Dear Editor,
Yes, St. Maarten government has done it again. From the time the new coalition government was formed after elections, I believe people were hoping for the best, however things still turned out again for the worst. I believe I can hear the old people say: “Donkey maybe peed on them, or too much goat mouth was upon them.” However the case dear editor, we are now seemingly back to square one. Should we now go back to the polls, form another coalition or what? It’s a shame!
Since St. Maarten obtained its separate status in 2010, yet now nine years later, our politicians still cannot get their act together when it comes to unity, agreement, interest of this island, and governing stability.
Dear editor, how are we going to prove to the people of St. Maarten and the Dutch, that we can handle things on our own, even if we may ever get independence? With continual breakup of government, I can say that the future of this island may not be too bright. What example are we setting for ourselves, our future generation, and the Dutch Kingdom? It’s like a marriage relationship that goes sour. In the end it will lead to separation or divorce. And who will suffer the most? The children who depend on a stable family unity to grow up and walk in the footsteps of their parents.
Over the last years since our Separate Status in 10-10-10, we have seen more disagreements, disunity, ship-jumping, greed, selfishness, even politicians continually being arrested, or put behind bars for committing fraud, money-laundering, cutting above- and under-the-table deals.
Dear editor there is now talk about a re-election, especially among the opposition’s members of course. But dear editor, the people of St. Maarten are not foolish. We have been deceived for too long. Having a new government will not prove anything. The majority of people of St. Maarten have lost their trust in our politicians. The ten to thirteen thousand guilders a month salary is sweet, so why not fight your way back in?
Dear editor, since Hurricane Irma, many people on this island are still suffering financially, emotionally, and socially. Also there are still many pending issues to be resolved since Hurricane Irma devastated this island almost two years ago. The people of St. Maarten deserve better than this.
Our politicians need to understand that since 10-10-10, because of political issues, misunderstandings, backbiting, and cut throats, little progress has been made or achieved as an island that has received more autonomy. The people of this island are greatly concerned about what is going on politically. This issue has become the talk of the day.
Dear editor what people want is a stable government who will be able to jumpstart this island economy, bring in investors, get our airport, which is St. Maarten’s main economical stronghold, rebuilt, provide jobs, and give them security.
Voting for a new government who will go into office and repeat the same mistakes like the previous one or ones, does not make much sense. I don’t believe many people might even want to go cast their votes, unless they have the assurance that they will get a government who they can depend on, a government who is able to help them, and provide progress and a secure future for this island.
Dear editor, if we cannot run our own country, then we might as well bring in the Dutch to run it for us.
Frustrated and concerned citizen
Name withheld at author's request.
