Dear Editor,
I am not sure how many souls that are submerged in the miserable sea of alcohol will resonate with the title/equation of this article, as countless are struggling to keep their sense of worth above the surface of water, while witnessing others sinking with alcohol lower and lower, going under forever.
It’s an exercise in futility for those who are consuming alcohol to assuage feelings of inferiority and poor self-worth, trying to excise from consciousness what consciousness cannot bear – negative feelings about self. Escaping from oftentimes unbearable feelings of purposelessness, of not being socially useful and enduring a meaningless existence with the aid of alcohol only provides temporary respite and a kind of pseudo-relief. Trying to suppress our reservoir of feelings of inadequacy with copious amounts of alcohol is like trying to erase your shadow instead of the thing that causes it.
Personally I have had my episodes of drunken escapades, drinking sprees and periods of sobriety and relapses. I have on countless occasions tried to articulate the reasons why I have imbibed and overindulged so many times over, the totality of which are too numerous to recall. And almost invariably what I have discovered about myself is that lingering somewhere on the border of the conscious and unconscious are feelings of not being good enough, of not being confident enough, of not making the cut. Negative feelings of being inadequate aided and abetted by the poisonous culture of comparison resulted in me internalising unhealthy impressions about myself.
And what worked therapeutically for me to assuage feelings of low self-esteem albeit temporarily with long-term unavoidable consequences was a high daily rate of alcohol consumption; in order to flee from my low sense of worth. I literally medicated myself with alcohol and sought refuge in the abundance of confidence which increases and flows in proportion to one’s alcoholic intake.
Where those feelings of low personal value came from I have tried to appreciate from the literature of psychoanalysis, as constantly being at a low about how you feel about yourself can have a debilitating effect on your morale and overall motivation to be productive participants in life. And I know there are communities of people who have had their spirits crushed because of how they have perceived their sense of worth in relation to others.
And as much as we seem helpless on occasions to keep comparing ourselves to others at bay, comparison nevertheless continues to be the weapon that fatalises our joy, taking with it any residue of any positive regard we may have had about ourselves. We then, unknown to ourselves and unaware, mistakenly try to eject from our person those images, feelings and thoughts of not being good enough in relation to others by drowning ourselves, going overboard with alcohol.
But somehow we continually fail to see or are fearful of seeing that the illusion and relief alcohol promises us is the beginning of a dangerous, self-destructive habit. A habit that perpetuates with never-ending days of misery and darkness.
Orlando Patterson
Dear Editor,
My father always used to tell us that “experience is the best teacher, if not of the best teachers.”
Someone sent me a video on WhatsApp which reminded me of my father.
Dear Editor, I have written another letter to you, but I think that this should make a greater impact.
I have decided to put it black on white in order that for those persons who are not so well versed with cell-phones, it can be clipped out and saved. The other letter can wait. Here we go.
A young man who appeared to be frustrated posted the following:
“Sorry to say this, but being a good person does not get you love. It gets you used.”
An older man, and so to see, a much more experienced person, with a white beard, read that post and gave the young man this advice.
“My dear brother, I totally understand what you’re saying, but let us look at this from a different perspective.
“Before we decide to throw away those ‘good qualities’, let us define ‘Good’.
“A good person is kind, but not gullible
“A good person shows respect, but expects respect in return A good person will lift you up, but will not tolerate you pulling him down A good person can have a good heart. That does not mean that he is passive.
“A good person would tell another person, regardless of who he is ,what he needs to hear and not necessarily what he wants to hear.
“A good person, just like anyone else, has standards, he has goals and he sets boundaries. Whenever you cross them, he will check you.
“A good person will look out for you, but he has no problem saying ‘no.’
“A good person has patience, but that does not mean that he is going to let you
take his kindness for weakness.
“So just because a person is good, that does not mean that he is going to put up with nonsense.
“Love you, brother.”
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
According to the chairperson of CFT, Raymond Gradus, “a tax increase in St. Maarten, which is needed to generate more revenues for government, would not necessarily harm the country’s competitive position.” Gradus believes that increasing tax revenues by 2% would still have St. Maarten with a low tax to GDP ratio compared to other countries. Can we really compare St. Maarten with other countries? The other countries that Gradus refers to have vibrant economies, with excellent logistics for movement of goods. The economy of St. Maarten is not vibrant as one would think. Aside from the tourism industry, there is no other industry of significance on this island. Those that are there, directly, and/or indirectly, depend on the tourism industry.
