Dear Editor,
I was asked by several people if I was joining a political party, because they noticed that I am constantly advocating for all the people in government to leave. I do not know if I wrote it like that but yes because in my opinion this cannot get worse than it is now. It won't do us any harm to put fresh people in government who with the help of the advisory council would be able to give us at least four years of stable government in order to be able to get us back on the path of at the least re-establishing the name of Sint Maarten.
On the 5th of January 1965, we got our first official lessons at the Police Academy in Curaçao. The first question that was posed to the class was the initiation to actual police work. It was "What is the answer that a policeman is never allowed to give?”
We were eighteen in that class and everyone who was singled out to answer, answered “I don't know,” because they did not know the answer to the question. With a grin on his face the instructor said, “Here I am before a class of eighteen men who are supposed to serve and protect the country. I asked them a question, which they all unknowingly answered correctly while shrugging their shoulders as if in despair.”
Fifty-two years later I am still in the habit of avoiding that answer. Instead I still try to direct people to where they can be helped.
Because of the upcoming elections I am constantly wracking my brains these days, trying to come up with something that these governments would propagate that they have done to improve the quality of life for the people of Sint Maarten. The only thing I can come up with is that plastic bag story. I am also not sure whether it was to ban or increase the plastic bags because since that story started there are more plastic bags flying and floating around than before.
I am trying to find something tangible that I would think those in government could come up with to "fool off" the people with, this time around.
So, are not these reasons enough to want to get rid of those who are only collecting and making deals with our money and at least try giving it to another set of people? I am sure that a new set will not be that cunning as to start with the intention of toppling the government, whether in the midst of turmoil or not. But I am cautious because we have had a strange land deal and a flag on which we spend a “ton-load” of money of which we do not know whether it is going to fly or wrap itself around the pole.
What makes things more confusing as to whom to choose is when people send letters to the editor suggesting that the police should have more say in labour disputes when it comes to payments. I would like to know from Cuthbert Banis how the police should go about obliging construction companies to pay their employees?
Very possibly an emotional influenced suggestion, but unless it started this week police make peace, not judge on policies. Yes, they can refer parties to their lawyers, to the labour department, or even the Prosecutor’s office, but the police do not pass judgement. All of this is because we do not have a proactive or controlling government. It is laissez-faire as usual.
These are reasons why those people in government continue to remain in there, no matter how often they shuffle the deck and no matter which party or parties are in government. Yes, ignorance causes insecurity. And when one is insecure one becomes complacent or docile and one does not rock the boat, so the boat continues its smooth sailing because we, the coast guard, do not know whether they are fishing in illegal waters or not.
By the way, I agree with Steven Johnson reacting to the “giving them the benefit of the doubt” from the Editor and I also took your side concerning the remarks of the Minister of Finance. We put them there to do a job and they have had time and enough to do it right. They have only done it right for themselves (check how many businesses they are involved in managed by other people) so, yes, out with them.
“Be still and know that I am God” crossed my mind twice lately and that to me is the cause of the behavior of the throwing down of government in these real trying times, and that quarrel between the Fire Department and Firefly BV (fire fighting fire with fire). I know of umpteen fires started with fireworks, so I never rule out the possibility of fires being started by fireworks. Hence the name.
Who can guarantee that everyone is going to follow the instructions on how to go about lighting fireworks? I am grateful to those in the Fire Department who put their foot down and insisted on putting security of the people before personal interest. So yes, there is reason enough for us to be still for a while and know who is God. It works for me.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  I am not a betting man, but what are the odds that the Governor will be able to swear in the Interim Cabinet backed by the new majority of 8 in Parliament after Friday, January 5, 2018?

Michael J. Ferrier

Dear Editor,

  I tend to spend the last day of the year reflecting on the events of the past 364 days, wondering if I have upgraded myself in any way, be it spiritually or materially, though the latter is not very important to me. Property does not last forever, and wealth may dwindle to less than nothing. I also remind myself that I am now 364 days older than I was a year ago. We are all 365 plus days closer to whatever God has in store for us, be it good or bad. I did not spend too much time pondering on the horrendous destruction Hurricane Irma left behind. Her name is now firmly embedded in our minds; we will be talking about her every September for decades to come.

  Some anxious year-end questions never fail to pop up. I hate to start out the New Year with negative thoughts, but I am very concerned about our island's political future. What will the outcome of the upcoming elections be? Will the status quo – the persistent instability, political greed and corruption – go on forever? Bear in mind that it is no longer only the Dutch who claim our government is corrupt; two or three of our local politicians – those who have mustered up a good bit of courage – have publicly stated during a parliamentary meeting that there is corruption in parliament. Too bad they did not speak up sooner, but better late than never.

