Step up to the plate now- chart your own future and save our island shame and more intervention.
At the time that I am busy writing this letter, it is of course not yet known what a 'smashing success' the march organized by the 'People United for True Democracy (PUTD) later will turn out to be – if any at all.
So - all I can say, at this time is; Guys - wish you luck.
However - at this time, I will take the calculated risk to doubt it becoming a really, popular, non-political 'uprising' against 'neo-colonial Dutch' intervention.
Nevertheless, whatever the outcome of the 'March' , it will not fundamentally change the position of the Dutch Government towards the overall political situation of the 'Friendly-Island'.
If any change in that regards can be expected - I again put my reputation on the line by saying – it will NOT be for the better for the 'Old-guard' politicians – period.
The reason in fact is very simple.
Our current 'body politic' has reached an absolutely all-time low level of trust and confidence - not only among the Dutch Government in general – but worse yet – among our own St. Martin native population, residents and key-institutions as well.
Now, for sure there will be those, who would want to also blame the Dutch for being 'corrupt' and who would want to argue all the day long, who is/are to blame for this very serious crisis and breach of trust in the body politic across the board.
Not to mention those, who are trying ever so hard to even convince themselves, that 'We can solve our own corruption practices ourselves'.
Really ? Like firing all prison-guards and management, of point-Blanche so that the prisoners can guard themselves and guarantee the public that they will not escape to commit some of the very same crime they are now sitting for.
SO, let's now get serious and face reality and facts.
Fact is - it is a fact that - yes very unfortunately – there is a very great distrust among all involved in our society and far beyond in the 'Old-Guard' politicians across the board.
To make matters worse - those who have resorted - in recent times to 'jump ship'- in total disregard of the trust they received from voters - have significantly contributed towards the explosion of distrust in all politicians.
The most relevant question therefore now is - ' St. Maarten Quo vadis ?
Where do we as a society, as a people and as proud, conscious 'New-Guard'- politicians go from here.
Here being the place and time, where and when the Dutch Government has decided to take a more active role in guaranteeing better governance on St. Maarten – which some now- conveniently and opportunistically- term 'neo-colonialism'.
Also, the place and time, where and when the trust and confidence in the 'Old-guard' politicians by the local community, as well as international bodies has taken a severe 'beating' as never before.
The place and time, being also where and when ALL St. Marten people, locally as well as in the Netherlands and elsewhere have to endure shame and disgrace of being associated with all things corrupt.
The place and time, where and when also our young, 'New Guard'- politicians and young professionals , are being in many cases - UNJUSTLY connected with presumed acts of corruption and criminal activities they never actually were responsible for
And so, we can go on and on...
One thing is for sure.
Whether the 'Dutch' really had any 'colonial' agenda that would lead them to intervene or not – by us not starting to define ourselves as a people and starting to chart a new course for ourselves – they will AUTOMATICALLY get far more grip on everything on the island than if there was an alternative a 'fire-wall'.
For that reason, last week on Facebook, I made an appeal to all 'New Guard'-politicians across all party-lines to come together is an effort to start charting a new and more responsible way of Governing their country.
The response on Facebook was truly humbling to me.
Many young people responded incredibly positive.
Although, we do not want in any way to influence their possible thinking, we feel that as seniors, we have a responsibility towards empowering and inspiring our youngsters and young professionals to take control of their own destiny and of the destiny of their won country.
It can not be so - that because of the attitude of my generation of people and politicians in which we have created a situation of distrust and of negativity for our next generation, that they should become the victims.
Therefore, the least we of the St. Martin grassroots People Movement feel we can do, is to take the initiative to bring interested youngsters/politicians from North and South St. Martin together.
The idea would be to encourage them and where and when requested by them to assist in setting themselves up as the ' New Guard'- leaders of this country.
Eventually, they should work towards regaining the lost trust and confidence in politics and Government by our won people I the first place.
Also, eventually, they should put together a very professional delegation to go to the Netherlands, France, the UN, the Caricom, schools and other institutions on the island etc.
To us, this is the sensible action to take now, as opposed to allow the credibility and future career of our youngsters to be 'tainted' by them being used in a useless 'tit-for- tat' against the 'Dutch' – that is a lost proposition.
Needless to emphasize, that our St. Martin Grassroots People Movement is more than willing to assist our next generation of political leaders in the process.
Who knows, if The Governor, The UN, The Dutch Parliament and others, would also be willing to assist in this process of reconciliation and in regaining and rebuilding trust and hope in the future for all on the island.
In ending, allow me to thank the very many bloggers on Facebook for their very positive and encouraging response and we look forward contributing to our young people being able to be the best they can and to define themselves as such, as opposed to be associated with corruption, nepotism and the like.
God bless and guide our 'New-guard'- Politicians, young professionals and youngsters in general.
With respect,
Drs. Leopold James
President of the St. Martin Grassroots People Movement
