Dear Editor,
Opportunists have no regard for society and so they will sell out the country for any amount of money! Likewise, when hypocrisy has no boundary, fallacy becomes their fantasy! Look how the political sphere has become one big wrestling ring, where politicians are fighting to maintain their domain, in order to acquire more power.
It’s a disgrace to see even those who were viewed as having some semblance of integrity are now confusing the community with uninterrupted lies. They paint a picture to capture your attention and then groan about the instability of government. This group consistently blame others while they are the originators of this constant insecurity.
Let's use logic and common sense to substantiate the origin of this instability – an impression that is being mis-packaged and sold to this community. If UP and DP were the first to govern this country in 10-10-10, why would they break up their own government halfway through the governing process, just to go in opposition? Isn’t it logical that their opponent would cause this interference?
And haven’t we seen how this interruption has damaged the reputation of individuals and the image of St. Maarten? The sequence of events before the actual fall clearly identifies the instigators of this instability, and how they have managed to navigate their way to manipulate the system temporarily. Let’s be logical again. Why would an elected official distance himself immediately from his party that has just won 7 seats?
Similarly, why would another member, who has gained so many votes, break ties one year later, if he so believed in the “stability” of this country? What was his intention then? Later it was revealed from the “horse’s mouth,” that he cannot do anything from the opposition benches. Then logic would also dictate that the final interruption must come from within the UP party. So they targeted the rookie and the youngest in the bunch.
Inexperienced and near-sighted, he relinquished his support from the UP party and joined the two renegades from NA. It wasn’t long after, they toppled the government so NA could take up its position in the executive branch. So, who are the real architects of this instability that is crippling the country? When the second opportunist tasted a slice of power, what did he do? He formed his own party with several candidates, who are now vying to be a part of the next government.
Aren't these the same persons who are demanding stability in government today, when they have contributed to the instability and detriment of this country? As you can see, karma is collecting her dues slowly, but surely!
Is this spectacle going to stop? No! Right now, the party that is poised to be the game-changer for this election claimed to have done due diligence before candidates were accepted. Instability in government and fighting against corruption are high on the agenda. Really? Then why this candidate would be allowed on that list, when he has refused to settle an electricity bill of over NAf. 17,000, just because the meter was in his landlady’s name at the time?
When she confronted him on the matter, he wanted to fight her and she ended up footing the bill all by herself. Isn’t this a form of corruption, the very element that this candidate and his party are trying to eradicate? Why this landlady didn’t make the issue known after this candidate postulated himself? Is she condoning this type of behaviour and allowing these opportunists to flourish?
What about another candidate of the same party who prides herself as a professional in dealing with children who have learning challenges? Can she honestly declare herself as an individual who has the welfare of children at heart?
The late Maya Angelou once said, “When people show you who they are, believe them.” It’s time to wake up people! Don’t be fooled by these Siamese twins, “opportunists” and “hypocrites,” because they disguise their true character by playing on your emotions and level of intellect. You can never sow tomato and expect to reap sweet potato!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Please go out to vote in great numbers. Give UD party a full majority.
This is the best to go all hands on deck for no coalition government.
Then oppositions have to perform at an international level to the max.
Dutch St Maarten oppositions have never performed internationally in the past (only DP party and UP party have performed the best in opposition so far.
I quote: The entire world will be shocked if St. Maarten is having another coalition government again:
Theo, you said your government will continue visiting the districts and having a closer relationship with the district councils and its people as you did in the past.
I think it is wise the entire Dutch Caribbean has closer relationship with Caricom nations. By doing so the Dutch will see more stable government in the Dutch Caribbean region.
The Dutch, the Caribbean, St. Maarten people and its politicians, and the rest of the world are waiting for election results.
Wow wow wow wow this is excitement.
February/26/2018 election all candidates who for sure go sure.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
We are now just days away from another snap Parliamentary election and while for some it is crucial others view it as just another campaign of empty clichés and platitudes. On every street corner we continue to hear the refrain, “What’s the point? Voting makes no difference.”
The inherent messiness, incivility and dishonesty often attached to election season does not help.
