Is the territorial government really that bad?

Hi Theresa,

You've asked us to explain the entire VI political system. Easy question, but a very difficult and complex question to answer. In addition to the generalization you listed, there are many other factors to consider. Each politician in the islands needs a power base from which to draw enough votes to get elected. Those bases can be made up of all kinds of interests. Some involve the rivalry between STT and STX, some involve the background of competing groups. And some involve competing financial interests. Remember, as you stated in your question, when as large a portion of the residents are employed by the government, that provides a pretty good base of votes to keep things the way they are. I've been watching VI politics for seventeen years now and still can't figure it out.......but people in the states have the same problems and can't correct it either.

Schultz

Thanks Schultz for your explaination. It's sometime seems that some people who make comments about the inefficiencies of the VI government live in states where every thing is so wonderful and there are know bad politicians to be found where they are from. They sometimes act as if they are so surprise to hear about the problems that occurs in the VI as if it's the only place that is face with budget problems, red tape, poor service in government etc. I am here to tell you that these problems occurs in all fifty states and the district of columbia.

Theresa,

You are welcome glad its helping you.

The VI government does have plenty issues like you read. And like Rhea said it isn't just the Virgin Islands however because of our size and because of its effects it is very noticable and very talked and joked about. And with any problem it isn't enough to just think well it happens in other places so we are part of the norm, why not be not like the norm and be more functional and efficient! Like Schultz said it is a complex system that in my opinion is affected by individuals, cultural issues, history and evolution of the society and its norms and beliefs, personal issues, educational/qualification issues, monetary issues and so many others that are all set on simmer in one pot.

--Islander

Thanks all for your replies. I think after reading them I'm getting a better understanding that there are political problems, but not so many as to effect the quality of life on the islands. That's the information I was looking for. When I read about electricity going out and sewage spilling on the streets I was concerned, but from what you've all told me that's not true and I feel better about it. It's probably an exaggeration. I understand there really is no paradise and everyplace has it's situations, and by no means was I suggesting that the mainland is any better because real estate is booming. In fact in my state we have 2 mayors of very large cities in jail right now....one for corruption and one for child sexual abuse!!!! Oh, well, like my father says, "You can't fight city hall, but you can spit on the steps!"

Theresa

Theresa,

Electicity does go off once in a while. There is only one power company so if they need to fix something there is no other power company to borrow power from to cover for them turning it off while they do their work. So it happens. The sewer issues exist as well in some form, in town areas - as sewer systems do not exist in most residential areas so each residence has its own septic tank.

--Islander

I think Rhea is a little off base and a little half baked. Have you visited all fifty states and each and every county within it? Things MOVE faster in the states. Are you going to try and deny that? The crap that this government pulls is CRAZY! If any local government tried to pull half the @!#$ they do here, they would be run out of town. The police force is a joke. The buraucracy is twice that of any local government. It is harder to sell a car than to sell property. How many personal assistants and bodyguards do these people need? How many Blazers do they need? Last I checked, stateside refunds for this last year were PAID. Ask any local when the last time they saw a dime of the money that the government owes them for their refund! The roads are crap. I think people like Rhea ARE the problem with government. You think that things are ok the way they are..... that corruption is ok because it happens else where. The only place that counts is where we are....not Washington, DC or NY, or Billings, Montana. Is it too much to ask for a government that protects you, provides good roads and utilities, and gives you the tax money it owes you at the end of the year without padding their pockets and giving a leg up to every damn relative???? AND WHO CARES IF IT HAPPENED ELSE WHERE!!!!!!!! I DONT.