As it stands, we already have problems collecting outstanding taxes. Would increasing of taxes not promote more tax delinquency, and/or evasion? With all due respect for the position of the CFT, I beg to disagree with the theory of Gradus. Also, is the CFT not a supervisory/advisory board that works for governments of The Netherlands, as well as of the various islands in the Caribbean under The Netherlands? If so, does Gradus and the other members receive 12.5% less of their wages as a member of a government-owned board? The national ordinance focuses on employees with high positions in the public and semi-public sectors, including members of the government-appointed boards, and members of the government-appointed supervisory boards.
My question here is, does this national ordinance apply to members of the CFT as well? Every time there is a calamity, we have no other option than to knock on the door of the government of The Netherlands for financial, and other help. If we were like those other countries that Gradus refers to, which have a higher tax to GDP ratio, we would not have to go to The Netherlands for help because we would at the very least, be somewhat self-sustainable, and more financially independent. Rather than permitting ways of hurting the island’s people even more, our government should come together with the government of The Netherlands to find ways to make the islands self-sustainable and financially independent.
Here in St. Maarten, we do not have land for economic development. Most economic industries require flat land for development of business opportunities. We do not have that. Aside from the logisticsa of land availability and importation of primary products, it would be awfully expensive for St. Maarten to ship products made on the island as we do not have a hold on this industry. Also, the ability to meet overseas market demands is not feasible, again because of lack of production space. Farming is also a big issue in St. Maarten simply because of lack of availability of land, and high energy and water costs.
We have solutions we can and should explore. The world population is growing, and land is becoming scarce everywhere. All countries complain of lack of viable farmland. Not only because of expensive operational costs, but long periods of drought and unpredictable whether as well. It is because of this reason and the population growth by 2050, that many countries are looking towards farming on water as a viable option. The practice of farming on water is for sustainable production of vegetables, fruits, and animals, but also for sustainable fish farming. I have explored these concepts as a means of self-sustainability, and financial independence for St. Maarten. Not for a private individual to own and operate, because it would not benefit the populous.
However, all who work and/or make a living from farming can participate in this program because it is intended to be a public/private co-op system. Government will provide the farms and local farmers will manage it under government supervision. The farmers will earn a percentage of the income, and government has a new source of revenue Vis a Vis imposing additional and/or increased taxes.
I have absolutely no interest in running for office. I have, however, always shown my love for the island through my various activities. In business, I have developed a product of need within the society through my funeral insurance company. For the past 27 years, my company sells only one product that offers a good package, with excellent and expedient service, and for the lowest price on the market when it comes to funeral insurance. I was challenged in court for my policy and was found to have done everything right, and therefore my company won the case. Every three years I get a certificate of integrity from the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, which has relevancy to my insurance company.
In sports, I introduced Pee-Wee baseball in St. Maarten in 1996. Mr. Brown and the late Mr. Baco as he was affectionally referred to, took it over after a while, which was natural, as Pee-Wee baseball precedes Little League baseball. As a member of St. Maarten tennis club, I lobbied for an international tennis tournament to remain in St. Maarten, thus bringing sports tourism to the island for eight consecutive years. It is until death do us part that I will stop dreaming up ideas to make St. Maarten better. What I would like, is to come together with government, in particular the ministers of TEATT and VROMI to further brainstorm these viable revenue-generating options for the island.
The floating farm project, if executed, must be relocated to the lagoon as the salt pond is not deep enough. However, the salt pond can be utilized partly as a Tilapia fish farm, and partly as a tourist attraction. We have a lagoon that provides tremendous financial benefit for private industries, such as the Yachting industry. I applaud the Yachting industry for it does provide work for locals. The problem here is that this industry benefits a few and government’s income is insignificant when compared to the GDP derived from this industry. I am not saying that taxes are not paid. I am saying that revenue for the coffers lacks behind in comparison. Still, I would not agree with taxing this or any other industry or individual the recommended or suggested 2%. Rather, government should capitalize on its natural resources to generate revenue from direct involvement, meaning government is the owner.
Government has recently claimed land on Airport Road. Prior to giving it to private developers, government must consider keeping it for development of projects that will benefit the country and all its people. If we can speak of government starting a financial institution to give loans to people who can barely afford a bank account, then government must consider securing available government lands, and investing in creating job opportunities, and sustainably feeding the populous, while at the same time increase its revenues free from additionally imposed taxes. I am not against a credit union concept that can provide loans to individuals that otherwise would not qualify for a loan. I believe however, that generating an income for the citizens precedes savings and loan possibilities.
