Comments on: Our Constitution

By: Indigenous Virgin Islander

Indigenous Virgin Islander — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:12:22 +0000

Some delegates to the 5th Constitutional Convention are living in a dream world. Let’s analyze the facts. The U.S. Virgin Islands is a possession of the United States, but all legal V.I. residents were either born U.S. citizens or became naturalized. Getting a constitution does not translate to a change of citizenship.Silence is approval. Only a few people want to see a change in status.Those who do like being an American citizen can denouce their citizenship. Why impose their personal views on others? Why continue to lament about things that we cannot change? Evidently, the people do not even care about a constitution. Less than 25% participated in the special election.

We should elect Michael Springer to serve as a senator. He is responsible for this website and reads about your concern. Tell him the legislative changes that you want and are possible.I think there should be a law that permits all government employees to continue working although they’re senatorial candidates. It is possible to perform the job as usual if time is not used to campaign. Private employees and incumbant senators are not penalized when they announced their candidacy. The law should be stated that no person shall conduct any campaign activites except during nonworking hours. Why are the senators in office not considering this? I’m sure we all know the answer to this question.

By: Dwane Callwood

Dwane Callwood — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:24:06 +0000

Well said, Mr. Estemac. I contnue to be baffled by the way we, as a populace, cast votes. We complain and complain about the disrespect, lack of representation, and outright disregard for our best interests repeatedly shown by our elected representatives; yet when the opportunity arises to do something about it, we see those same folks get re-elected. It’s time to demand that our elections be about issues and how each candidate feels the issues ought to be addressed. Enough of ALL this talk about which issues are priority. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I do believe that VI residents are intelligent enough to figure out on their own what issues should be priority. We don’t need to be told. Let’s start casting votes based on issues, and not other matters irrelevant to the person’s likelihood of truly representating the people of the V.I.

By: Thinking Cap

Thinking Cap — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:29:46 +0000

I too have noticed that many of the delegates are wanting to legislate. While this is not good for the constitution, some of their ideas sound good for the senate. I am willing to consider some of them if they run for the Senate. Of course their answers to questions at Senatorial debates would play a role in my consideration. I would just like to see a new slate of Senators that are ‘humble’ rather than “honorable”.

As for the constitution vs status, I agree that status should come first, however I don’t feel our electorate is mature enough to make that decision. That’s right, just look at how we vote around here.

By: ladlie

ladlie — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:37:32 +0000

i left the states 14 years ago to make a life here. I bought a home here in 2000 and gave up my stateside citizenship and became a what here? what exactly is my status, i’m no longer a statesider,i no longer go back to the states for any reason, my home and life are here now, so where in the “pantheon” of status does someone like me lie,i work and pay my taxes here,i vote here,i worked very hard to scrimp and save so i could buy my house,nothing was handed to me.