Aruba: New Government On The Way?

Arubans will have their chance to voice their opinions on their government very soon.

ARUBA: New parliament to be elected, amid immigration and wage concerns

ORANJESTAD, Aruba (AP) - Natasha Ramos works in Aruba's critical tourist industry, where she earns a minimum-wage salary that has caused her to grow increasingly frustrated with the ruling party on this Dutch Caribbean island.

Her monthly US$685 (euro560.33) wages are barely enough to raise her three children, the 32-year-old hotel receptionist said. "We live in this tourist mecca and everything looks grand," Ramos said.

"After rent and utilities my husband and I are only scraping by." She will get a chance to vent her frustration Friday in elections in which all 21 seats in the parliament, and the post of prime minister, will be contested by nine parties.

Her concerns about stagnant wages, which have not kept pace with inflation, are shared by many of the country's 60,500 registered voters, focusing on such issues as the minimum wage, earned by 35 percent of the population, the rising cost of water and power, and benefit cuts for government workers.

Aruba's population has grown by more than 50 percent since 1991 to more than 100,000 people - an increase fueled in part by immigrants from Venezuela and Colombia.

Comments

[MoscowGirl]

Why the heck is "this woman" who is complaining about "little salary she is getting on which she can't raise 3 children" had the BLIMEY 3 CHILDREN?

Normal people get education, have a careet, set their finances and future first! Then multiply like rabbits!

DON'T HAVE THE FRIGGIN' 3 KIDS IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT!

[roy]

It will be the battle of the Titans.
MEP vs AVP.
If the MEP does not obtain an absolute majority, as they did last election then the next government will have to be a government of coalition.
It is unlikely that the AVP will achieve an absolute majority.
A coalition government will have a tough time governing the island. And also a tough time to ride out the full term of 4 years.
Right now the elections are the talk of the town.

[TheAlamo]

Her concerns about stagnant wages, which have not kept pace with inflation, are shared by many of the country's 60,500 registered voters, focusing on such issues as the minimum wage, earned by 35 percent of the population, the rising cost of water and power, and benefit cuts for government workers.

Wages are stagnant due to the fact they probably "group" contract for wages and benefits.
The fact that 35% of the population are held down by idiotic minimum wage laws virtually guarantees that they will remain poor. Minimum wage laws do not keep people from being poor--they actually create the poor.

If they eliminated all of the group stuff and contracted individually, based upon ability and productive results, then they would increase the real wage base. Competition would force the sluggards to actually work, or be replaced, with no help from the "group contract", which most likely measures "group" production instead of individual production, thus allowing the sluggards to "hide" their non-productivity. However, as long as ths sluggards are carried by the productive employees, and minimum wage laws keep real wages down for all workers, then the productive will suffer, as will the business as a whole.

Nothing different there, than here. The world continues to adopt socialist guidelines when history has proven over and over again--it cannot work.

Let's continue to sacrifice the many for the few...yeah....makes total sense.

[MissAruba]

Get a life Moscow girl....

[!]

Do not exactly what the goverments duties are on This "UNHAPPY LITTLE ISLAND" but I am hoping the justice department and police department are "Improved"
The ones that make the real money on the island are the drug dealers..LOL
Sorry for this lady but I agree with the 1st poster !

[frank]

Posted by: TheAlamo | Sep 22, 2005 5:55:52 PM

Absolutely brilliant. And yet, notice the cutting of benefits. Trying to have it both ways, just a microcosm of Europe.

I would think if tourism drops it could get even uglier.

[TheAlamo]

Trying to have it both ways, just a microcosm of Europe.

I would think if tourism drops it could get even uglier.

Posted by: frank | Sep 22, 2005 6:19:22 PM

As long as they can get away with it, they will continue to squeeze the people, cut benefits, but expect more production--worldwide.
As long as they control the educational systems, and "teach" government dependency, the people know no better. To them, the choices are "who is going to give me more," when, the facts are they could give themselves much more if they only knew their own value.
Hence, government schools in all nations--to make sure that doesn't happen.

