Dear Editor,
In these peculiar times, it’s evident that some individuals in power strive to avoid blame for unpopular actions while eagerly seeking credit for popular ones.
This results in a range of politicians who often remain inactive, deflecting the “negativity bias” and, in the process, neglecting their oversight responsibilities, leaving our country to grapple with its challenges.
This issue hits close to home when we witness the struggles faced by young homeowners in the Carbon project. They were initially lured in by impressive marketing tactics, enticing pricing, and financing offers that seemed too good to be true.
However, recent town hall meetings revealed disturbing instances of multiple sales of the same properties and possible embezzlement of funds.
Our laws dictate that no more than 10% down payment should be collected for mortgages, but here we see a blatant solicitation of 50% down payments. Furthermore, banks and regulatory departments failed to conduct due diligence, leading to the dire situation we face today.
The root of this problem lies in the fine line between negligence and incompetence, where various institutions and government oversight mechanisms have failed in their basic duties. Justice is imperative for the victims of this Ponzi scheme, not just because some are known or because the money was hard-earned, but because this level of fraud cannot occur without some form of institutional complicity.
Implementing punitive actions would not only bring justice but also send a powerful message. However, this depends on the existence of political will and a commitment to long-term policies. Politicians must be held accountable for their policy outcomes, especially in our short political cycles, where they often evade responsibility.
In the past, prior to 10-10-10 we could blame our problems on Curaçao, but today, we must own up to our issues. Strong punitive actions, driven by the best interests of our country, offer a path to tangible improvements in our society. It's time we take responsibility for our challenges and work towards a better future.
Vote correctly.
Viren V. Kotai
