Dear Editor,
For many years now I have been writing letters to you as a citizen, a taxpayer and a voter of St. Maarten. If you consult your archives you will notice that what has been said and the little that is done by our people in government nowadays is what I have written about several times in the past. A little late now but it is still a good thing.
I told a gentleman once that the politician vying for a seat who wishes his opponent “good luck” is a hypocrite. “What do you want him to say then,” was his reply. I believe that “may the better man win” sounds more genuine. Because it does not matter what the situation is, when there is not enough to go around, loyalty goes out the door.
So, on reading from Miss Silveria Jacobs that after the hurricane several attempts were made to unify parties in the interest of the greater community and together stand our ground, I thought “naïve” or “cunning.” If the schoolchildren say that there was outside influence in throwing down the last government, the schoolteacher at least must have heard that. I use the word “naïve” because why would MP Silveria Jacobs still expect parties to come together when – with the aim on toppling the government of Sint Maarten – has become the reason for forming a government. The formation has to be of such that there remain one or two weak links.
I continue to say that members of government continue to govern as if they are still in an Island Council setting. By now they should know that every MP is an individual and is open to lobby other members to get policies made, and eventually put into law. I will continue to say that civics has to become a subject in which the MAVO students have to do exams. It is the basis of law, which by now everyone knows is the essential necessity for St. Maarten.
When we were growing up and going about our usual way, sometime during the day our mother would say to one of us, “You didn’t pray this morning, because if you had said your prayers, you couldn’t be doing the things you are doing.” We are constantly reminded to say a prayer for guidance of our leaders in government because of their difficult task ahead. But too often do I have to say, like my mother did, “They didn’t pray this morning.”
I read Elco Rosario’s letter to you and he is reminding us of what so many of us are constantly saying – that our people in government do not take sufficient care of the people. If such was the case I believe that the people would rally around PM Romeo-Marlin and tell Bosman to shut up and clean up his mess in Holland first before trying to tell us that we cannot voice our opinion. If he gets away with that, then, yes, we are doomed.
If the sentiment of the people that the action of the judicial force is purposeful, I believe that PM Romeo-Marlin, just like everyone else, has a right to voice her opinion and it can be dealt with and also the consequences.
It seems as if “puppet regime” is going around in the head of Bosman. If the Dutch are so keen about what we are doing, I think it is time that they live up to all their promises and when their hands are clean then they can venture to correct us. “Verbeter de wereld, begin met jezelf.”
I was taught that two wrongs do not make a right. If there is a pattern in behavior one has a right to voice their opinion about it, whether it is personal or in general. The saying on the unity monument that Elco translated says “Steuned op eigen wieken met de wil elkander bij te staan.” Assist and cooperate. Not impress on. So, to the Dutch also I have to say, like my mother use to tell us: “You didn’t pray this morning?!”
Russell A. Simmons