Thanks for the compliment Frank, but things I know came from people much smarter than I am.

[frank]

Posted by: TheAlamo | Sep 22, 2005 6:57:20 PM

I just like the way you articulate it, factual with not to much of a sneer. I've heard Nanny State, Mother Russia. What else?

I know others will think we're slamming the people of Aruba but we're not. It's quite a co-dependant relationship. I just don't think there's money to be promised. I mean right now, if Aruba was a business, I wouldn't fund them at this moment.

[GrannyToad]

Alamo knows what works. And what doesn't.

[FloridaPatty]

I had a friend who told me that if you GIVE to make yourself seem like a team player, you are giving up. That shows you can do without that. They just keep whittling away and always use the same old excuses.

Shake it up Aruba. VOTE.

Rock that vote and get those filthy liars out of office. Look how they are living, look at the nepotism going on, cousins getting preferred treament, brothers, sisters, good friends... for a small island there isn't room for the native people to put up with that crap.

VOTE out the old, vote in fresh blood.

[Shari]

Each vote DOES make a difference. Now's the time to let your voices be heard.

[vincent]

FloridaPatty~

Like you said! The people need to start paying attention to their govt., and YES, VOTE!

[TheAlamo]

I know others will think we're slamming the people of Aruba but we're not. It's quite a co-dependant relationship. I just don't think there's money to be promised. I mean right now, if Aruba was a business, I wouldn't fund them at this moment.

Posted by: frank | Sep 22, 2005 7:14:14 PM

You are right I think, to a certain extent that it is not the fault of the people. Like here, they put their trust, and their livlihood in the hands of others. BiG mistake.
However, what IS their fault, again as is here, is to blindly accept the crumbs given them by their masters without even searching for an alternative.

Funny thing. That alternative can be found in American history 1776-1900. The greatest growth in the history of the world. But...no one wants to pay attention. it is easier to accept the roles they are given, fight amongst each other as to which guy fleecing them is the better of the two, then gripe at how nothing seems to have changed, even though the new guy SAID things would be different.

Somewhere in the Bible, I think Ecclesiastes it sums it all up:
There is nothing new under the sun.

[grandmatini]

A corrupt government that will be replaced by an equally corrupt government. I'm sorry to be so cynical but I doubt there is anyone on the ballot that is worth voting for.

[TheAlamo]

Each vote DOES make a difference. Now's the time to let your voices be heard.

Posted by: Shari | Sep 22, 2005 9:17:05 PM

Most of the governments of the world are as is here I am afraid--way ahead of the people. (by that I mean that they have the people under their thumbs--totally) Their vote will make a difference only if there is a difference in candidates' ACTIONS...not rhetoric.

As has been plainly seen here with the "conservative" contract for America, the people here were once again, blindsided by the scoundrels, you will see the same thing in Aruba.
Nothing here has changed at all, we have in fact, gotten more government and more control put upon us than when the "liberals" were in power. The same will happen in Aruba.

Like here, it is my guess that Aruba has two sides both talking big about how the GOVERNMENT is going to help them with this, or how the government will do that. But I bet none of them are stating that the government is the cause of your problems, and we intend to scale it back down to its necessary functions, which are, to protect your civil rights, and your property. Everything else is open for competition.

Until you hear that anywhere, in any country, things will just be same ol, same ol, in said locations. Talk, talk, talk but more of the same. One day I hope that people wake up and realize their own true value, in and of themselves, instead of how they can be "part of the group," and get some goodies from their gods in government.

[frank]

Posted by: TheAlamo | Sep 22, 2005 10:07:35 PM

My issue with here is that we don't have a two party system but a one party system. While there are similarities Aruba is like a small town that could be easily deserted like some of the gold mining towns or Bodie Nevada to an extreme.

At least here if you want to become conscious of what's going on you have somewhat easy access and lots of room for expression.

