that gave them easy access of traveling to the United States of America. Nowadays, there are many restrictions traveling to that country. 10/10/10 was a huge mistake, it confused the population with the preposition “under” the Dutch, rather than a right, “yes” or “no”, “leave” or “stay”, or “in” or “out”. It is very hard to imagine how a group of people voted for a passport rather than for self-determination. There is only one solution, a call for a new referendum, and let the people decide.
Independence is a good thing for any country, and the people to have full self-control and responsibility over their natural resources. It is not a dream. It is a reality. Independence is also a combination of social, economic and political challenges. It means progress, and getting away from colonists who plundered the country for years. Independence is not for the idealist, but for the realist who is self-conscious of regional and family ties – with also the determination for self-control of their country.
The idea of independence takes us back to the old days of biblical times: Luke (15:11-32) – the prodigal son who asked his father for his portion to leave home. His father gave him his share of the wealth, and he went far away, and he lavished the money. Then famine came, and he had nothing saved. He ran back to his father, who welcome him back with open arms. His father was very happy because his son took the initiative to leave home, and it was a learning experience for him, and for the father to prepare his other son to leave home. In this passage it teaches the basic function of economics, that is, learn to put money in reserve for the future.
The United Nations Charter X1, X11, and X111 for Decolonization for people under colonial rule. The UN are encouraging the dependent people to set their goals and standard to achieve their independence.
The Monroe Doctrine established in 1823 also warned Europe against interfering in the internal affairs of American and Caribbean countries, especially where self-determination is concerned. America is also the protector of these islands regardless who claimed ownership of them.
The commonwealth also laid out certain conditions for countries achieving independence in 1958-60 as follows: 1. There should be a defense force. 2. There should be a diplomatic organization. 3. There should be a Customs union. 4. There is a complete freedom of movement of people within the union. 5. There should be a strong control administration with enough money to run the country smoothly.
The Black Empire – Haiti was one of the richest countries in the Western Hemisphere –exporting sugar to different parts of the world. In 1791 there was a rebellion of the slaves on the plantation against their owners. The slaves took control of the country. Haiti became independent in 1803.
The West Indies Federation Act was passed in 1956, and officially came to existence on August 16, 1960, with its headquarters in Trinidad. Unfortunately, the federation only lasted for one year.
The West Indies Federation gave rise to Caribbean unity, and for the territories to become independent. Jamaica was the first country in the Caribbean to break away from the union and became independent in 1962. Jamaica had its problems: In 1961 the Anti-Federation Political Party led by Alexander Bustamante, and representing the poor constituencies on the island, was told that the people from the smaller islands will come to Jamaica and take away their jobs. Bustamante and the Norman Manley government put forward a referendum to the people with a simple “in” or “out” of the federation, and 60 per cent of the people voted out, and Jamaica became independent in 1962.
Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago followed and became independent also in 1962. Four years later British Guyana in 1966. Dominica in 1978, and Antigua and Barbuda in 1981. St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 1979. St. Kitts and Nevis became independent in 1983. These Caribbean countries took ownership over their nations and also become full members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market founded in 1973.
Finally, self-determination is vitally important for countries and territories under colonial rule. It will take a lot of money to develop major industries and maintain social services. In my opinion the legal system of this country should change from the Coding system and be replaced with the statutes and case laws system. The independence process should start now. It should be debated in schools, the workplaces and the communities.
Joseph Harvey