At times, we are tempted to despair, wondering if the politicians and the programs offered are even worth engaging. Perhaps it’s better to simply sit out an election, some have concluded.
Some people, based on past experiences, have a right to be dubious and apathetic but every eligible person should vote and not be hopelessly indifferent to the value of our democracy.
We should vote out of love for neighbor. While we face the temptation to withdraw into ourselves and disengage from the world around us we must be mindful that we are called to live out our mission in our communities and in our country.
Jesus told us that we should love our neighbor as ourselves – how can we love our neighbor, how can we seek the welfare of our communities, if we abdicate the opportunity to choose the people who lead us? How can we love our neighbor if we ignore the policies and structures that affect him?
Voting is a way of telling our neighbors that we too are committed to a vision of the better life and promote the common good in our country. This simple yet sacred exercise can lead to cultivating a just and merciful society.
Secondly, we should vote because God has blessed us with this ability for which we will be held accountable. We can all agree that the system is flawed and requires reform post-haste. However, in Romans 13, Paul reminds us that all civil authority is granted by God (Rom. 13:1-7).
This power to vote – is a gift from God. Not only will government be held accountable for the way they rule – those who vote are also held accountable for the choices they make or didn’t make come election time.
In some ways this then helps us not to be so invested in a candidate or party that we lose heart. We therefore vote not because of their promises of pie in the sky but to fulfill our God-given requirement.
Thirdly, we should vote to give voice to the vulnerable. On some issues, a vote for or against a particular candidate can be a vote for or against human dignity. It is a way for us to speak out for the powerless on issues that elevate their worth and dignity in our society.
It was Jesus who commanded us to stand in the gap for the widows and orphans; that is, the marginalized of our society. We do so when we vote for policies, programs and politicians who hear their cry and seek to institute corrective measures.
We should never renounce or underestimate our power to influence government. Every vote counts. We must see our efforts from a communal perspective, individually it might seem insignificant yet combined our vote can have a staggering impact in this country we call home.
“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – PLATO
Every voter should exercise their right to cast a vote in this election. Our forefathers fought valiantly, some even died to establish this right to be heard, to have a say in social, political and economic matters and to leave the best government for future generations.
Go out and vote.
St. Maarten/St. Martin Christian Council
Dear Editor:
I understand it’s in the heart of an election and some political parties would try to put others into a bad light for their own political gain. When I saw a letter from Fe Hernandez-Liburd of trying to destroy our local companies I wasn't surprised by the content of the letter trying to discredit two former Ministers.
The matter was discussed with Hernandez on several occasions that Air Lekkerbek is located in the area needed for a future round-about (information from the Department of New Works). At first a parcel of government land was offered to her a little bit further from the location of Air Lekkerbek according to her request.
I wanted to establish a commercial center (Economic Service Center) close to the location of Air Lekkerbek, with one entity to manage it. It was proposed to Hernandez that Air Lekkerbek would have a space within this building instead of a separate location.
Hernandez agreed to that and her company, Presella Enterprises N.V., was included in the advice for the commercial center which was to be managed by the Chamber.
If it is one Minister for promoting local entrepreneurship, it is Maurice Lake. Tell me of one other Minister who has created and helped other local businesses than myself during my tenure?
I don't want to get into political games. I just want to focus on my main objective for this election which is building back St. Maarten and putting our people back on their feet by creating jobs, housing for our people and seniors.
Maurice Lake
Dear Mrs De Jongh,
In below job advertisements published this week in the Amigoe newspaper, I noted that you have vacancies for male employees only.
-Senior Staff (SOAB St. Maarten) Male | Amigoe 20180121
-Staff (SOAB St. Maarten) Male | Amigoe 20180121
I was of the opinion that it was illegal to discriminate based on sex, colour or age. And I would expect that a respected newspaper such as Amigoe would not publish such discriminating ads.
Please explain your view on this, as SOAB is a government agency that I expect to comply fully with the law and is actually doing audits of other governmental organizations to report if they comply with applicable law.
Best regards,
Margret Smeets
Curaçao