I see Aruba as more like a mid size corporation. The politics the unwillingness to move out of damage control mode all the while the value of the company is decline as customers go to competitors.

And yes, competitors haven't even begun to exploit the situation, they don't have to.

As you said earlier, if the workers knew their value they would flee, if revenue drops, and it won't take as much as is quoted. Cuts will be deeper. I really think there is a tipping point.

Most glaring of all to me is the lack of leadership. A singular person to rise and stand up and grasp the moment. They can't even get that.

It's like wanting to believe there is no iceberg, there is no iceberg and your on the titanic.

[Isanah]

Moscow girl,

Too bad This Aruban Mom doesn't live in France!
France is offering a cash incentive for couples to have a third child!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050922/ap_on_re_eu/france_making_babies;_ylt=Ar_juZy2p9LDi5d2g8rTko.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

[TheAlamo]

I see Aruba as more like a mid size corporation. The politics the unwillingness to move out of damage control mode all the while the value of the company is decline as customers go to competitors.

Posted by: frank | Sep 23, 2005 1:19:04 AM

Seems to me Frank, that this is the way most governments would like their nations to be set up...along corporate lines.
Unfortunately, the "competitor(s)" was the USA, now rapidly plunging into like mindedness.
In the old days, there was a place to go, like the "new world." Now, they have convinced the world that we are all democracies, and the majority rules. Easy to do when you have "don't ask, don't tell" voting machines where the vote cannot be counted and verified, or you have an electorate all looking to government to solve their problems....with their hand out of course.
Don't know a lot about Aruba's governmental structure, but it is probably modeled along the lines of European "democracies." In any event ANY government that functions as a democracy will fleece the people dry, while keeping them in bondage by playing off one group against another on a continuos basis...ala USA. If they can keep the people fighting over things like race, gender, age, income, status, etc., then they have done their job of keeping them too busy to learn of actuall shenanigans being pulled on them as they slave away, hoping that...one day...one of the promises made...will be kept.
As Orwell so aptly stated: Picture a giant boot on the face of humanity.

[hobo]

Awesome points, Alamo. A question I have had about the Island all along is whether the gov't provides services i.e., education, medicine, supplement to income, etc. I guess I'm talking subsidies? Then there is the other question of cost of living. Hate to bring it up, but there are a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck and have incomes way up there--we were counted as two, living at the edge. So sometimes it isn't how much you may not have, but what you do with what you've got. God Bless Natalee.

[TheAlamo]

Awesome points, Alamo. A question I have had about the Island all along is whether the gov't provides services i.e., education, medicine, supplement to income, etc. I guess I'm talking subsidies? Then there is the other question of cost of living. Hate to bring it up, but there are a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck and have incomes way up there--we were counted as two, living at the edge. So sometimes it isn't how much you may not have, but what you do with what you've got. God Bless Natalee.

Posted by: hobo | Sep 23, 2005 4:24:04 AM

Governments of no nation provide services. Government cannot provide, since they do not produce anything. They steal money from those who have it and buy votes from those who do not, by giving them the money.
It is a very inefficient system in that they have to grab about $8 to get $1 to those who think they need it. If those 8 dollars were, instead allowed to go back into the economy, then those dollars would produce more by becoming investment income, which in turn would provide jobs, and the "needy" would have jobs to go to that are much higher paying than welfare.

Services? There are only two services that government performs that cannot be performed at a higher level by the private sector.
The military, and some have made arguments, even that this would be better off private--but I do not agree. The other is to protect your and my civil rights from being trampled on by....none other than themselves and/or other citizens. Other than that, they are not needed except at the state and local level.
Of course, they must constantly convince the people that they are there to "help" them, so that they can continue to subsidize their own pet projects, which buy them votes, so that they can continue to fund their offshore accounts with money that is rightfully ours.

