Dear Editor,
The electorate of St. Maarten is more confused than ever as we are now moving in to elections.
Knowledge is power, my task is to give the people much information so they can make the best possible decision on election day.
The truth is election for some is of a different purpose than for others. For example, election for a true Christian is of a different purpose than a person who only needs or wants a job or for a person who has business interest or to make money. So a politician’s job is to be all things to all people which is not possible. And this is where political ideology is of great importance.
Presently on the issue of finance most people are in need of a job and want more money in the pockets. This is issue number 1 for all or most people. From a Christian point of view issue number 1 is important, but for Christians it is just as important on how you go about it. They will ask should we promote prostitution and more gambling because that is the fastest way to make money?
For the people that believe in protecting the people of St. Maarten heritage issue number 1 is very important but their prime concern is to create or give jobs to people of St. Maarten heritage first and to have strong border control and solve our immigration challenges.
To the business people they are more concern of establishing laws or removing laws that make it difficult for a businessman to make profit.
In a nutshell this is what politicians have to equate to see how best they can convince you to vote for them. And this is how political science is used to convince you to vote for them.
Question to ask every political party first is what is their political ideology because the answer they give you sheds light on their belief or ideology on all issues mention above. This is the reason why this question is important.
Most of us want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The argument or discussion is which political ideology is best to attain that goal.
The main two political ideologies are Conservative (right wing) or Liberal (left wing). Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all. It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. Believe the role of the government should be to guarantee that no one is in need. Liberal policies generally emphasize the need for the government to solve problems.
Conservatives believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, in St. Maarten’s case traditional St. Maarten values and a strong national defense, in St. Maarten case border control. Conservatives are very Patriotic and believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems.
For now I will give you both ideological views on economy and in my next letter we will discuss other issues.
A Liberal (social democrat) believes in a market system in which government regulates the economy is best. Government must protect citizens from the greed of big business. Unlike the private sector, the government is motivated by public interest. Government regulation in all areas of the economy is needed to level the playing field.
A Conservative (Believe in Patriotism) believes in the free market system, competitive capitalism, and private enterprise create the greatest opportunity and the highest standard of living for all. Free markets produce more economic growth, more jobs and higher standards of living than those systems burdened by excessive government regulation.
Stay tuned next time as I inform you on other vital issues of your concern.
The Patriot Miguel Arrindell
Dear Editor,
As the United Democrats made their way through the makeshift tents at the Philipsburg marketplace on Nomination Day on Friday last, it was a stark reminder of the current Government’s missteps after the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The missteps discovered were outlined in the ruling of the Court of First Instance last week, in which Government is instructed to remove the kiosks that were placed on the beach, and in particular from in the front of the Pasanggrahan boutique hotel. This is again a clear indication that hasty decisions and indecision by the current Government have been hampering the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten.
It was very evident that the decision by both the Ministers of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication – Ed.] and VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] to have the kiosks removed trampled on the constitutional right of the vendors. It was also clear that Government showed no cohesion with regard to its decision, which has also impeded on the livelihood of these citizens.
If the Minister was serious about getting the country ready to receive visitors from the cruise ships, it would have served the vendors, taxis, tour services and the overall marketplace’s image better if all damaged kiosks were removed (including those leading up to the vicinity of the RBTT Bank) and restored to an acceptable level of use. The ad hoc and irresponsible decision by Minister of TEATT Melissa Arrindell-Doncher has now rendered the area of marketplace as an eyesore as the vendors are now forced to set up makeshift stalls to be able to display and sell their products.
On Friday last, during the procession alongside the marketplace, the UD received shouts of praises and applauses from the vendors. The show of support reaffirmed that while the majority of the citizens do not embrace having snap election at this time, vendors and spectators alike expressed semblance of hope that the UD is the party they wholeheartedly believe can bring this country back from its destruction and turmoil.
Any Government must understand that governing means possessing a strong sense of emotional stance towards the well-being of all of its citizens, especially after the destruction St. Maarten endured last year. This type of reassurance has been grossly lacking from the present Government.
In the next six weeks the airwaves and byways will be inundated with every possible reason as to why the voting population should be voting for one particular political party over the other. No matter how effective the self-serving and pompous rhetoric will be, in the end St. Maarten will only be able to rebuild and redevelop properly if on February 26, 2018, voters choose individuals who can get the job done.
I am also convinced that our people will be more engaged in this democratic process when they are provided with concise and specific plans on how we will rebuild our Sweet St. Maarten Land.
Citizens of St. Maarten, I implore you to remain steadfast and encouraged; better days are ahead!
