Dear Editor,
I read “Fast running out” and even though I am sympathetic to what is written, I believe that you are missing the point. For the longest while now the modus operandi of the politicians has been “If we do not put too much pressure on them they will be content with (the wrong) we do and are not going to rock the boat” and so is the case with business in general on St. Maarten. That is one of the reasons why the Minister of Justice got flack for doing that which is right. For years now the politicians have noticed that there is a certain percentage of the voters who do not rock the boat..
We have had several industrial strikes as well as strikes against government policies. When we look carefully at who physically participated in those strikes we would notice that they were holders of a Dutch passport born in the former Netherland Antilles. When we look at the many voting lists that we have had during these last 11-plus years, we would notice that 25 per cent of the voters are Dutch Antilleans, Surinamers and the Dutch combined, and that 75 per cent have acquired the Dutch nationality through marriage or naturalization. On paying attention I have calculated that the majority of that 75 per cent are those who do not rock the boat. And the politicians also know this and they thrive (prosper from) on this.
They strategize their campaign based on this. And they even stoop so low as to declare this is what the people voted for. And as tough as it may sound, I have had to make them know that they are “gorging” themselves from the misfortune of their fellow men.
I can fully understand that if a man is willing to risk his life by crossing the ocean to get to another shore, which he already concluded must be able to offer better circumstances than home, he will not be ready to give that up when he reaches that shore. Neither would he run the risk of altering the circumstances of his new haven. Our politicians know that the majority of these people are the people who make up that 75 per cent of the voters, so they make use of and take advantage of the disadvantage of fellow human beings, proving that they are in there for themselves and not to help the people. In doing so they do exactly what you have written about in “Fast running out”. They are all ophthalmologists.
What I have found out just by listening is that the aspiring politicians on St. Maarten have been told that “If you don’t have money you can’t get in the game.” The logical follow-up to that would be: “To stay in the game you have to make money also.” So, you pull the wool over people’s eyes, and even though many of them have spent time in the police cells or on the hill they still continue.
I have to add this for clarification. Formerly people worked six days a week of which Saturday they only worked half a day. In a predominant Catholic community Sunday was the day of rest. As time went by and certain demands were made, the Netherlands Antilles, being under Holland, had to go along with the changes in democratic-ruled countries. But the politicians have always done it in a way to stay ahead of the game. So, when certain demands were made, instead of giving monetary compensation they gave Saturday and Sunday off. I can still vividly remember the elation and jubilation of the members of the Seventh Day church who were not able to get a job in government because they were not allowed to work on Saturdays. So, the trend has always been “Give them free days, keep them quiet, then we don’t have to worry our heads about paying them or increasing salaries”. This helped a long way in stagnating employees from standing up for their rights.
Politicians have always rearranged the laws in a way that it would seem as if they were the good ones by giving the people extra holidays, but very rarely were the salaries adjusted. It is still working today. So, no matter how you formulate your editorial, as long as it does not touch that 75 per cent, it will fall on deaf ears. And we will always be paying for votes.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Over 99 per cent of the entire world population is against the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Now the writing is on the wall for NATO, European Union, Caricom and United Nations to give Ukraine full support without hesitation. With great help to the max and also weapons is a priority to give Ukraineans’ government, because Putin keeps putting a blind eye and deaf ears for peace and to stop the war against Ukraineans.
Well, NATO, European Union, Caricom and United Nations must go after Putin militarily. It will be a great chance Russians will even help take Putin from power.
China seems supporting Putin. Why China so silent? They are not encouraging Putin to stop the war against Ukraineans in Ukraine.
Putin cannot win this war and faster NATO, European Union, Caricom and United Nations move towards giving Ukraine military help May 9, 2022, can be a very sad day for Putin.
If Putin mess with America, Great Britain will teach Putin a lesson and there will be even possible many Russians and Russia Amy will help overthrow Putin.
Putin, stop the war against Ukraineans. Now you’re a criminal.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Government of Sint Maarten,
This practice whereby concerned citizens, persons affected, neighbors, etc. are required to physically go to the Government building to review permit applications which may have consequences for them needs to stop! We live in the digital age, make relevant components of permit applications available online for all to view.
Making people suffer through trying to actually make an appointment in the first place (phones are hardly ever answered, emails are seldom answered or answered late) followed by an in-person visit to review the applications with one or more civil servants staring them down in the process is not the way public consultation/review processes should take place.
Pride Foundation Board members have in the past often been faced with developers miraculously calling them minutes after Board members reviewed permit applications. This needs to stop! Stop putting the interests of the few over the interests and well-being of the many!
We repeat, put permit applications online for all to review!! Change whatever legislation or policy needs to be changed in order to facilitate this.
Rueben J. Thompson
President, Pride Foundation
Dear Editor,
Goods and life in general are getting increasingly expensive by the day everywhere, and especially in Sint Maarten; our country that already is well-known internationally to be awfully expensive to live in. Nowadays each and every local business is using the war in Ukraine as an excuse to raise their sales prices even more than during the recent pandemic, as there are no price controls.
It is worrisome how we, the people of this already expensive country, have to face the future financially, and how this government expects us to be able to survive without any salary/pension raises or government measures to alleviate this unbearable financial burden on its citizens. This island is becoming priceless for the ordinary man, as well as for tourists. If this government does not step up its act, this country will become abandoned for greener pastures with at least more financial security.
Today, the price of gasoline was raised again with Ang. 0,08 per litre, from Ang. 2,74 to Ang. 2,82. Everywhere around us the price of gasoline is being adjusted (read: lowered) by other governments in order to lend a helping hand to the already stretched wallet and budget of their citizens, but this is not the case in Sint Maarten.
On the contrary. Last week, the government of Curaçao lowered their price for gasoline with Ang. 0,25 per litre, from Ang. 2,63 to Ang. 2,38. Yesterday, it was also publicized through international media that the oil price has decreased from US $128. to US $99. per barrel, which is the same price a barrel has cost before the Ukrainian war started on February 24.
So, how can the government of this country justify just now to raise the price of gasoline even more since the last raise of 2-3 weeks ago? How does government explain this 14% raise for gas to the citizens now that the oil price per barrel has decreased with 22,6%? Is no one going to react or say anything about this mismanagement by government, whose only goal seems to be to milk the citizens without any scruples?
A concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request
Dear Editor,
The Department of Communication published a brief on Facebook called “Raising the Bar for facilitation of factual information to the public”.
In this brief they refer to a 2017 policy regulating the execution of the weekly press briefing of the council of ministers. This policy has now been amended and all media partners have to reapply for a press pass, valid for one year..
The brutal part here is where they say: “It is at the discretion of DCOMM and ultimately the Council of Ministers who will determine the caliber of reporting/journalism permitted to question the executive branch of government.”
Let that sink in for a minute, even totalitarian countries don’t put it that bold! We choose our governments by general elections and have the right to question our governments on their decision-making and execution. Journalism is one of the tools the population has to ask these questions.
Government has no place and no right to choose who they like and who they do not like to ask the questions and to report on them.
Our journalists know what needs to be done now, sharpen your pens, fill up your blogs and vlogs, don’t let them get away with this travesty.
Binkie van Es
