Island News?

I've only lived on St. Croix for two and a half months, and I'm having trouble understanding what the fuss is over the territorial government. I lived in Washington, D.C., for 11 years. The government here reminds me very much of the government there.

As far as Island News goes, it doesn't seem to have much in the way of information, in my opinion. You can go to One Source online and read all this and more.

A corrupt, inefficient government is obviously bad, and grassroots efforts (not change from the top down, because it will never work) should be made to change it, but it can be a blessing in disguise. You kind of do your taxes. You can park illegally and not block anyone's way and your police officer friend drives by and smiles and waves.

I'm getting the impression that we have a thriving black market economy where a lot of people get paid under the table and there's a lot of bartering without taxes being paid. If it weren't for this, the official economy here would collapse overnight.

The government here is not communist or fascist, thank goodness. It could be a lot worse. We just have a lot of people (no, fools) at the top who are greedy and who want our hard-earned dollars. We have other good people in the government and in journalism who keep an eye on them, and from time to time we get an indictment, and we see where it goes from there.

I think what we need here more than anything is a public policy think tank that would have scholars do research on the political and economic problems here and make policy recommendations. We have these in Washington and in the state capitals, and they have influenced people's thinking and led to positive change. But people on the mainland kind of forget that we are part of the United States and just sort of ignore us.

In the meantime, you'll just have to expect more of the same and try to become a better person each day. If each of us is getting better, we're lessening the problem.

Mistake in my above post. I meant One Paper: www.web.onepaper.com.

BTW... do you HAVE to be a property owner to be able to jouin the VIPOA located at http://www.pressenter.com/~inews/home.html?

First I heard you didn't... and then I hear that youi do?

Anyone here know the lowdown on this? Thanks-

Stebman,
I don't think it really matters as long as you send in your money...

Thanks all. I really appreciate everyone's insight. I realize we don't live in a perfect world but I do imagine living on the islands will probably come as close as you can get.

I don't think Washington's hand should be too involved in whatever reform takes place but I do believe change will occur when more of you islanders (and me too, someday) get more involved and, as we used to say in New Joisey: "TRODABUMZOUT! YOUSE CUD GO SLEEP WIT DA FISHES IF YOUSE KNOWHADIMEAN!"

Have a terrific week!
John

I subscribe to the "Island News" publication. While I do find the editor's point of view somewhat negative he does make some valid points.

The debt per VI resident is exhoribitant when compared to any state in the US. In 2000 the per capita governemnt debt was $12,366. In comparison the per capita debt in Washington DC was $945 when a financial control board was imposed. As long as the VI is stuck trying to service this huge debt load it is going to be very difficult to make the needed increases in spending for health, education and public safety.

He also makes a point about the extraordinary number of government employees in the USVI compared to any State. Very difficult to balance a budget when your payroll is bloated.

Finally each issue of the "Island News" lists all the real estate transactions reported for the prior quarter. The newsletter does provide an authoritative source for what is happening regarding real estate values and trends in the VI.

The Virgin Island Investment Analysis given to all subscribers provides a good factual summary of information for anyone thinking about relocating to the VI.

As for other poster's comments stating that since he doesn't live year round in the VI he doesn't have a right or knowledge to critize what goes on here. As long as the USVI , or any other territory , is looking to be subsidized by taxpayers in all continental US states then those taxpayers have a right to say how their money is spent.

Jim

Preach on Brother!

Jay

PS: I'm considering signing up just for the Real Estate transaction info.

I agree with what the other poster said. If you don't live in the VI, then you need to stop criticizing what goes on here like you know something. I don't go into other states I don't live in, and talk sh*t about what their government is like. I find it rude and disrespectful, and when I read that site, I find the author has a "holier-than-thou" self-righteous attitude. I can't stand people from afar, talking like they know something about us....

Actually I think sometimes an outsider can see what an insider can't. What is very ovious seems normal. Fresh blood is good. Ideas can be good home grown or not. That is part of feedom of speach, you don't just stop thinking and speaking out just because you left your home town. The US Virgin Islands politician go to Wahington to get help. Is that so wrong? If an off islander want to create positive change is that wrong?

I do believe that VI resident can make a changes.

There is nothing wrong with an off islander wanting to create positive change, I would welcome that. It's just the ones who sit up in their house in the states, talking trash about "the politics" down there, when they haven't LIVED it to a full extent.

You are right it is not like the politics in our own back yards are that peachy. Our Philadelphia government is beeing investigated by the FBI as we speak. Citizens here are not upsat they rather wellcome it. I keep reading the VI daily to get a feel on the Island politics. I could tell as soon as we got to STX that the general population on STX was not happy on how things are going at this point. Every Islander we talked too remarked on how bad things have become. My husband who went to school on STX 17 years ago noticed the changes right away. Yet, we are positive thinks can change around for the better. I would like to see passion and spirit in the Islanders faces. It was oviously missing when we visited.

Iris

good morning.
I am on this website researching info. on the islands to get prepared for a potential move from Missouri. Is crime really that bad there? I am a 31 year old woman and very concerned about my safety if I were to move with my husband. I had a friend live there for a short period of time nursing and she moved back because of all the rapes and cirmes there....anything you can share with me?
thanks

Hi Kelly,
I have been reading the posts for a few months and it seems to me crime in the VI is no different than on the mainland. You just needs to be aware of what's going on around you and use common sense. So many people seem to be concerned about only themselves that they forget there are others out there, and some of those 'others' are out to get you. Just pay attention and you should be fine.

Read some of the older posts to form your own ideas and also read the local newspaper online. This site is the best for information about the islands. Great people, too!

I'm still a desert rat in New Mexico hoping to make it to the islands someday before all my teeth and hair falls out and I can no longer remember where I hid the Easter Eggs.

Good Luck,
John