Member of Parliament
Claret M.M. Connor
Dear Fellow St. Maarteners,
If you are on the same wavelength as many on the island, your interest in the upcoming elections and the postulated candidates is zero to none so I am writing this letter to jumpstart my motivation to get out and vote in February, something I said I would not do, for the first time since the voting age of 18. However, I have been reminded that if I don’t vote, then I have no say in the future progress of our precious home.
Whatever. It never seems to make a difference anyway.
If the entire country stood up and rejected elections, then YAY, that would send a message, but, alas, we can’t even gather more than 7 people to protest our poisonous dump, so vote I shall.
To help myself with my choices on the big day, I have created a list of who I will NOT vote for, and have therefore narrowed it down immensely. Hopefully, it can also help you to decide who to elect to run our country:
- I will not vote for anyone who did not come out after Irma and sweat and work with the people, cleaning, fixing or distributing food and water. Playing dominos does not count for work.
- I will not vote for anyone who has not been active in their community in their own personal time. Before you were a politician, before you decided to run for elections. While you were growing up, but not now, just weeks before elections. That does not count in my book.
- I will not vote for anyone who frequents brothels. At all. Even if it is just for a meeting. On Tuesdays. As you say. You should be someone my children can look up to and respect. If you meet your colleagues at Casa Blanca, Capitan or any one of our many adult establishments, I have no respect for you.
- I will not vote for someone who has already been in parliament or an acting minister and has not accomplished anything constructive during their time there. If we are paying you over NAf. 10,000 per month, you better damn well show something for it.
I will vote for someone with a positive, intelligent and action-focused mindset. Someone who speaks clearly and is respectful and well mannered. Someone who spends quality time with their wives or husbands and children, who shows love and appreciation for our people and our environment. Someone who is an active supporter of any cause whether it be animal welfare, sports organizations, senior citizens, etc.
In my opinion, if you are ready to hold a prominent position, leading this country, you should be a contributor to our society in any way you can.
This person gets my vote.
Susy Piscione
Dear Editor,
I am Maurice Lake. In the general interest of the people I am going back to basics and moving forward. This is a continuous fight for change.
The past has taught me valuable lessons and has opened my eyes and ears to where the real issues are that affect our country. Today because of the many experiences gained, the lessons learned and a better knowledge of good practices, God has given me the opportunity to work with most of our political leaders, and based on my experiences and working relationships, I have come to realize that leadership needs vision, leadership needs a people’s person and leadership needs a progressive approach.
Therefore, the only way forward is to unite, unite the people in order for Sint Maarten people to smile again and create hope. That is why I have decided to work once again with political leaders Theo Heyliger and Sarah Wescot-Williams as well as other candidates on the UD list to help create better opportunities for our country SXM.
Why UD? It is clear we need a forward-thinking leadership to advance this country. UD with Theo Heyliger as leader will get things done for Sint Maarten.
For the past year and after Hurricane Irma, I have seen people all around me jobless/homeless/facing uncertain times. People are hurting and in desperate need for help. I felt a call to take action but I was not in a position to make the kind of difference needed. I see the vital need to create jobs, improvement in education, recognition for the University of St Martin, and better support for our seniors. Our people must be placed at the center again. They must be the focus for our country’s rebirth after the hurricanes. We need people in office who consult first and take the greater good into consideration. We must be more in touch and remain in touch with the people and for that, communication is key.
With the United Democrats party we can work to achieve better for the communities and the overall of the country.
The passing of Irma brought out the good, the bad and the ugly in our leaders, politicians and some of our people. However, this is the time for unity, togetherness and putting aside differences and truly working in the firm interest of our people. This is not the time to clutch onto grudges, to slander and sow the seeds of division among our people, but a time to build bridges.
I have learnt my lesson and humbly thank the leadership of UD and its candidates for having placed their confidence in me to be part of the recovery of our beloved country Sint Maarten under the leadership of the UD.
This is the time to learn from my mistakes, learn from them and start again to better serve our people. Time to come together and execute joint development projects for the benefit all our people – north and south, Sint Maarten/St. Martin. However you view it, we are one! People of Sint Maarten, we must confront our future with a unified front. This is the only way to truly move our Sweet Sint Maarten forward again.
I look forward to your support of me as candidate #23 on the UD slate at the bottom of the list which represents the foundation of the party. I am encouraging everyone to go out and vote for my person or any other UD candidate on the list. We are (U)ndaunted in our (D)etermination to see our country (P)rogress! Every beginning starts with a strong and solid foundation.
Sint Maarten needs a strong foundation to rebuild upon after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the UD represents this foundation. Vote Lake #23 for a strong foundation going forward. Rebuilding Sint Maarten.
Maurice Lake
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