Governments cannot produce, they can only grow. They are like an octupus that wraps its tentacles around the citizenry and squeezes the life out of them.
We once had a government that abided by these natural laws of protecting, but not providing, but it died in the early 1900's. Tentacle, by tentacle, it has continued to wrap itself around our citizens and now look where we are. No different than the rest of the socialist world, and actually rapidly heading for third world status.

The cost of living is not a function of the government directly since all countries are now run by a private banking system, i.e. their own version of our "federal" (which is hardly federal) reserve. These give rise to the cost of living by producing more paper dollars, not backed up by anything of value, so that they can be "measured" so to speak, for trade purposes, wages etc.
The more paper they produce, the less value it has. That is why it takes $100 to buy what $30 bought 10 years ago. Price is actually not rising because the value of goods and services is roughly the same. But, the shrinking value of the dollars causes you to have to spend more of them to acquire that same value.

You are right about the paycheck to paycheck because wages have done nothing but lose ground since 1973. Spendable income is actually declining along with the purchasing power thereof. Now, with both husband and wife working, and in some cases one or both of them working two jobs, they are still having a tough time. Unfortunately, there is no one else left to work, so they are going backwards economically. There are only 24 hours. You cannot work all of them, and even if you could, with the banking cartel running the show, you would still lose.

Those who have been fortunate to make the right investments at the right time may be ahead of the curve, but they are few. Out of thousands of mutual funds, there are only about 30 that are solvent, and that number will decline.

The answers are to become involved in businesses that can produce more than the declining rate of the dollars. Instead most people get a job. Won't work. If they begin their own business they will get tax breaks, and have control of their time. They just need to pick something that they can do, and that there is a market for.

[RICK]

TheAlamo is totally correct in his description of all governments. Take your money at the point of a gun against your will and do with it as they well please. US federal government, services? Protect our borders... 3% total tax. 20 dollar hammer at Home Depot, US government, $160.00. That's about right. People having kids they can't afford. That's OK, we'll pay for them so they can then multiply further. Ring it up!!!! Sad, but true. It's gone forever unless there is a major revolution. Too many sheep.

[Justice]

"To all Aruban’s:

American wants to encourage you to do all you can to help find Natalee Holloway by stopping the cover up of her kidnapping, gang rape and murder by Juran Van Der Sloot and the Kalpoe brothers.

It’s time you stopped pretending that Paul Van Der Sloot with the help of Jan Ver Der Stratten ( corrupt Police Commissioner) Ben Vocking alias, Ben King ( corrupt prosecutor) and the entire inept, corrupted police force have conspired to cover up crimes committed against Natalee Holloway and for what?
To protect Juran Van Der Sloot the son of a corrupt want to be Judge from going to prison for the rest of his life. Juran is a predator, rapist, murdering, lying coward and why would you let these corrupted Aruban officials cover for him?

Americans now know and understand this will not be easy for you since your government is corrupted to the highest levels of government. We also know the Aruban government has been bought and paid for by the money launderers, gun runners and drug cartels that paid for the political campaigns that put you corrupt officials in office.

If not for America, stop the cover up and prosecute all the above participants in her kidnapping, rape, murder and cover up, before we Americans show our retribution by boycotting Aruba and killing there economy the same way you let Juran and the kalpoe’s kill Natalee.

So take a stand for the good people of Aruba who don’t won’t to pay the economic price of retribution by the Americans for the injustice your country has shown the Holloway’s and us Americans. Believe me the Van Der Sloot’s are not worth the price the Aruban Tourism industry is going to pay for the injustice your government has perpetrated against the Holloway family.

Note: I promise you if the Holloway’s don’t have justice for Natalee’s kidnapping, gang rape, murder and attempted cover up, you and the rest of the corrupt island of Aruba will pay dearly. I will do everything in my power to choke the life out of your tourism industry and watch it die, just like you did to Natalee Holloway.

Also in the event you fail to show some balls and take a stand against the corrupt justice system of Aruba and allow justice to be served to the Holloway’s , I just want to say Fuck you and fuck you to your entire fucking corrupt government.

