Elections are finally over in the Virgin Islands and some are thrilled and some are not. As usual i am not going to comment on the outcome.
Historically St. Croix has been through so many ups and downs that these cycles of boom and bust run their course no matter who is governing. “We have been fought over, colonized, bought, sold, captured, and recaptured. We have been possessed by aboriginal tribes, pirates, squatters, private owners, religious institutions and trading companies.” Florence Lewisohn
Profits have historically been drained off. At one time we were the richest sugar island in the Caribbean using slave labor almost exclusively. When the refinery was in operation some also thought they were slaves to corporate profit margins. Today we suck our teeth waiting for the next wave. To say that we will have ups and downs on island is about the only truth there is.
We have a messy combination of economic, psychological and political indicators that will make it pretty impossible to know how this will all end up. One area the new administration could focus on is understanding that our tax base has shrunk. We can no longer fund government departments based upon old revenue streams. That economic reality has passed and we need to focus on what we have not what we hope to have.
Ever the optimist i understand that St. Croix and her inhabitants will find a new niche and capitalize on it.
See ya next week
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