Lack of a quorum once again led to a meeting of Parliament being unable to continue (see related story). It happens so often one is hesitant to even comment, not wanting to beat a proverbial dead horse.
In this case Justice Minister Anna Richardson had answered first round questions before breaking for lunch, so the second round could start afterwards following any clarifications requested. Several members present in the morning did not show up for the afternoon session, forcing an early adjournment.
Whether that had anything to do with a motion independent parliamentarian Grisha Heyliger-Marten reportedly intended to submit is a matter of speculation. However, the fact is that of the three who failed to return without notice, two were from the National Alliance (NA) party, just like the minister.
In general, people tend to get annoyed about these cancellations and delays, considering that elected representatives have non-meeting weeks and rarely gather every day of any week, let alone for an entire day. To be sure, some of it involves the kind of battles usually between coalition and opposition that are inherent to the political system, especially with elections looming early next year.
Nevertheless, legislators are very well paid and representing the people ought to be a full-time job. Most are not regularly in their faction offices either, raising the question just what they actually do to earn the handsome pay with perks.
This is not a St. Maarten problem alone, of course, but a complaint heard in many countries. Few have found practical solutions that do not undermine democracy.
The reality is that once in office, voters have no control over those they put there. Some have suggested at least attendance records be made public more frequently.
Having heard in the same meeting that only a few of the ankle bracelets purchased can be used for prisoners, an observer even jokingly wondered whether the others should perhaps go on politicians during normal working hours to keep track of their whereabouts when they are supposed to be serving the taxpayer. Now wouldn’t that be something?
