What people are saying about yesterday’s vote in Parliament
The Boss, 12, the Godfather 8!
The battle ended 12 pro, 8 contra. The legislation to change the way hotels and other accommodations are licensed, was passed. We can rest now. For a while.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
Twenty Members of Parliament voted against All-Inclusive, and that is how we should see it. The people have spoken. Across the board. All except one, Andin Bikker, voted against All Inclusive. That’s 90% contra. The people of this island object to the introduction of All Inclusive Hotels. MEP says 32% is agreeable. AVP says 40%, but if AVP would say 32%, MEP would retort with 40%. It doesn’t matter, what matters is the principle that the members of parliament across the board rejected the All Inclusive concept, and we don’t really know where Andin Bikker stands. That said, 8 members of parliament rejected the MinTour’s initiative, not because it was bad, but because it would give him too much authority.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
I heard from an inside source that AHATA fought the battle so it could later prove in court that it did everything possible to prevent the law from being adopted. Monday morning this lawyer will meet that lawyer in court and continue to argue the case, whether the newly adopted law is binding/legal/constitutional or not. Andin Bikker, says not.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
The law needs to be ratified first, by the Governor. There is a possibility of course, that it won’t be ratified. But, if ratified, it will be tested by the hotels. At the first infringement on Free Trade it will be challenged in court. There are other scenarios as well.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
The hotels don’t stand a chance in court. A law is a law, unless you can prove damages. IF you were going to sell your hotel for X but because of the All Inclusive restrictions you only got Y. IF you prove damages, then perhaps you have a chance in court.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
The law has loopholes galore. The hotels can continue to sell All Inclusive groups to their heart’s content. There has never been a law written without loopholes.
WHAT I HEARD SAID:
This is not about All Inclusive. I told you already before, this is about the MinTour’s ambition to become MinPres, it’s about power and control. MEP would love to jink his plans, but he is out to prove that his influence runs far and deep. It is a power play. If I had to describe the MinTour to you, it would be a cross between Boochi Wever, Lily Beke and Tico Croes, and then some!
WHAT I AM SAYING:
I watched the vote on TV, it wasn’t very exciting, though some comments by members of parliament were interesting. Bottom line: Everyone voted according to party line, no surprises. That reminded me of an old concept, that of Realpolitik. Stay with me, don’t yawn. It means real, realistic, practical, and actual politics, in German. And it believes that politics and negotiations of policy are based on circumstances, not ideologies, or morals, or ethical assumptions. In realpolitik you go with the flow, you are pragmatic and you adjust your views to reach consensus. The term Realpolitik was coined in the 19th century, we need a bit of that here in Aruba, to bring all the factions together. It’s not about winning an argument, it’s about sigui traha y hiba e pais aki dilanti