Yours truly,
Justice will prevail

[TANYA]

Why the heck is "this woman" who is complaining about "little salary she is getting on which she can't raise 3 children" had the BLIMEY 3 CHILDREN?

Normal people get education, have a careet, set their finances and future first! Then multiply like rabbits!

DON'T HAVE THE FRIGGIN' 3 KIDS IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT!

Posted by: MoscowGirl | Sep 22, 2005 5:22:41 PM

Please keep in mind that the minimum wage workers on whose backs the rich get richer have a right to a life of free choice and the right to a decent way of life. They are after all working and not sitting on their butts depending on taxpayers..........
THE WORKING POOR HAS RIGHTS TOO!

[FloridaPatty]

A corrupt government that will be replaced by an equally corrupt government. I'm sorry to be so cynical but I doubt there is anyone on the ballot that is worth voting for
......................

This is not true. Look for the one who does not have all the fancy campaign ads, the one who is out where the others aren't. The one who has worked among you and knows how it really is.

The others pay for their own silence and look the other way as FAVORS.

One thing I saw play out in that court system was the special favors. One thing I learned searching Tickle early on is how many are so close when publically they appear in different camps. So much of this came out. I have such strong compassion for the people on that island and wish so much I could convey the importance of making time to vote. It is essential. The desperate ones stay in office will pay for votes and they will pay for the silence of those who need to speak. This isn't freedom. They have their fingers in many pies and keep the wages low to keep the profits high.

Vote. You think change cannot happen? It can.

[Disappointed Arubian]

Note: I promise you if the Holloway’s don’t have justice for Natalee’s kidnapping, gang rape, murder and attempted cover up, you and the rest of the corrupt island of Aruba will pay dearly. I will do everything in my power to choke the life out of your tourism industry and watch it die, just like you did to Natalee Holloway.

Also in the event you fail to show some balls and take a stand against the corrupt justice system of Aruba and allow justice to be served to the Holloway’s , I just want to say Fuck you and fuck you to your entire fucking corrupt government.

Yours truly,
Justice will prevail

Posted by: Justice | Sep 23, 2005 10:10:56 AM

1. Do YOU know what happened to Natalee? Wash she raped and murdered? Really? Where does it say?

2. Not the whole island is corrupt, the current goverment has allowed too much space for corruption to prevail which is why I voted against MEP.

3. Injustice has been done to us all, not only Natalee. We all want justice.

[FloridaPatty]

3. Injustice has been done to us all, not only Natalee. We all want justice.
.........................................

And you did the right thing in your vote. Voting is your opportunity to change things.

.....................

I have a question. Why did Paulus go to Holland with Joran? Vacation?

Is he still there? If so why?

Shouldn't he be with his wife if he is there?

[TheAlamo]

Please keep in mind that the minimum wage workers on whose backs the rich get richer have a right to a life of free choice and the right to a decent way of life. They are after all working and not sitting on their butts depending on taxpayers..........
THE WORKING POOR HAS RIGHTS TOO!

Posted by: TANYA | Sep 23, 2005 11:09:38 AM

You are right Tanya, but....the working poor, if not already slaves will no doubt fare even worse as inflation eats up their buying power.

The reason the US succeeded in becoming powerful is that the people became educated on their on initiative. Luckily there were no government schools to brainwash them at the time. Now, it is "get a college education---so you can get a JOB." They wanted to learn, and so the population was not only literate, they were intelligent.
The working poor need to learn what actually works. Free markets=free men.
Anything else will sooner or later end up in slavery as has been seen throughout time.
Not slavery with the whip like you see on tv. But, never ending struggle just go stay even. Never having the opportunity to grow and learn and see what they can make of themselves. Being told they are free, but making sure they pay all of their "permit" fees, and excise taxes on top of their income tax. Being told when and where they can build on their own property. Paying taxes on their own property. Being told they need a permit to spray their crops. Having a permit to hunt or fish.
Having to have a permit to defend themselves. THIS...is slavery. Period.