  Will the same people keep returning over and over? If the same minds keep returning, how will there ever be a change? I am afraid that if the same faces keep coming back, people are going to get frustrated with our local politics to the point where they will stop voting. Several people I know have already reached that point. However, not voting will only serve to perpetuate the existing state of affairs. Voters are constantly being deceived by the eloquence of some politicians, ignoring the fact that although these politicians have been there for decades, they have failed to accomplish anything significant for the people. It's the skill of their persuasive tongues that sustains them, not their accomplishments.

  Will the not-so-smart people among us continue to sell their votes? An acquaintance of mine was in a hardware store a couple of days after Hurricane Irma and couldn't help but overhear a phone conversation between a lady and a certain high-ranking politician. The conversation went something like this: "My roof is gone, what can you do for me? (She was unaware that her phone's speaker was on, and that several people standing in line at the cashier could easily follow the conversation.) The reply came loud and clear, "Don't worry, I will send a contractor there to fix it." My acquaintance looked around and saw several people looking at each other and smiling.

  This politician – who has been in government for ages – knows that by fixing this lady's roof he is buying her and her family's votes for many elections to come. Any politician, I do not care how long he or she has been in government – who offers to buy your vote by whatever means – is untrustworthy.

  They have been talking about electoral reform in order to put an end to vote-buying and ship-jumping for a long time, but have never carried it through, because it is clearly not in their favour.

  Do we not yet realize that it is not just our wellbeing that is at stake, but also the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren? We owe it to them to sieve our non-functioning government and replace it with one that will honestly have the interests of our people (not their own) at heart. Replace the non-productive ones and re-elect those who are earnestly trying. By now, you should be able to distinguish them.

  The Bible states: With men who have understanding and knowledge, stability will last. We have suffered under unstable governments from the outset of becoming a country; it is therefore safe to assume that we have always lacked people with understanding and knowledge in our government. The few of them who have understanding and knowledge have always been a small minority, and therefore ineffective.

  Let us hope and pray that fewer voters will sell their votes this time around – even though they need the money now more than ever. I hope every voter will seriously consider in whose hands he or she wants to entrust the future wellbeing of his/her children. Moreover, let us all pray that God will raise up God-fearing men who have wisdom and understanding, are incorruptible and competent to govern this beloved island of ours.

  On a pleasant note, a young niece of mine was feeling “depressed” on New Year's Eve, because there were no fireworks lighting up the night sky. However, looking heavenward, she said, "God sent me my first smile for 2018." She posted a beautiful picture of a full moon over St. Maarten.

  God blessed us with a full moon on the very first night of the New Year! I believe that in spite of all the misgivings we have, He is telling us, "Fear not, St. Maarten, everything is going to be alright." May He spare us from Irma's twin sister and another unstable government in 2018 and many more years beyond. Praise His Name, people!

Clive Hodge 

Dear Editor,

  Most people like to sound professional about let’s compromise and be tolerant.

  But do we really ever assess if compromise and tolerance is of good or evil? The nature of man is that he will eventually die.

  In reality man has a major disadvantage: he cannot save himself or in other words it is a matter of time before he destroys himself.

  Compromise is when two sides give up some demands to meet somewhere in the middle. Tolerance is the capacity to endure pain or hardship.

  In our world presently humans are compromising on values and tolerating evil hoping it will make mankind better. Let’s be honest and real, do you think or believe if you compromise with evil or tolerate evil that somehow it will stop being evil? Would you tolerate pedophilia with the hope if we just allow it that it might just stop? Would you tolerate drug addiction believing that in time that habit will stop? Can anyone show in history where mankind has ever changed for the better by using compromise and tolerance when it comes to values?

  The world is a ticking time bomb, the so-called smart people believe if we legalize drugs and tax it our community will become a better place. Should we legalize pedophilia or bestiality? Bestiality is sex between a human and an animal. When human or man cannot fulfill his or her moral obligation we tend to take the easy path which is compromise and tolerate knowing that the end result is death. Should we legalize rape and murder, then tax it, do you think it will cease?

  One thing is becoming clearer in this world, that is the fight for Good and Evil is now at hand. Which side do you choose? The so-called smart people believe in a grey area, but the Master, God Almighty, says there is only good and evil.

  Because man’s nature is destructive he will oftentimes compromise and tolerate evil. And when the end result brings death his excuse is to say how and why God allows that. Romans 1:22 (KJV) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

  Choices truly have consequences. The conclusion is, are you willing to compromise and tolerate when it comes to values?

  Choose wisely.

The Patriot Miguel Arrindell