Dear Editor,
Like many citizens, I am hoping and praying that this government is able to serve its full term, which would be a first since this country gained “country status” in the kingdom of the Netherlands. I truly hope that coalition partners can honour their agreements and work together through to a full term, for the love of this country!
I admire Prime Minister Jacobs’ leadership skills and commend her and those ministers and parliamentarians who are staying focused on their tasks. Of course, government is always subject to criticism – this helps to keep them in check and holds them accountable – but fellow politicians must not add malicious intent to their criticism.
It is disheartening to see the fractures that so many young politicians have caused. They often spouted, “Give the young ones a chance!” Well they have gotten their chance and have made a mess of it, thereby putting the country that they claim to love in an atmosphere of instability. What a terrible image of the country they are projecting!
And those who have been suggesting a call for early elections (some glaring opportunists among them) should be ashamed of themselves. What good is that going to do for the country? Haven’t they learned from the past snap elections? With so many political parties, the formation of a coalition will again become inevitable, and this means that parties will have to agree again to work together! We often hear some politicians call for unity but apparently this is just a charade.
The recent party infighting aired publicly has left much to be desired. I sincerely hope that those party members can put their differences aside and work together. Remember that you are working for the country, so do not allow your ego to take charge. Give us the opportunity to regain some of the respect and admiration we once had for you, otherwise you will be judged negatively as politicians.
To the numerous parliamentarians who have declared themselves “independent” after being elected as a party member, many of us have since lost respect for you. There are now 9 factions in our 15-member parliament: What a colossal shame! These superfluous factions just cost government much extra expenses to attend IPKO meetings in Holland for 10 days! You so-called independent politicians could not work with your respective party despite differences, but later on you will join another party or form your own with the delusion that you will make things better. But if you have not matured in the meantime or have not learned how to cooperate, the political farce will continue to repeat itself time after time.
There will always be disagreement in any group. How these disagreements are handled in politics requires maturity, selflessness, cooperation and concern for the greater good of the country. It should never be the childish attitude of picking up my marbles and leaving if I do not get my way!
On another subject, does this small country really need 15 parliamentarians? Apparently some of them are hardly doing anything, proving that the country can get by with fewer. Why not let the excess be transferred to some other places in government where they can do meaningful work? I am sure that they possess skills or abilities which would be very useful in some other government departments.
Name withheld at author’s request.
