Special Editorial
You Never Know Who is Watching
These days, it appears that the whole worldmust be watching the Cayman Islands. This is obvious given thetremendous amount of correspondence Cayman Net News has receivedover the past few weeks in connection with te current political,economic and social state of affairs of our beloved Isles Cayman.
Recently, there has been a noticeable increaseof heart rendering concerns shared with us through letters, occassionaltelephone calls and even personal encounters.
The fact that we are chosen so often byreaders to 'listen' to their pleas, keeps us in touch with widecross section of the community, who feel that the cause of theirworries will get an attentive air, and those who are in authoritywill make an effort to ease the pain they live with because ofuncertainty for themselv es, and in so many case theie children.
Because of our determined mission to removethe fear of officialdom and perceived intimidation in our society,we still receive quite a number of unsigned letters, which donot make it into our columns because of our policy of not publishingletters signed "name withheld" and "concerned".
Yet, occassionaly there are a number ofthese letters, which tugs at our hearts - particularly when theauthor makes a tremendous amount of sense and we can relate tothe fruistration they must feel.
One such letter which came to hand recently,deals with the continuing anxiety of security of tenure for livingin the Cayman Islands, because of a family's desire to do so,because it is the only home known to the children of non-Caymanianswho were born here. This anonymous correspondence, along withan unusual increase of such was promted with our recent headlineentitled: "6000 More Caymanians".
It appears that this particular issue, atthis time when parents are deciding what to do with their kidsas school closings near and unemployment remains stubbornly high,causing many expatriates who made their homes here a decade ormore ago, to be live in uncertainty if their next work permitapplication will be granted.
Because of the significance of this particularletter, we believe that it should be shared with the widest possibleaudience in an editorial format, and have requested from the writerpermission to reproduce same below in its entirety, preferringnot to extrapolate the sincerity of the letter's contents.
"
Dear Sir
I refer to you article entitled 6000more Caymanians.
I am one of the thousands that have beenresident here for 16 years. I do not wish to have this letterpublished or wish to provide my name for obvious reasons, so Iwould ask you to take this at face value and provide it as feedback,rather than any wish to pursue something which is largely outof my control.
I agree wholeheartedly with most of yourcomments on this issue. I have raised children here, both of whichhave now left the island because it is not their home in the senseof immigration policy, but in the sense of human emotions it hasbeen their ONLY home.
They are continuing their education havinggraduated from private schooling here (the only schooling opento expatriate children), made friends of both Caymanian and foreignorigin.
It is far easier for me to accept thatI am a foreigner here than it is for them, and it is with themmy sympathy lies and with me the blame for their trauma. It isI that brought them here as mere babies, but I did not for oneminute expect to be here this long. I love living and workinghere as most expats do, but from year to year only. I understandthat, but my kids don't.
After so many years residing here, Itook the plunge of investing in a small property here, but withthe thought, that next year I may not be here so I proceed withcaution, I stay out of politics, involve myself in my work andcommunity, and for the large part seek a quiet life.
While I achieve this I am always consciousof my future and attempt to build 'wealth' for use in my homelandor another country where immigration rules are simpler and fairer.Indeed it is entirely possible to obtain permanent residency inother countries before you arrive there based on skill demandalone.
I feel the need to clarify that withthewords 'skill demand' as it is common in manycountries that ifyou have vast amounts of money to deposit, permanent residencycan be for all intents and purposes 'bought'. My point being thatall expatriates here live in an 'artificial' environment and simplymust base their future on returning to their homeland or elsewhereand take with them the earnings they have made, which does notcontribute to the economy here.
For example, I would take on a much biggerloan than I currently have to invest in a small house with a yardrather than my pokey two bedroom apartment if I had security oftenure. In fact most of the money I have saved would be put touse to service loans and make purchases right here in Cayman.
Sadly it is often the expatriates themselvesthat are blamed for this, but can they be blamed? Every singleexpatriate comes here on a valid work permit, and so by definitionthere is a need for them. If we look at things in the real sensethere will never be enough Caymanians to fill every position unlessmore Caymanians are created!
So I would largely agree that those thathave been here 10, 12, 15 20 years that have not been replacedby Caymanians will never be, we are chasing a negative exponentialgrowth in the area of Caymanians. That is an undisputed fact thatcan be borne out by the census. Yet, I understand that insteadof recognition of this, immigration now has a new policy to denypermit re-issue for long term residents in order to break continuity.
If my information is correct, immigrationnow has a directive to send long term residents home for six monthsto break continuity and so disqualify them for any chance of permanentresidency should a policy come into effect, that perhaps is tobe driven by the European human rights issue?
Maybe those comments would not be receivedwell, by the Immigration Board, but I would certainly like toknow if it is true. In the meantime I will continue to funnelmy earnings to my home country in preparation of re-settlement,and that is because I am at least guaranteed that much.
Unsigned
Editor's Note:
The Writer of the preceeding letter responded, following our request
"I wish you (the Editor, Cayman NetNews) well, and while you may feel you are the 'lone ranger' asyou put it, I am certain that there is a 'silent majority' notunlike me that support you. Perhaps through your editorials onthis subject, you might well be the catalyst in stirring the 'right'emotions.
'If you understand or if you don't
If you believe or if you doubt
There's a universal justice
And the eyes of truth
Are always watching you'
Cross of Changes -
Micheal Cretu (Enigma)
May God guide us all"