Narrow minded Constitution

Wow, I have to watch that one. Guess I will not be running for Governor as I planned. Oh well, more time to drink!

I have no particular problem with these restrictions for the Governor and Lt. governor. As long as the senate requirements are reasonable.

I have no particular problem with these restrictions for the Governor and Lt. governor. As long as the senate requirements are reasonable.

There is little likely hood that a non native would ever be elected to any high office here. My concern is that the CC folks are trying to sabotage this document before it ever gets to us. I can't see that and a few other things getting by the US Congress (or whoever must approve it in Washington DC) and the VI voters.

They needed to write a fair, inclusive document. That isn't what I have been reading. It looks like we have once again spent millions of dollars on a boondoggle that won't be approved by the voters.

Inclusivity? I remember something about a dream, and skin color, and character content, but that has never been something with which legislators in the VI have concerned themselves...

I voted for it before I voted against it.............oh wait I'm having a Kerry moment..........lol.
I dare not read it anymore than I already have, it's just an insult to intelligence :-X

Anybody know off-hand if our past Gov./Lt. Gov.s were born here,etc.?? I know I can look it up myself but can't right now. (I'll probably forget about it later)

If we ever aspire to become a respected part of the world, to be able to hold our heads up as a forward thinking territory that has something to offer our fellow US citizens other than beaches covered with litter and greedy hands out to the tourists, we must denounce such short-sighted, bigoted thinking. Why in the world would we want to deny an opportunity of service to our brightest minds simply on the basis of birthplace? I think residency rules might be useful, but birthplace?? I think not. Unless, of course, we are content with poverty, WAPA, corruption, inflated prices everywhere, homelessness, crime, drugs, and holes in the roads that eat cars for breakfast.

These are not times for exclusionism. We need every smart-thinking, energetic, politico we can find. Some might have been born here, but I daresay not all.

Very well said!

Evans, King, Schneider, and Turnbull were born here... Juan Luis was born in Vieques.

So was Farrelly.

this paper joke will never pass,at this point it's a racist piece of nothing,as long as people like kendall peterson,adelbert bryant and mary morehead are involved in anything in the USVI,nothing GOOD will ever happen here

this paper joke will never pass,at this point it's a racist piece of nothing,as long as people like kendall peterson,adelbert bryant and mary morehead are involved in anything in the USVI,nothing GOOD will ever happen here

I agree, it never will pass.
For one, it needs to be legal, why decedents of slaves trying to state their case would want to be so racist, I don`t know.

To write a opposite, but equally racist document, one would need to hire Neo Nazzis, Skin Heads or the KKK.
How refreshing our local former senators & governors can compete with them.

Chucky Hanson is usually involved with the people you named, I think she should be Iddle Brains side kick again.
I think that should be part of this constitution!
And if she doesn`t agree, we should have her turn in her fake law degree she got from the Internet for $800 & have Bert Bryan shoot her in the back with another unlicensed firearm!

I just skimmed the article so maybe I'm missing something here but I didn't see any race-based considerations. I agree it's restrictive and could exclude many talented motivated people who may want to help the citizens of USVI but I didn't see any race-based connotations. I've met white, black, and hispanic people who were born on this island and all of them would be eligible to serve as if I read the article right no?

Good,
I was referring to the entire proposed constitution, not just the part that includes the convention reserves top elected offices for native Virgin Islanders.
I also thought that is what the other posters meant as well.
I`m sorry if I took the posts the wrong way if that was the case.
Though, it doesn`t seem fair (or legal) that you would have to be boorne heah either!

I was wondering do states actually have a separate constitution? I have forgotten my civics. I realize that states have a set of laws which define how they operate which when put together could be called a constitution. But if there are state constitutions that define the rights of US citizens, and actions, that are different than those defined in for the US constitution how do they position these?

I look at the VI constitution and am confused as to what it is trying to do. To be a member of a elected position in most stated you need to be a resident only. The definition of residence my change from state to state, but it says resident. So given that if one is a resident of the VI can he or she hold an elected office regardless of their birth place? Or are we trying to separate some defined special group of people from the rest of the people who are residents? Do these special people have knowledge that others don't? Do they care about the islands in a different way that others do not? Or do they have a crystal ball and can see into the future better than others?

Again, I am confused. Remember that there are about 110,000 people in the VI. Giant stadium holds about 55,000! So we could put all of the VI residents into two sittings in the stadium. It amazes me that for 110000 people we can't seem to get our collective act together. There are fewer people here than in most moderate towns in the main land.

I realize that this a a separate, and unique, part of the US. But it is a part of the us.

Can aany one help me walk through this? I care about the islands. I care about how the government runs. I care about the people here.

Help me out!!!

You can read the transcripts http://www.viconstitution.com/ Click on committees, then read on.
Regarding the content, you have been warned.
Some is interesting reading such as Bert Bryan`s concept of real estate & how the virgin islander who sold it 50 years ago children are affected today.
Such as (quoted from Bert Byan APRIL 11TH, 2008)
"there was other people
talking about land that they owned that rightfully sold
because of the finances of the family to educate their
children. Now, those children who are educated can't
even come back to buy a piece of land in their great
grandfather and grandmother's properties. That is
ridiculous."

I own property here, perhaps I should "give" it to some Virgin Islander that educated him/herself in the states...I think you get the concept!

I just skimmed the article so maybe I'm missing something here but I didn't see any race-based considerations. I agree it's restrictive and could exclude many talented motivated people who may want to help the citizens of USVI but I didn't see any race-based connotations. I've met white, black, and hispanic people who were born on this island and all of them would be eligible to serve as if I read the article right no?

To me this isn't about race, but about fairness and inclusiveness. The whole "native virgin islander" concept is wrong and outdated. If that concept were followed in the states then foreign born governors could never have served. That means over 100 different governors. congressmen and senators. People like Madelaine Albright, Arnold Schwarzenegger, even John McCain would have been outlawed if the need to be born on "native" soil were required.

It is time for the constitutional convention delegates to write a fair and inclusive document. We actually don't really need a new document and can exist under the Organic Act. I will be voting NO !!

Every one of the 50 states has its own constitution. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_constitution_(United_States)

Yes every state has "their own" Constitution,but NONE are this arrogant & dividing!!!
I hope ours goes down in flames from which it spawn! :X

I think some might fear that if it passes with the "Native VI" term, it could be a short time before other benefits are bestowed upon them. Such as no taxes and other special privileges.

It the final product is as inept as the last version no worries about it passing. As an aside, Hawaii worked on a constitution for years before they smartened up and took out all the native stuff. They did go back and through law gave privileges to "natives".
The citizens have to approve, then the legislature,then the US Congress so any cray stuff won't fly. Guam couldn't do it so they still operate under their Organic act. And what's wrong with that. Any kind of independence here would be shooting ourselves in the foot.

the native stuff to me is the racist part of the whole thing,it all smacks of "payback" and is discriminatory towards downislanders and puerto ricans,arabs,indians,chinese and everyother racial group here

AMEN TRW!!!!!!!!

It is important that we all continue to discuss the 5th Constitutional Convention and communicate with the delegates as well as attend sessions that are important to us. This document will only pass if the people at large permit same. I keep this point at the top of my mind, and when the time comes I will weigh in with my vote.