January 18, 2012Dear Sir,I am concerned about the Premier considering raising the duty rates on ocean freight, air freight and courier services. No matter what you do, you cannot force people to do what you want them to do.Our merchants never really had healthy competition on this Island, so they never really had to work to get their customers into their shops. Now, (in the Premier’s words), “Bermuda is in competition with the world”. Although this was directed towards International Business, it should pertain to all of Bermuda.I do shop locally if I am getting good service and good deals. But if I feel forced to shop only on the Island, well, Bermuda has become too materialistic and the Premier would just help cure me of this, as I will choose not to shop at all. It will be more harmful to take away our freedom of choice, especially when the choices here are very limited, notably in sizes offered.I think it is time for the merchants to start bending over backwards for their customers and not expecting the customers and Government to bend over backwards for them, when they are finally faced with competition.CURED SHOPAHOLICPembroke West