You, no doubt, will get other letters concerning the use of a wrong word on page four of today's issue. But just in case you don't, may I point out that in the boxed quote (in heavy type) it is claimed, "Independence is a tenant of its faith'' (A wedded tenant, no less!).

This in reference to the PLP. The correct word, of course is tenet, which means doctrine, principle, dogma.

PETER J. WILLCOCKS Smith's Parish Rethink independence December 14, 2000 Dear Sir, Okay, so the PLP wants independence. Do not deny it.

It is clearly on their agenda... but why? Please give us an answer, Madam Premier. Independence is not good for this country.

The one most important factor in this country's wealth -- that means your wealth... the value of your inflated property prices, homeowner, your above average wages and standard of living, the limitless selection of goods and services on the Island and your ability to travel.

The primary reason that Bermuda is a wealthy country may have once been tourism, but it is clearly now international business. Don't try to deny it, ... and business loves stability.

Let's look at the electoral seats and boundaries issue. What good could possibly come from reducing the number of MPs by half? The number of people involved in the political process is already quite small and reducing that number merely reduces the collectives intelligence of the government.

We know that Independence is something that the people are generally not sold on. What Jennifer Smith and the PLP want to do is? down the number of MPs in their own government to only those loyal to her.

I can hear the secret backroom planning: "We can't convince enough of our own people that independence is the right road... so let's reduce the number of MPs by half. Now we can get only those who want independence to represent our party.

Great, now if we just redraw the election boundaries to one-person one-vote, and play the race card the primary election issue, we should be able to add independence as an election platform or push it through later, and will not need a referendum to get it passed.'' Do you trust Jennifer with the deed to your home? This new Government needs a stabilising presence from the UK, or it will make changes so fast and create such instability as to chase Bermuda's wealth away.

Business loves stability, it is no secret. When the businesses leave, so does the cash flow, and so does the value of your real estate. Value is perception... nothing more.

Your little country will be perceived to be worthless when all international business runs away and local ones fail, and if history repeats itself as it has in the Caribbean as countries go "Labour'' and then go independent, business will leave... and not come back for a long time.

Let me tell you how it works. Wages and cost of living do not go down neatly as a reaction to that, people get laid off and local business fail. You think the crime rate has gone up recently?... I laugh. You should be scared stiff.

Do not be complacent.

Independence may seem like something you want as an individual, but not as the country of Bermuda. It has done nothing for the countries in the Caribbean but allow corruption and crime to destroy what was once economically sound and peaceful.

One thing we could be throwing away, for example, is the benefit of the expertise of our highest court, the Privy Council in the UK, as a final sensible arbiter of justice, and "hey... even though I have Baroness Scotland in my back pocket, she is just in my way anyhow.'' There are many benefits to sticking with the UK, but what is gained from independence? This Country need not explore solutions to racial problems through independence, since it is a completely separate issue and all that independence has proven to do in the past is stir racial tension. SCOTT Southampton He's a rhetorical Rambo December 8, 2000 Dear Sir, Senator Burch may lay claim towards being a parliamentarian, but I fear he'll never be a diplomat: it would appear that the two words are no longer anything like synonymous! `In the old days', it was sometimes quite enjoyable listening to the subtle attacks by one MP upon another, and the equally subtle ripostes, but it would appear that the rapier has been cast aside in favour of the bludgeon (or, possibly more appropriate in this case, the M-16.

I'm not too concerned about what Senator Burch says, or even the manner and tone in which he says it, but I am concerned that he is sending a message to Bermuda's youth that this is acceptable behaviour, and this worries me.

With so many youngsters these days "falling through the cracks'', I would have thought that people in the public eye, many of whom (whether they like it or not) are role models, would be extra careful to behave at all times in an irreproachable manner, but it seems that the message being broadcast these days is, "Do what I say, not what I do, because I'M a politician and can say and do whatever I like, so there.'' Another concern, following on from the one above, is that Senator Burch's political colleagues don't seem to object to what he's saying, or how he's saying it. Mind you, I suspect that many of them are quite happy to have Senator Burch "drawing enemy fire'', so that they themselves can get on with their own agendas comparatively undisturbed.

I would, however, like to hear something from Madam Premier (or, to be politically correct, should that be Ms Premier?) on the subject. Does she back Senator Burch? Does she wish he'd shut up and go away? Or, to paraphrase the Senator himself, does she "not care what we think''? I wonder which it is? DAVIE KERR St George's Senator's no democrat? December 15, 2000 Dear Sir, The good Senator who doesn't `care what we think' insists that Government is improving democracy! If we are supposed to be democratic it means that the government should govern under the following democratic principles.

Freedom of expression, which gives we, the people, the ability to select our leaders and influence the policies of government. Therefore public discussion and complete understanding of public issues are necessary and correct -- the paternalistic attitude that the "Government knows what we want'' is not a democratic principle. The Premier's attitude that a segment of society should "be seen and not heard'' is not democracy at work! Democracies have free elections, which gives us the chance to choose our leaders -- but it doesn't mean we should blindly follow -- we must have a voice and be heard! Majority rule and minority rights, which is another aspect of democracy at work. Democratic societies accept the rule of the majority voters but does not mean that the majority can do whatever it wants. The majority must always keep in mind the rights and freedoms of the minority. Our Government must assume their responsibility to the people and have a conference or referendum to hear ALL sides of the issues regarding changes to the Constitution to provide the best answers and not set a precedent of making changes without consultation.

Democratic systems provide for political parties -- rival parties make elections meaningful as they give us a choice of candidates who represent different points of view and philosophies. Well, we do have this but this Government says it is not interested in hearing differing points of view.

Democracy also has safeguards for division of power -- the checks and balances in place to prevent a government becoming too powerful. Too powerful like changing the Boundaries Commission powers, terms of reference and increasing the Premier's powers in this instance.

Most democratically run governments have a constitutional Government -- based on constitutional law which states the powers and duties of government and limits as to what the Government can do and most of these constitutions include a description of basic human right liberties -- like ours does, and forbids the government to violate those rights. A very important section. This Government thinks it's OK to just go in and amend anything they like! Unlike totalitarian governments democracies allow private individuals and private organisations to carry on business for the most part, free from government control.

A democratic government should play an active role in removing all inequalities and promote freedom for all people and give us the people, a sense of security that we know what's going on and that no surprises will be thrust on us.

This dictatorial type of leadership is not democracy at work! If Sen. Burch doesn't care what we think perhaps he should do some reading and maybe he will learn what other democratic countries think! KIM YOUNG JP MP Paget East