What do I mean by it is time to do right for all?

Some of you have been following my writings and vocal exposition of my perspectives on the rights of all Virgin Islanders, not only a particular group but all residents of this territory. I am referring to health insurance and a pension plan to supplement Social Security for those who have worked and have contributed to our community.

At present there are debates in the U.S. Congress and throughout the country on the subject of health care reform that will cover the majority of the residents, if not all. Finally, it appears that under the presidency of Barack Obama we may see some form of health care reform, to include affordable insurance for all. Some versions of the proposed health care package include a mandatory clause.

It is time that our local representatives in government, namely the legislative and the executive branches of government, also discuss the issue.

It is time that our local representatives in government initiate local discussions on the national proposals for universal health care, since efforts are being made to include the territories of the United States in the proposed law.

Our politicians tend to cater primarily to government employees, but they are only a part of the population. Presently I do not believe they number as much as 20,000; the general population is stated to be about 120,000 territorywide.

Therefore, while it may appear that the government employees are a large voting bloc, the politicians should be attentive to the number of registered voters and apply basic arithmetic in their calculation. We are all Virgin Islands residents. Most of us pay our fair share of taxes above many others who claim more rights than others. We should be afforded the same opportunities as other sectors of the population, namely government employees, like what they receive through the V.I. Government Employees Retirement System.

I have in the past, and continue to recommend we devise a way to provide similar benefits to the rest of the population. Those benefits would improve the quality of life for a large number of residents who retire here.

Most employees in the private sector are employed by small businesses that cannot afford health insurance or a pension plan for their employees. The government should be like good parents who look out for all their children without discrimination.

As we grow old, as we survive the vicissitudes of life, we should be able to retire with dignity and independence. GERS could invest in a corporation that will provide similar benefits to all our residents who work in the private sector. Is that such a far-fetched concept to seek benefits for all?

Every one who works for a number of years should be able to retire with a reasonable and adequate pension that they have contributed in.

- J.J. Estemac lives on St. Thomas.