OVER the past few weeks there has been some discussion about Government expenditure. For obvious reasons I cannot and will not say too much on the topic. However, since I have your attention at the outset, I'm going straight for the jugular on this one. I will single out one purchase then ask a question.

I've heard some Bermuda residents express displeasure over the Premier purchasing a new BMW 7 series touring sedan, as his official vehicle. I have no problem with people asking why, how, where, when, who, what, etc. This is fine. However, I have to ask why nobody asked those same questions when the Governor purchased the very same vehicle, some two years ago? The point I'm making is obvious. Nobody said a word when (then) Governor Vereker purchased a BMW 7 Series touring sedan, but oh do many of us have a problem with the current Premier purchasing one. More on this after the Top 20.

Up to number one is a former essential new banger, No Air, the new hit by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown. This week I heard a really cool remix. I don't actually like the song but this column is not just about what I like.

Tumbling to number two is a former essential new track, Lollipop by L'il Wayne featuring Static Major. On the slide at number three is The Way that I Love You by Ashanti.

In the number four spot this week is 4 Minutes by Madonna and Justin Timberlake. Up to number five is a former essential new track, Bust it Baby Part 2 by Plies featuring Ne-Yo.

On the way up at number six is Heaven Sent by Keyshia Cole. Slipping to number seven this week is the new one from Usher featuring Young Jeezy, entitled Love in This Club. Check out Love in This Club Part II featuring Beyonce.

Now some new tracks. Improving to number eight is Chris Brown's new single, Take You Down. Up to number nine an interesting track by an up-and-coming artist, I Luv Your Girl by The Dream. Improving to number 10 is a former essential new tune, Alicia Keys' Teenage Love Affair. Elevating down to number 11 is Touch My Body by Mariah Carey, which is hanging in the charts largely thanks to the banging dance mix.

Improving to number 12 it's A Milli by L'il Wayne and soaring to number 13 is Trey Songz new hit entitled Last Time.

Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna falls to number 14. There are several remixes on the circuit that are keeping this one in the mix and atop charts worldwide. However, I am totally feeling the Wide Boys Remix: it slams.

Now the soca section. Improving to number 15 is Love Is Wicked (soca remix) by Brick and Lace featuring Kess. Advancing to number 16 is another soca track, Defence (The Anthem) by Machel Montano featuring L'il Jon and Pitbull. Down to number 17 is The Boss by Rick Ross featuring T Pain.

And now, this week's must have new track. Entering this prestigious chart at number 18 is Take A Boy by one of the hottest pop divas around, Rihanna (pictured). The young Bajan sister is cute, she can sing and entertain. Do we require anything else?

New at number 19 is Put On by Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West. Kanye might be a bit of a diva boy but he has skills.

And now a house anthem. In at number 20 is Fall by Kimberley Locke. I hear this one on Cable TV's Channel 716, which I listen to whilst I'm working this very-soon-to-be 44-year-old body out at the gym, early in the mornings whilst most of Bermuda is still asleep.

Now back to this week's word ¿ Why? Why did nobody complain when His Excellency purchased a new car, with taxpayers' dollars? Why do we now complain when the current Premier did the same thing? I remember when Sir John Swan was Premier, he had the very first BMW 7 series. Nice car too!

To be fair, there was some initial public debate about whether Sir John should have bought that car, but it died fairly soon after. Hopefully this will too.

You can't have two sets of rules. If you're not going to complain or have an issue with the Governor buying a new car, you cannot then complain about the Premier purchasing the same car. There is no case to answer; you cannot justify this. If you take issue with both, no problem, but you cannot have two standards. One guy is the Queen's representative and the other is the leader of the country. Granted the Governor is higher in precedence than the other, but not by much, and the Premier is the leader of a country who is in my estimation worthy of a decent official vehicle.

Travel anywhere in the world, from developed to undeveloped countries and you will see leaders of countries driven (notice I did not say driving themselves!) by a diplomatic driver or chauffeur in a vehicle that is appropriate for their position/office.

The funny thing is that some of the people who have complained about this are originally from places where the leaders of their countries drive bigger and more expensive cars than the Governor and Premier drive in Bermuda. There again we see two sets of rules. How do you think George Bush rolls? Even Obama and John McCain, neither of whom is yet a leader of a country, travel in nice whips (that translates to cars for the uncool among us).

The same argument is true of the Independence debate. A successful Bermudian businessman, upon being asked by his American, Canadian and British colleagues why Bermuda should be Independent, responded with the following question, "Why would you deny me something that you and your countries of origin have already?"

Again, two sets of rules. It's all about perspective and it seems that the view is that its OK for people from somewhere else to be Independent, have the right of self-determination, but Bermuda and Bermudians do not deserve that right.

For all of the perceived and advertised cons of Independence, there is enormous value in making one's own decisions and charting one's own course, rather than having decisions made for you by somebody else, especially if that person or persons have no real vested interest in you, your people or your country.

Also, one has to ask the question that if many major decisions are made for Bermuda by Britain or by people from somewhere else, will these people ever really respect Bermuda and Bermudians?

I'm just asking the question. You provide the answer. I suspect that quietly, secretly, in private discussions, these people think we are rather foolish to not have the right of self-determination and Independence after all these years.

Peace ...