Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Dear Editor,
The country is abuzz about yet another attempt to form a government after the first parliamentary election since the elimination of the failed Netherlands Antilles. It would appear that the Red, White and Blue effort turned out to be dead on arrival and people are left to speculate as to what exactly transpired. As is more often than not the case, the rumour mongering is again rife about money and promises of pies in the sky.
It would seem that whenever the green party has an opportunity to form the government, the haters come out with one fantasy or another. The other parties apparently don't revert to any scheming, political gamesmanship and trickery. I have learnt from persons at a popular hangout spot that one of the party leaders was quite vocal about whose head would be on the chopping block after he is signed in as minister. Imagine, we are not yet in government and instead of reflecting on the many problems we are called upon to resolve, we worry about political victimization. There have never been discussions on the new hospital, the runaway unemployment, especially among our youth, or the large debts we must pay to the satisfaction of CFT.
It would seem that even our Honourable Governor got caught up in the hoopla by appointing a formateur one time, instead of the usual informateur followed by the formateur, if there is sufficient support and willingness to form a government. Also considering that the document presented by the honourable MP Marlin enjoyed only three signatures from party leaders and should not have been considered a majority.
People run an election in the HOPE of being in government and every party has a right to do all in its power to achieve this goal. There shouldn't be any favouritism from the office of the governor or the council of churches for any given party or parties, for whoever succeeds in forming the government, become our government. No one, irrespective of the perceived experience or years in the legislature, can claim any right or monopoly to government.
When we selectively show favour and preference, we act as if we have the power to deify those we like and demonize all others. While we are in a democracy, however young and fragile it may be, it behoves us all to allow the process to run its course without undue interference and prejudice.
Our people deserve no less. MP De Weever has given his explanation and I don't see why it's queried, for no one questioned the "carnival coup" and the others in the past. In the wisdom of our forefathers, it was said that none is holier than the other and whatever turns out to be "good for the goose is also good for the gander".
Elton Jones
