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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSENATE CHAMELEONS CHANGE COLORS

SENATE CHAMELEONS CHANGE COLORS

The latest drama in the Virgin Islands Senate concerning the "Prosser Deal" is unbelievable. Not just because of the deal itself — senators give away the people's money on a regular basis — but because of the actors selected to play the parts.
The transformation of Senators Adelbert Bryan and Alicia "Chucky" Hansen into cheerleaders for big business, advocating tax breaks for the wealthy, is astonishing. The senators even looked uncomfortable on TV, as if they were shocking themselves with the words that were coming out of their mouths. Bryan and Hansen looked normal only when they were discussing the small details of Senate procedure they are used to.
Two weeks ago it was Senator Bryan who characterized the protesters against extra taxes on cruise lines as pawns in the hands of the business owners. Bryan talked of the employees who protested the taxes as being afraid for their jobs, forced by the masters of Main Street to act against their own self-interest. What has possessed this proud native Virgin Island leader to want to do away with taxes on another set of businesses?
Hansen's record of hands-on interaction with the St. Croix hotel industry is well documented. Suddenly, however, the possibility of another big hotel in St. Croix is reason to shower the builder with extraordinary gifts. Hansen never tires of referring to her concern for what she calls "my people," but usually the people she is talking about are the masses, not the masters.
The only reason senators could offer for the vast giveaway was, "Nobody is doing anything in St. Croix." These senators are the very ones elected to provide solutions and leadership, not to turn away from difficult choices and throw themselves on the supposed benevolence of big business. The V.I. Senate has proven again and again in the past that it cannot work within budget limits, yet they choose to limit future budgets by giving away future tax monies.
Among the most famous fools in history are the natives who sold the island of Manhattan for a few beads and blankets. There are now eight Virgin Island senators competing for the famous fool category as they sell our future for two ball parks and a drag strip.

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