Dear Editor,
My dictionary of the English language, which was edited in 1949, defines the word “farce” as a ridiculous parade, b: empty pageantry, c: a mere show, d: a ridiculous sham.
When I google the word “farce” it stated “a comic dramatic work, using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations.”
A little while ago I wrote to you that government should take the law prohibiting the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle off the books, because everybody including the police, break this law on St. Maarten 24/7. In the same way I am suggesting that they change the constitution, where it pertains to the swearing-in of members of Parliament. It has become a farce.
On various occasions Oprah has said that many years ago Maya Angelou told her that “when people show you who they are believe them.” Dr. Mercelina, who tended me in the past, is a very good doctor and I would recommend him to anybody, but since he entered politics he has shown me who he is as a politician, so I believe him.
So, is he someone who I can depend on to guarantee a stable government? Not from what he has shown me so far.
A similar case can be made for MP Brownbill. When I read the oath of Members of Parliament it states, “I swear (affirm) my loyalty to the King and the Charter for the Kingdom, that I shall always help to uphold the Constitution of St. Maarten and shall support the welfare of St. Maarten to the best of my ability.”
When I joined the force, we discussed the oath that we were going to take before we were sworn in. During that discussion one of my classmates from Bonaire made the observation that he would not add “to the best of my ability” to an oath because that is providing space for a cop-out. And that has always remained with me.
After 45 years for almost nine years straight I have been seeing here on St. Maarten what my classmate meant come to pass on a regular basis. “To the best of my ability.” Wow. It is a shame. In a country with a 40-hour work week, that not one of those Members of Parliament past or present can boast that they have earned their salary.
At the ceremony the governor usually adds that by taking the oath you unconditionally swear to always dedicate yourself to foster the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten. In taking the oath of office you agree to accept and commit to carry out the serious responsibilities entrusted to you by the people and for the people.
I would challenge everyone who have been in government to prove to we the people that they have truly dedicated themselves to foster the wellbeing of the people of St. Maarten. Is lay waiting, governing? Yes, that’s the question, because all I know is that they are laying and waiting for the other one to make a mistake and then jump on it.
No one should even think of mentioning bus-stop huts, because I do not think that is anything to brag about either. It also seems that every project that was brought forward was stagnated because there is a discrepancy of funds or financing. And then almost always after that, there is some investigation with weird names like the Iguana case and the Mongoose case. Right now it’s the Boat and Airplane cases.
There is very little change in the scenarios but our people seem to prefer to take their chances with the prosecutor’s office than simply going out there and doing what they are well (over)paid to do.
Should we not do away with the swearing-in of people in government? Indeed people, that sermon on Sunday last needs serious contemplation.
Russell A. Simmons
