Reasons to go it alone

Dear Sir,

Let me state at the outset that I am enthusiastically and unreservedly pro-Independence. However, I have concerns. My concerns are not related to whether of not we should seek Independence but rather with some of the comments being made which, in my view, have very little basis in fact.

Simply stated the views that concern me are the following:

Firstly, Independence must be voted on by a referendum;

Secondly, Independence will bring harmony between the races;

And, finally, Bermuda should not seek Independence because it has no exports.

First and foremost is the view that the citizens of a country seeking Independence should make that decision by means of a referendum. While the vote for or against Independence can certainly be carried out through a referendum, I believe that this would be a mistake in Bermuda's case.

Decisions by referendum work best when the issue to be decided is simple and can adequately be answered by a simple yes of no. Such issues might be, “Should stores open on Sundays?” or “Should we ban smoking in all public places?” However, a decision on whether or not Bermuda should seek Independence involves a complex set of issues that, in my view, must be decided by a General Election. Independence involves a major revision of the Constitution to accommodate the transfer of power from England to Bermuda. Involved are the reorganisation of the security services, the judiciary, and the police. Also of significance will be the creation of a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The public must be made aware of the probable impact of these changes on their lifestyles, security and ability to earn a living. These are not issues that can be resolved by a referendum.

Secondly, there is the overly optimistic view that “Independence will bring harmony between the races”. History simply does not support this view. Former British colonies that have entered into Independence with large minorities, often lapse into a series of destabilising confrontations. One need only recall the continuing confrontations between Canadians of English and French descent. Then there is the serious conflict that exists between Guyanese of African and Indian descent. Clearly, if harmonious relationships do not exist between antagonistic groups before Independence, evidence abounds that it is very difficult to secure such harmony after Independence.

The basis of the argument that Bermuda should not become Independent because it has no exports simply eludes me. I suppose that those who voice this argument are referring to exports of goods and not services. In other words, they would be happier about Bermuda becoming independent, if we were still exporting onions and lilies to America. However, the truth of the matter is we do have exports. In fact, I believe that Bermuda has a much larger proportion of its economy based on international trade than any other country in the world. We export financial and tourist services. Furthermore, we are sufficiently successful in the export of these services that we can pay in hard currency for goods that form the basis of our very high standard of living.

Will Independence cause a loss of these very successful industries? Not unless we have political instability or increased criminal activity. If either of these situations develops, Bermuda will cease to be an attractive place to visit or to conduct global business. Such being the case, I am sure I will meet with no disagreement when I state that such a state of affairs would reduce Bermuda to a status lower than third world.

Clearly, to the extent that we strive for excellence in the pursuit of education and training of our young and mutual respect and trust, Independence will truly enhance our political, economic and social development. However, it is equally true that failure to pursue these worthy goals will severely curtail our development, whether we seek Independence or not.

CALVIN SMITH

Pembroke

Invest in our children

March 11, 2004

Dear Sir,

I would like the opportunity to respond to the increased crime I have been hearing and reading about concerning our beautiful Island home.

I believe the blame rests clearly on the shoulders of the Bermuda Government. The young people in Bermuda are not provided with any incentives to further their education and become more productive citizens. There should be programmes in place to encourage and support our youngsters financially with furthering their studies.

Instead, parents are required to pay for at least two years of college education before their children can receive any funds from Government. In addition, when they do receive funding from Government it is barely enough to carry them through for part of a year much less a whole year of study.

In other countries children are awarded all types of scholarships providing they do well in high school. In a country as wealthy as Bermuda where money is readily found for other less important things, there should be more money for education. Our youngsters are therefore left with no hope of improving their lives and turn to other negative activities. Their minds are not developed and they have low self-esteem. They become frustrated and resort to violence and other criminal activities. They sometimes engage in drug usage just to be accepted or as a means of making easy money.

