I don’t know how many Caymanians are paying attention to the forums and debates going on concerning the rollover dilemma.
I would say pay attention and give your input. This letter is mainly to applaud Education Minister Alden McLaughlin and David Ritch for their firm stands taken on the rollover dilemma.
All Caymanians, whether you are pure bred, mix bred or paper bred should applaud Mr. Ritch for what I call words of comfort to the native population of this country.
Minister McLaughlin has to be a admired for his firm stand on the law; to see he did not back down, while he was under so much pressure from persons from almost every walk of life living on and off Cayman.
It is a great feeling to know we have men in this country like Minister McLaughlin and Mr. Ritch; men who will stand up and be counted and have the courage and strength to express that they are not concerned about being called callous or insensitive.
You know what I call these men? Heroes.
I had the opportunity to hear an English woman early one morning on BBC’s Caribbean News stressing that the rollover is bad and that it should be scrapped. She, however, continued to say it would affect her unless there was an exemption. It was a miserable conversation to listen to.
I do not know why everyone is holding on to Cayman Islands like a drowning man to a straw.
If we even wanted to, we could not allow the many persons who want to come here and do not want to leave.
Worst of all, they bring their bad habits with them, introduce them to our island and do not care two hoots how much it hurts us.
It is not fair that we are being pounced upon by expatriates because of decisions that are made to protect our children.
Why should outsiders continuously dictate to us?
In all my travels and living abroad I have never heard or read of any Caymanian getting on talk shows or writing in newspapers telling that country what they want.
Caymanians are tired of the dictatorship from outsiders.
We do have certain nationalities that make up half of the workforce and that is unfortunate because there are so many Caymanians that need jobs and are qualified for jobs.
When an expatriate gets into the system here they only look out for their friends and family from their country and do not want Caymanians to get any position that becomes available.
As Mr. Ritch says, it is an uncomfortable topic, which no one wants to talk about, but he is going to talk about it because someone has to.
As Caymanians, we also need to pay close attention to persons who have been given Caymanian status; some of these persons have lived among us for 40 to 50 years and are still sitting on the expatriate fence. They do not really care anything about Cayman and its people, rules or regulations. They are only in it for the money. Stand by Western Union, Quick Cash, Money Rapid, or any quick money transfer out of here on a Friday afternoon and see how much is being invested here.
Still these persons want to be granted Cayman status and permanent residence or just do not want to leave.
I call that wanting to go to Heaven but don’t want to die. Of course we will miss friends, helpers, gardeners and baby sitters, but remember nothing last forever.
The sooner we accept this the quicker we will understand and appreciate the rollover.
I remember clearly the day after Hurricane Ivan; I personally heard some expatriates rejoicing with these words of expression ‘Cayman mash up now, good for them I am so glad.
Do these expatriates think we will ever forget those words? No.
Those persons among others do not want to leave now. The rollover law is appreciated by 99 per cent of Caymanians and for the one per cent that is worrying about baby sitters and gardeners you need to worry if your children will get a job if we do not have this rollover in law.
It will benefit us in the end. In addition, it is not only one nationality that has practically invaded us overnight.
Caymanians watch what you are doing.
Support your country, and help your country folks, show love and kindness to your Caymanian fellowmen, because when it all said and done we will meet each other some place and sometime and will be able to say well done good and faithful servant
Twyla M. Vargas
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