September 20, 2012Dear Sir,I find it disheartening to read the daily and discover what amounts to the Opposition’s endorsement for socially irresponsible behaviour by some Bermudians. Young mothers leaving the Island in search of better support services is less a statement about the healthcare and housing issues facing Bermudians and more about continued abdication of socially responsible behaviour and civic engagement. I find it deplorable that some Bermudians appear to see it as his/her right to move to another country and benefit from a social system that he/she has not contributed to financially. I find equally concerning that this socially irresponsible behaviour has now become part of pre-election rhetoric, in particular from an entity that suggests educating the populace on their civic rights and responsibilities as part of their platform. As a people living in a democratic society, we have a responsibility to understand government systems. So I implore both sides of the House to encourage critical thinking in our citizens. If the future of Bermuda is truly at the heart of either side’s leadership bid, this starts with fact-based discussion versus emotional stirring of the proverbial pot. Can we consider the following:1. Bermuda’s current taxation structure does not qualify as a social system, and therefore cannot currently support the national healthcare system and other social benefits offered in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.2. Bermuda post-1998 has offered increased social programming with respect to healthcare, childcare, underemployment and low cost housing initiatives within the limits of the current government’s financial strictures.It is my limited understanding that government’s current revenue structure means they had two concrete options when implementing a certain level of social programming to meet the people’s stated needs: a) increased taxation or b) increased borrowing.The amount of discussion focused on the increased borrowing post-1998 makes it clear which option government has selected and, as a people, we can no longer abdicate responsibility for the role we played in this process. Did you ask questions when low cost housing initiatives were announced? Did you question when childcare benefit initiatives were put on the table? Did you question how government was going to pay for free transportation initiatives? Silence is endorsement. Those who benefited celebrated and then most of us complained when presented with the reality of growing debt and the implications for other resources impacted by the government’s purse.Here’s another tidbit to consider — residents of the UK pay significantly higher taxes to cover the costs of their social system, something we as a people begged our government not to do. Furthermore, residents of the UK pay out of pocket should they decide to engage the services of private medical care on top of the taxes already paid to fund the national healthcare system. To seek to benefit from this without contributing is morally reprehensible. As we head in to an election I’m asking you to think. To understand that what you ask for has implications for all residents of this Island. To understand that the Government purse is finite regardless of revenue streams and to understand that ultimately, in a democratic society, it is not “Government debt”, it is the people’s debt. With that said, the people, not just elected officials, have a responsibility to understand the processes and implications of decisions. So as politicians come knocking at your door from both sides of the house seeking your support, ask some real questions that get below the surface gloss and get to the heart of the future of Bermuda. Please go beyond the implications for you as an individual.BERMUDA FIRSTWarwick