Dear Editor,
I try my best to inform people for the past 15 years why St. Maarten government will be experiencing this confusion we are in.
The truth is that 70 per cent is the electorate or the voters of St. Maarten fault. The other 30 per cent is the so-called leaders’ fault. St. Maarten electorate is a market where people can easily be deceived. (Reason – our population have a very low general knowledge.)
In politics, people can easily be deceived when they do not know what they stand for. In political value it means what is your political ideology. When there is no political ideology the only thing left is ego and greed. When there is no vision (political terms – the approach on how to accomplish an objective) all is left is deception and empty promises which are not realistic.
A political party is an organized group of people who have the same ideology, or who otherwise have the same political positions, and who field candidates for elections, in an attempt to get them elected and thereby implement the party's agenda. The party ideology is its approach on how to accomplish matters and needs of the people in that country. The main topics are the economy, healthcare, national security, labor participation, and immigration. Then are the topic of social issues and morality. In the bigger picture the quality of life to make a nation prosperous and as healthy as possible.
To accomplish these objectives an ideology has to be established. And this is what the voter for him- or herself has to find which ideology that identifies with their values to vote for a political party.
The main 2 ideologies are free-market capitalism or socialism in the political spectrum, free-market capitalism which is conservative ideology and democratic socialism which is liberal ideology.
The matter is for people not to like you or agree with you. The matter is for you to know who you are and what you stand for. Based on who you are will make you find out and demand a political party to expose what ideology they believe in.
Free market capitalism is a free market system, an economic system based solely on demand and supply, and there is little or no government regulation. In a free market system, a buyer and a seller transact freely and only when they voluntarily agree on the price of a good or service.
Socialism is a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.
These key psychological differences can determine whether you’re liberal or conservative.
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, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
Liberals 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.
Do not vote for someone just because they are educated. They should have many of your values and beliefs. Also, ask about their social values and morality.
When a political party is formed on ideology the party’s chance of stability in government is much greater because the ideology is in sync with how successfully they govern. The results depend on if the electorate or voters establish a better quality and more prosperous life when election time is at hand.
The conclusion is to find out who you are (what is your political ideology) and that is the party in your opinion you should vote for. Choices have consequences, choose wisely. This is the only manner on how to accomplish stability in government.
The Patriot Miguel Arrindell
