Dear Editor,
After lengthy and painful efforts to rationalize the behavior of our government in regards to many public policies, in particular the fiscal state of affairs, I must surmise that the entire legislative and executive branches have lost their minds. There is no other explanation for the madness that is happening.
What does the governor base his rosy picture of the local economy on? Especially when the rest of the country is facing recession, does it not stand to reason that people will engage in leisure travel less? Isn't leisure travel where we make most of our money? I'm no economist, but, please . . .
As for the Legislature, the squandering of money at a giddy pace is appalling. Priorities are entirely out of order. Waste needs to be reduced (by layoffs if necessary and definitely by reducing so-called "capital expenditures" which are really pork in disguise), if we are going to pay teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and other important and essential government employees what they are worth. Millions of dollars for a house plot at Drakes Seat is a gross example of misguided priorities.
I hate to say it, but our attitudes toward outside companies must change. While we must protect the interests of the islands, including the environment and our way of life, common ground must be found in negotiations. We can't have it "our way or no way" all the time. In these days of a global economy, no man is an island unto himself.
Dwayne Henry
Virgin Islander studying law in North Carolina.
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