With regards to the floating farms, my research showed that the cost of purchase of one floating farm is exorbitant when comparing return on investment. The only way this will work, is if there is an agreement between the Dutch government and the government of St. Maarten. This is an integral point of discussion in the meeting with the ministers. Let us come together as one and go to The Netherlands with a solid business plan, with which we will now ask for loans and/or grants that will have us become somewhat self-sustainable and financially independent. Let us inform and involve our representative in the Dutch Second Chamber, Jorien Wuite, so she can be our spokesperson, and join us in meetings with the Dutch government. Let us sow, so that our next generations can reap.
Louis Engel
Dear Editor,
The war in Ukraine can be stopped immediately and well if and when Ukraine gets/keeps its neutrality. It is all Russia asks for and rightly so.
There was peace between Russia and Ukraine, because this neutrality was there all the time, but then Ukraine wanted to join the EU and even NATO.
Russia could not let that pass and invaded Crimea, because Russia had a military base there – all very logical.
In the following negotiations with the West, the West said: We can talk about anything except the neutrality of Ukraine.
As a consequence, Russia amassed its troops along the boundary and because no progress was made in the negotiations, even sent its troops into Ukraine – again very logical.
Now tell me, who is to blame for this war? Two role players have to be mentioned.
First Mr. Zelenskyy. He is asking for weapons and more and more and more and more weapons. He wants this war to be continued without regard for the consequences, which are death and destruction, knowing in any case that the West will pay for the destruction.
The next role player and initiator of this war is Biden. Biden is a war president like Bush Jr. How to get to this conclusion? As soon as Biden was inaugurated he started his aggression towards Russia and China – very strange, very remarkable.
So there had to be an underlying reason for that, and the following theory and, of course, guess, came up.
In the months before his inauguration Biden bought an enormous amount of shares in the arms industry (of course, not in his own name). B. is now a multibillionaire instead of a multimillionaire he already was, and he is now also an oligarch.
Speaking about oligarchs, they all became very rich under Yeltsin, not Putin.
Putin saved Russia from this Yeltsin.
Therefore, all these seizures will be proven illegal. These oligarchs will have their day in court. They are busy to get a battery of the best lawyers in the world together and they will win if there is any sense of proper administration of justice. What a mess will that create.
The West will have to compensate the oligarchs and to pay for the destruction of Ukraine, which they have promised to do.
A last remark about the European leaders: they all follow the US president as a bunch of sheep, like in the case of Vietnam and Iraq.
P.J.E.M.
Initials used at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
Let me start by saying that I have worked in the banking system for many years, and today I see certain things happening that need the attention of the authorities.
First of all, some of the local banks are applying some unexplainable “rip off” tactics to the consumers who use their bankcards to make local payments.
When a WIB Bank cardholder uses his/her bankcard at a merchant that uses an RBC bank machine for a US dollars transaction, their account at WIB is charged an additional amount on the transaction.
For example; when a WIB client makes a purchase of $100 at a merchant with an RBC machine, the account at WIB is charged $102.25 Why? Because the system multiplies the US dollars amount by 1.82 to arrive at the NAf. equivalent of NAf. 182 and then re-converts this amount back to US dollars by dividing it by 1.78 and thus the US dollars account at WIB is charged $102.25
I believe that it is the RBC Bank system that uses this “rip off” tactic, because when a WIB Bank card is used at a merchant using the WIB Bank machine, the difference does not occur. It is incorrect to convert the US dollars amount by 1.82 as this figure includes the 1% exchange tax that is collected by the bank on behalf of the government. Does the bank really transfer these revenues to the government’s coffers? I doubt it!
Republic Bank too has a similar “rip off” scam going on. When Republic Bank clients use their bankcard at any merchant for US dollars transactions, they are charged an additional 1% on the amount of their purchase. Again, I query if these funds are reaching government’s coffers. So, both citizens and government are being “ripped off” while the bank is profiting from these illegal practices.
Another concern is that a particular local bank has started closing accounts from people who live and work on the Northern (French) side of the island. These long-time clients of the bank are being told that they must own property on the Southern (Dutch) side of the island in order to maintain their account at the particular bank. Are the authorities aware of this practice?
The last concern that I will address in the letter is the bank’s buying rate for euros. At least one bank on the island buys the euros at the rate issued by the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten, but then deducts an additional 2% from the converted amount. I wonder if this is a legal practice. The rates established by the Central Bank are the rates to be applied. Are the banks allowed to add additional charges to the rates?
Government needs to ensure that the Central Bank is actively looking into the practices of the local banks. As it is, it seems that the banks are allowed to add charges to the currency rates determined by the Central Bank, they can decide on the conditions to open and maintain accounts, they can close long-existing clients’ accounts, they can apply extra charges to electronic transactions, and the list goes on, while we, the people, are being ripped off unconsciously.
Fernando Clark
