Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Dear Editor,
Despite the efforts of this new parliament of trying to convince the public that it has raised the bar to a very high standard, this proclamation continues to be such an uneasy truth. On the contrary, it is by far, worse than the previous. What has become common practice for some parliamentarians is to have speech competitions and to see who can outfox and demean the other. But the public is not interested in such devious minds and childish behaviours.
Elevated representation of the people coincides with the ability to think independently and then proceed expeditiously and consciously to the demands of society and the success of this island. That is why I admire former MP Hyacinth Richardson, who may not have had the oral ability like others who just chatter skilfully, only to insult and seek appraisal to satisfy their self-centred fascination. Quite the opposite; he has always taken time to assess the situation and then vote in the best interest of the people.
The most disappointing of all the parliamentarians are the two Independents. When I look back at their performance in their previous positions and the way in which the public viewed them then, it is such a contrast to their current behaviour. It is so sad to see how bitter and mean they are, to be always in competition to see who could insult their colleagues the most. What is hurtful is that these two politicians are always commenting on the failure of the previous parliament. Yet, they have not shown the political maturity to rise above party line and convince the public that they are there to represent whole-heartedly.
Just last week, there was a discussion in parliament of which MP Sarah Wescot-Williams posed some very interesting questions and also shared her suggestions. All she got was insulting, self-centred comments from the number 2 candidate of the US Party and some nonchalant, diluted insults from the former Minister of Health. As long as they are not the ones who are delivering or members of their coalition, every other comment has no significance for them. Wescot-Williams may have characteristics that can irk many, including myself, but credit must be given where it is due. I have said before that she is the most tactful politician and an ace to reckon with. Besides her, the only politician who can represent St. Maarten on every level is MP William Marlin.
This group feels that because they can boast about having various degrees make them more competent than the previous. Possession of degrees comes with true intelligence, wisdom, common sense and the ability to think independently. Independent-minded parliamentarians oppose and refuse to be controlled remotely. Instead, they pool their ideas and work together to propel this nation forward. Self-interest is never an option for forward thinking intellectuals. But this initiative is far-fetched because their egoistic nature has taken centre stage. This became the obvious a few weeks ago when their true character was exposed by blatantly insulting their colleague, MP Silveria Jacobs, when they stole her motion and then presented it as theirs. What they fail to realize is, the more they try to undermine their colleagues, the greater the risk becomes for getting a vote of no confidence from the public.
I think the worst thing that parliament has done is to form these committees because they are identical to the structure of the government-owned companies that are run like cartels. But I like the words of Billie Holiday who says, "You can't copy anybody and end with anything. If you copy, it means you're working without any feeling."
Joslyn Morton