Chris: Do you feel better after that tantrum? Do you think you have changed anything? How do you propose to help to make things better? Have you put in your application for the diplomatic corps? If so, you might want to withdraw it! 😉

Apparently Chris you haven't lived in any of the fifty states either, or maybe you lived in one of the states where everything was so wonderful and the streets were paved with gold. Chirs you are suggesting that there are know inefficiencies and corruption in stateside governments which you are incorrect. The only reason it is not so blatant is because of the size of many of these places. The comparsion must be made with the other places becuase so many times people like you make statement that in the states this happen and that happens and this couldn't have been in the states. Why don't you take a trip into one of the government offices in any one of the fifty states and see what type of services are provided and how efficient those serivces are. I always wonder what state they are living in that everythign is so perfect. If you Chris is so discuss with what happens in the VI then I would suggest that you go back to where all the conviences that you lift behind. Yes citizens should demand accountability from there elected officials but so often on this board many of the writers seems to be suggesting that where they were living in the states everything was so wonderful. I just wanted to make the point that not only in the VI government waste and mismanagement occurs. If I step on your toes Chris so be it. And yes all the federal tax refunds have been paid in the states but what is the national deficit.

Are things really that bad in STX? Everywhere you go, there is corruption, but it seems that I hear of so much down there. I visited for 3 short days a couple of months ago and that is all I heard about on the radio. I'm moving there in the spring with my two small children and my main concern is the safety of my girls. Keep in mind that I am clueless and I am just trying to prepare myself for the adjusted lifestyle; however, am I going to be able to count of the local police department to be there if I need them - not to say that anything bad will ever happen, but just in case?? Unfortunately, I have heard from someone first hand that they called the police regarding some trespassers on her property that she was suspicious of and it took the police 2 1/2 hours to get to her home. I don't, by any means, want to sound negative, because I am going to make the best of our time living on the island, I'm just curoius. Thanks!

M, I mentioned this in another post higher up on this thread, you hear about the issues much more because of the size of the islands... and yes the local talk shows, calypso songs, radio djs, local news on the radio often talk about gov't issues, or sing about them or make satirical comments - it is a favorite topic. Talking about it alot is something we do, the changes is what is hard to come by. As for your friends comment, I can't really say why it took so long. In the very few times that I needed to call on the police they were available (fender benders - so traffic police). But I do recall that in cases of theft in stores and non-immediate situations they did take a long time.

--Islander

We've been on St. Croix for a month. We live quietly up on a hill on the north shore in the "country" We eat out, go to neighborhood bars, listen to music. We go to the grocery, wash our clothes, shop at K-mart.

In the month we've been here we have ALWAYS felt safe ( well, maybe not always when driving). Almost everyone has been helpful and friendly. There are two other houses on the same property. It is fenced, but not locked. So we have privacy, but we're not alone. I haven't had any need to call local police so I can't comment on response time.

I think part of the problem is that things and people look different. There are two corners we pass frequently that always have 2-4 "rasta" looking men sitting watching the world go by. I have no idea what they're doing, but they've never bothered us, don't seem to be dealing drugs, they usually wave as we go by. My husband kids that if he doesn't find a job soon, he may pull up a milk crate and join them.

IMO part of the problem for those of us who migrate from the continent is there are so many black people here. You never forget you are a minority -- really a double minority, if you're neither black or hispanic. We are just not used to minority status. So we see threats where none exist.

All this assumes you're not drinking heavily, not frequently bars in bad neighborhoods late at night, not inviting folks you don't know back to your hous

Act like a guest, be polite, be PATIENT, and you'll be fine.

Thank you Linda for clarifying the misconceptions about the race issue that seems to be on the mind of many continentals when they move to the VI. It is my belief that if everyone who moves there have an open mind and try to be more involved in the island culture instead of isolating themselves like to say, it's we and them, things would be better and the transition to the new life style would be easier.

A couple of years ago, I witness a young white guy who had move to St thomas and was involved in the local culture tremendously. I mean this guy was tramping behind Jam Band (Calypso band) and having a great time, all the blacks was hugging him and dancing with him. I think what was diiference for him was that he had an open mind and was willing to experience a new culture and in turn he was accepted by the locals.