Taxation without representation! The British are overlords of Caribbean island, Turks and Caicos

There are more heartbreaking stories from the Caribbean island of Turks and Caicos concerning so-called "squatters" forcibly removed from their homes by the British interim government.

These are people who have (unwittingly) built their homes on what the British say is Crown land. I sat shaking my head as I read the accounts of now homeless families that had sunk their life savings into building homes that are purported to be on Crown land. Their homes have all been demolished. One account of a worker suggesting he had orders to take their lives if they didn't comply, was alarming. There was nowhere for these people to go. The British did not care.

The British also failed to make important resort developments whole by declaring their land bonafide transfers causing resort developments to collapse.

The British announced an increase of 1% tax on hospitality, as if the tourism industry needed that blow on top of everything else.

The British then announced revocation of many islander benefits whereby subjecting islanders to the high cost of living from living in a resort community.

The British announced a mandatory health care tax on all citizens. The British government has announced police force for those who do not comply.

The British announced an amendment to the financial banking sector of Turks and Caicos, thereby damaging that resource of the economy.

The British took the autonomous constitution from the people and declared an abolishment of "the citizens' right to a jury trial" for the entire population of the islands. Not just those accused of corruption, but all people. This is almost unprecedented for the British, even in Northern Ireland this didn't happen. Their reason is that the citizens of Turks and Caicos are all corruptible.

The police are now angry for UK's failure to give them certainty about their jobs and their duties as law enforcement personnel with the new government.

Important record keepers and island officials have been dismissed from their jobs or forced out. New pink faces replace the distinguished islander law makers of yesterday.

Important resort developments have collapsed, causing a loss of jobs and tourism revenue.

Secret meetings are being conducted by the British government excluding island government personnel.

Turks and Caicos is being run as a dictatorship; Gordon Wetherell is making all decisions solely.

The former Premier Williams and new opposition party leader Doug Parnell both oppose the British direct rule and its poor governance of the islands.

International blocs, The United Nations, Caricom and European Union have all condemned this hostile take over of the islands and have called it illegal.

But wait! I also read an opinion from a chap called Carlos Simons published in the Turks and Caicos Sun Times, albeit buried a bit. Here is his opinion boiled down after you edit the verbose subtext:

1. Dissenters are causing further turmoil at a time when islanders need to be moving on in this tough economy.
2. Dissenters are peddling dangerous myths.
3. There has been no overthrow of the government or recolonisation.
4. There is no difference since the British took over governance.
5. The British are restoring good governance.

Mr. Simons, to your opinions as set forth in items 1 through 5, I refer you back to the facts above.

http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=542