[frank]

Posted by: Disappointed Arubian | Sep 23, 2005 11:53:00 AM

They may not be corrupt but they are all complicit and I guess the other term would be enabling the corruption and cover up to go on.

Bumbling by the police of epic proportions and an ineffecive prosecutor.

Who did Paulus work for? The prosecutor's office. You do the math?

Where was the scorn against the VDS's? Instead, you allowed Paulus to conduct a media event showing locals hugging Joran upon his release.

[frank]

Posted by: FloridaPatty | Sep 23, 2005 12:07:18 PM

He is attached to the one person that can bring him down. His son. Joran is protecting his father.

[ElissaBelgium]

I am not very fond of Aruba at the moment caused by the Natalee case, but I blame the gouvernement and not the people. It's hard to live these days, not only on Aruba but everywhere it's hard to keep up with the costs and the raising of the different things like electricity, oil, water etc.
I was shocked to read that Natasha Ramos only earns a little more then 500 Euro, that is definitely not much and underpaid, it's a shame especially since she has three children (I hope she will be more carefull in the future) and a husband (does he work??).
Here in Belgium, there are many people who don't even go to work and live of the state (OCMW like we call it here, department of social services) and every month they get a minimum wage of plus-minus 650 Euro, it is more or less when you are single or with children or married, divorced etc. and the house you like to live in (one bedroom, two, an appartment, flat ,studio, etc.) so you see, it's not fair how things go around the world but that's life.
Still I think she should look for a better job that pays her much more or otherwise she has to get more degrees by studying and go higher on the working ladder.

[FloridaPatty]

Elissa we have the same thing in the states. So much per child ($) and there is housing at reduced or free for the needy. You can imagine how it is full of deadbeats. The idea was to give people a chance to get on their feet when times were hard so assistance was there. Many take advantage.
..............................

get a college education---so you can get a JOB." They wanted to learn, and so the population was not only literate, they were intelligent. -Alamo
.........

I was one of those poor moms with a husband who did not have an education and labored for money I cannot imagine living on now. I went to college (Pell Grant) got a job, continued learning taking one class as I could. I volunteered so I could attend things for FREE FREE FREE ...something few people consider doing, and now things are so good. Nice home, food on the table, soft bed to sleep in, a phone, nice car, happy educated children who are both now in college.

Education is very important. I do believe it is how the Paulus Van Der Sloots in life get away with things that happen right under people's noses. They don't want to bother, believe what they are told, nevermind. Ignorance instead common sense. They are at the mercy of THE MAN for their needs in life.

[frank]

Posted by: ElissaBelgium | Sep 23, 2005 12:35:26 PM

Not to get off the subjuct too much but I also think people think they need to make more money to afford a life that they think they should have.

I've ascribed to the theory of spending less, having less and really trying to understand what you need.

I just hope people do with less and invest in their kids which is about teaching them lessons and as early as possible teaching them how to earn and spend the money they make on their own.

[TheAlamo]

I just hope people do with less and invest in their kids which is about teaching them lessons and as early as possible teaching them how to earn and spend the money they make on their own.

Posted by: frank | Sep 23, 2005 12:53:14 PM

This is a difficult one Frank. Our whole society has been raised on credit. Little is taught about thrift since they give credit cards to college students who don't even have a job yet. Do they lose money by doing so? In the short run, possibly, but they can usually count on mom and dad coming and cleaning up the mess. But what they HAVE done is trained and acquired future business because the first thing the college kid will do upon graduation is get three or four credit cards, finance a new car and try to buy a nice home...usually above their means.
Our life has turned to "can you qualify?" By the time retirement rolls around, all of the money they could have had has gone to pay the interest on the various debts they incurred throughout life. Homes, cars and credit cards! They (credit merchants) got the money that could have gone into building a personal equity, so that "credit" would not even be necessary, had they waited just a few short years.