With all of the constant chatter about independence, it seems to me that too many Bermudians have taken their eye off the ball.

I recall several years ago that Bermuda was listed in the Guiness Book of Records as having the highest per capita income in the world.

Along with that goes one of the highest standards of living. I wish someone would explain to the Bermudian people how independence is going to improve on that. How is being an independent country going to improve the quality of life of the average Bermudian? The answer to that is that independence alone will not make things any better.

But, depending on the attitudes of a newly independent people, things could possibly get worse. If we get so independent that we think we don't need international business or tourists then things will certainly get much much worse.

So, before jumping blindly on the independence train, ask yourselves, and your leaders, what SPECIFICALLY is Independence going to do for ME. There is no honest answer that will convince you that it must be done. Thank you for your time.

JOE LINDO Wilmington, Delaware Service is terrible here January 28, 2001 Dear Sir, Tonight we watched the Baltimore Ravens destroy the New York Giants on Channel 37 because the picture on ZBM was so poor. People wonder why we shop in the USA and Canada. It's because service in Bermuda is terrible.

NEW BALTIMORE FAN Pembroke To rack and ruin January 29, 2001 Dear Sir, The listed house dilemma is back in the limelight. Owners seethe privately among themselves, reluctant to further depress values. How did the powers that be ever convince themselves that thinking people would happily go on investing new money in old houses that regulation and restriction have now deprived of a market? The net of this miscalculation will be plenty of nice old ruins.

OLD RUIN. City of Hamilton