Dear Editor,
Where is the will to do the right thing? During several discussions that I have had, I have frequently heard that “politicians do what politicians do.” I can agree with that, but donkeys also do what donkeys do. Donkeys kick, without warning, but also, donkeys do not make promises.
All I’m reading and hearing these days is criticism and reasoning but no effort for solutions. There are those of us who say that the different television networks let us hear and see what they want us to hear and see. Whether we know both sides of the story or not, I do not believe that all the networks could doctor all of Trump’s campaign speeches to sound the same. And I also believe that any reasonable person could know that Trump is speaking from all corners of his mouth.
Polio for decades now with limited research ability is successfully combated, while the whole world is upside down with COVID-19 and its variants in this day and age with unlimited research ability. In the words of my father: “Why is there enough time to do it twice over and not enough time to do it once right?” “The same energy that is used to do wrong, could be used to do right.”
Once you do the right thing there are no more worries. I believe the same thing should apply to what is happening in the world today in Ukraine. Do these leaders have a family, do they have children? Do they pause to think what goes around comes around?
I read several things in the paper of March 1 which pricked my curiosity.
In your editorial “Staying there” you mentioned that 18 additional recruits will not solve the entire problem and you also explained about the continued cooperation with the Netherlands JVO. I would have appreciated it if you had reminded us about the way in which the Netherlands called back all their police people last year.
As long as I can remember, the Dutch always negotiate with both hands out. I was taught by the Dutch in school and the following is very true. At a certain moment I was confused, because we were taught one thing in school and the contrary in Sunday school. At school it was impressed upon us “voor wat hoort wat” and in Sunday school we were taught “It is better to give than to receive.” I became a police officer, working with Dutch colleagues and there again “voor wat hoort wat” prevailed. Another thing my father would say the Englishman used to tell them. “Nothing for nothing, and very little for your money.” As I grew older I recognised the lesson in that.
The MP Wescot-Williams has been involved in every one of our governments since 10-10-’10. Her dedication to the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten should move her to fill in those cracks in order to fortify the wall and not stand by watching it crumble, but you know why.
What astonishes me is that throughout the whole Bible mention is made of “doing good and not looking for anything in return” because “doing good” always has its reward, but we still delight in the negative. I am yet to know a politician, especially in government who does not relish that “Gotcha” moment.
When do the people really count?
Russell A. Simmons