Everyone knows that an educated society results in a more productive, well adjusted, safe society for everyone. Enough is enough, it is time to look at the whole picture and reassess the plan currently in place that only benefits a select few. Those that felt threatened by more and more educated Bermudians are hopefully laid to rest. The Bermuda Government needs to look carefully at the cost of a college education and offer funds to Bermudians who graduate from high school. They need to have programs in high schools that will encourage students to want to further their education. There are many parents who want this for their children but who cannot afford to pay for two years of college tuition, especially if they have more than one child to educate.

Wake up Bermuda! Take care of your people before it affects everyone and destroys the whole Island!

CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

A game of high stakes

March 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

Last December I was home, visiting my family and friends. I heard our Minister of Tourism, suggest that maybe Bermuda should legalise gambling to bring more tourists to the Island.

Needless to say I was horrified. I usually think things though before responding. She said that this would be a “dress-up affair”. I want to say that you can dress up any gangster, put him or her on a plane to Bermuda.

When we were growing up, our family was very close to someone that gambled. For sure the children suffer. For sure Bermudians will be gambling as well. Most definitely foreigners and Bermudians will becoming addicts to this awful thing. Like drugs.

My questions are, is our Government prepared to look after financially the children who will not on many occasions have food or clothing? We may never know about the children abroad, whose parents wasted the money on beautiful Bermuda gambling.

Also, we could be receiving the worst of the worst of gamblers. What happens when they lose?

What will Bermuda do when murders increase?

What happens when these beloved tourist win all the time, will they be allowed to take all of their winnings out of Bermuda? I did not meet one person while on my last visit who agreed to gambling being legalised in Bermuda to increase tourism.

Bermuda has been blessed and is still being blessed, please keep gambling out. There are many things that could be incorporated to increase tourism, have competitions for teens, think-up amusements for families, couples, and singles. Come on think, and keep Bermuda beautiful.

SHEILA WARREN

Toronto, Ontario

I can see right through it

March 16, 2004

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the flurry of letters in your newspaper this morning concerning the issue of the PLP's thrust towards Independence. From these letters one definitely gets the impression this is now, and will be in the near future a hotly disputed issue amongst a wide cross section of the Island's local population. As right it should be. What I do find somewhat amusing is that for the first time we are seeing a PLP which is actually displaying considerable transparency. There has been so much moaning and groaning about their not being transparent enough, and now here we are, as transparent as you like. Of course we pull out the old Independence banner and wave it for all the grass roots PLP supporters to see. What better way to whip up the fever of the masses and take their minds off all those pressing issues which this party has not addressed adequately. Issues like housing, the Housing Corporation scandal, the fiasco of the new Berkeley Institute, that $700,000 which vaporised after being handed over to the construction company for the Berkeley project (wasn't it for paying an insurance premium or something?). Issues like near insanity on our roads, a lack of civil safety such as Bermuda has never experienced in its entire history. A tourism industry... well heh! What tourism industry?

George Dubbya pulled a little war with Iraq out of the hat to take the American public's attention away from the fact that their economy was going down the toilet. Of course, why shouldn't the PLP have a go at a similar stunt with the old Independence shot? Any self respecting spin doctor worth his salt would have come up with that one right off the bat. Come on people, at least their making an attempt at being transparent. Lets give them credit for that.

Little scenario here on the subject of Independence. How'd you like to be in one of those Arab countries where you are guilty when arrested and have to prove yourself innocent. Oh sure, stuff like that happens. What do you do? Pull out your little red Bermuda passport and hope that the menacing mulla about to order you hand chopped off knows where the great Nation called Bermuda is, and makes a call to Premier Scott to ask if you are one of his citizens?

Right. Good luck ‘n all.

JACK GAUNTLETT

Sandys

Moving forward

March 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

Your, correspondent RK of Pembroke (Asking the experts March 8, 2004, published March 16) needs to know that The Church of England in Bermuda Act, 1975, was a significant event in the history of the Church and generally as, from the passage of that Act, the Church became disestablished and became the Anglican Church of Bermuda. The Anglican Church has made a great effort in recent years truly to be an inclusive and forward looking church which reaches out in an ecumenical way with love for all people. During Lent the Churches in Warwick of every denomination have been sharing their churches and pulpits. This is a great joy. Lets keep moving forward!

DJA

Warwick Parish