Dear Source,
Frank Schneiger's most recent comments on this subject are the most reasoned and balanced and thoughtful yet offered by him. Donna should take pause and read and listen instead of assuming a haughty position towards the Legislature and others opposed to her ideas.
She, it appears to me, hasn't applied any deep examination into what the future may look like under her proposal. She seems to be driven by comments made by U.S. legislators who don't care much about the people in the V.I. anyhow.
Frank rightly pointed out that democracy is suspended when the power to govern is turned over to a selected few. But that should never happen. For then, where is the rationale for 'government of the people for the people and by the people.' For instance, why should anyone risk their lives in the military when they have no say in matters that affect their lives. Democracy becomes a sham, capitalism becomes a failure.
In the V.I. where most people work for the government and most of the revenues are raised from tourism, you cannot take any precipitous action that would create hundreds of jobless. This would create more of a financial crisis, add to the welfare burden, increase crime, drive tourists away. Unintended consequences — perhaps.
The solution. Go to the people. Put any plan, proposal, idea to the vote as a referendum. Dictates from the top die in the hot tropical sun. Ideas from the people take root and grow and bear fruit.
Vernald Turnbull
Hamilton, N.J.
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