Dear Editor,
Former Lieutenant Governor Charlie Vlaun once stated, “There are three powers and governments. The largest and strongest is located in Maho, the second largest in Front Street, and the smallest and weakest government, in the administration building.”
On October 10, 2010, St. Maarten embarked on a journey to the promised land of political freedom. A land where we would cut off the tyrannical grip of Curaçao – the colonial headquarters of the Dutch Kingdom. Politicians promised the people milk and honey since the island would no longer have its capital squandered within the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten would become an “equal partner” in the Dutch Kingdom and have its own Parliament. The new status came as a direct result of the 2000 referendum in which 69 per cent of the electorate voted for status aparte. Although the status may be seen as a great move by most political leaders, our people have yet to be incorporated into agendas of the local politicians. If we were, they would have focused on nation building by ensuring that the population was also prepared for the change.
The neglect of the people has been proven by the countless citizens that do not understand how our government system functions or what roles our parliamentarians play. The majority of our youth still do not know what 10-10-10 represents as they were not properly educated about the transformation that would take place. I can remember when my friends and I jokingly asked ourselves, “How different do you feel?” while we were in class laughing about the fall of the government. We probably wouldn’t have laughed if we found out the cost our parents and other taxpayers paid to benefits for ministers and Members of Parliament. What should probably be a day of celebration and a symbol of nationhood is nothing but a personal achievement for the politicians who delivered us from the burden within the Netherlands Antilles.
We are a country by mouth and not by practice. From 2000-2010 St. Maarten sent hundreds of its students abroad to study in the Netherlands, U.S. or within the region. Meaning, by the time we achieved our new status the island should have had enough professionals to work in the different ministries, departments and companies in government. Although the personnel quotas to fill in positions were reached, many positions were filled by people whose only strong point was their connection to politicians.
The effect of this was the hiring of consultants to do the work of those same people or the hiring of foreigners to be the head of the “incompetent” locals. What does 10-10-10 mean to a St. Martiner? At present, it means being abused by our very own politicians. Many of our youth are asking what does St. Maarten have to offer them or what sense does it make to come back home after studying? Major companies and hotels continue to hire foreigners to be managers and the cause of the working class is forgotten. We went from worse to “wussera” and got a six for a nine. At present, St. Martiners do not see a reflection of themselves in this current system and that has to change.
The most visible change since 10-10-10 is simply the expansion of government. St. Maarten had to set up and manage institutions which were usually run in Curaçao. Parliament had the biggest responsibility of amending laws, drafting or passing laws and proposing motions to improve the living standards of the people. It is supposedly the highest legal body on the island.
Unfortunately, what we have witnessed in the last five years are grandstanding, multiple falls/coalitions of governments and lucrative pay outs to former Ministers and MPs. Lack of continuity and stability continues to affect the public schools that remain in a deplorable condition, immigration control, a declining economy and the crime rate. Our political chaos led to instructions being imposed on the island by the Kingdom government, which local politicians deemed undemocratic in a system they signed up for.
Although I understand that the island was lacking resources, had politicians applied leadership principles besides playing politics we would have been much better off today. The poverty issue, cost of living and six-month-contract abuse have all been “addressed” by politicians yet the masses await actual implementation of policies that will solve the problems.
For the majority of the people, 10-10-10 is simply a false autonomy because the ultimate decision-making power is in the Hague. Parliament, the very same high-governing body in the country still cannot pass a budget without the approval of a supervisory (non-elected) board, with a foreign attorney general and an inherited justice system that does not take our culture into consideration. It is a holiday celebrated by the ruling class because I don’t see the positive impact or value for in the lives of the average St. Martiner.
The only solution for “Country St. Maarten” is to start the journey of nation building. The first priority should be the education of our people and instilling values within our community. We have to make provisions to safeguard our heritage and ensure that our culture continues to live. Entrepreneurship needs to be promoted and the red tape that prevents a local from starting his or her own business needs to be cut. Most importantly, politicians need to be held accountable, especially for the mismanagement of government resources.
Despite our problems St. Maarten progressed in leaps and bounds, but there is so much that could have been done better. The people must be involved and considered in the decision-making process in order to make up for the neglect that they’ve continuously faced. When our island is unified, when laws are passed to better the lives of our people, when our young professionals are given a chance to lead without victimization, when the rights of workers are being protected and when there is an equal distribution of wealth... then we shall celebrate. And a great jollification will surely take place.
It is time for us to rise and remember that love and labour will always prevail.
Ralph Cantave
