Many people, including Sir John Swan, are saying that Bermuda needs a Casino. Well, I'm not so sure. I think people are dreaming if they think people will come here just because we have a Casino. I also think people are dreaming if they believe that it will cure all or many of Bermuda's economic woes. A Casino is not a panacea. More on this after the top 20.

Improving to #1 is Say Aah by Trey Songz featuring Fabolous. Slipping to #2 is It Kills Me by Melanie Fiona. Up to #3 is How Low by Ludacris. Climbing the ladder to #4 is Snoop Dogg's latest rap anthem, I Wanna Rock, one of the hottest rap tracks on the circuit.

Up to #5 is Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart by Alicia Keys, one of the most talented artists/ entertainers in the business. Up to #6 is Sex Therapy by Robin Thicke. Falling to #7 is I Invented Sex by Trey Songz featuring Drake.

Up to #8 is Why Don't You Love Me by Beyonce, yet another hit from the hottest R&B artist in the game. Falling to #9 is Empire State of Mind by Jay Z and Alicia Keys. Leaping to #10 is Hard by Rihanna, one of the most popular songs in the world. On the way up at #11 its Bedrock by Young Money featuring Lloyd.

Now some dance music. Up to #12 is Sexy Chick by David Guetta featuring Akon, a monster house jam.

Improving to #13 is On To The Next One by Jay Z and Swizz Beats. Up to #14 is She Wolf by Shakira, a kickin' dance track. Jumping to #15 is Tik Tok by Ke$ha, the new hot blonde bombshell. On the way up at #16 is We Are The World, by Artists for Haiti. Falling to #17 is Money To Blow by Birdman featuring L'il Wayne and Drake. Falling to #18 it's Baby By Me by 50 Cent featuring Ne-Yo. Tumbling to #19 its Bad Habits by Maxwell, a very smooth ballad. On the way out at #20 is Run This Town by Jay Z featuring Alisha Keys and Kanye West.

Now back to this week's word – the impact a Casino will have on Bermuda. Hoteliers think that a Casino will generate revenue to fund entertainment. Some say that it will generate tourists. People say whatever supports their position. Well, here is the real deal, the truth.

People will not come to Bermuda because we have a Casino. Let's be real, if people want a Casino, they're going to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. Bermuda will not be appealing because we have a Casino. It may give people something else to do whilst they are here but a Casino is not going to make people choose Bermuda over another competing destination.

Even if we stipulate that Bermudian residents cannot go; Bermudian residents will find a way to get into the casino. Bermudians are very resourceful people and I can guarantee you that if there is a casino on this rock, any Bermudian who wants to get in there will find a way to get in and be a part of that experience.

So, Sir John, whilst a very savvy businessman and a respected former Premier, is dreaming if he thinks that a casino is the panacea to Bermuda's problems! There could be another agenda or reason why he is so "gung ho" about a casino. I get the waterfront development concept but I don't see the return on investment.

We shouldn't spend $100 million developing the waterfront. What? With more borrowed money? The national debt is already too high! I can't in good conscience support increasing it further! So where does the revenue come back that will pay for the waterfront redevelopment? People walking down a boardwalk don't generate enough revenue to pay off $100 million! They just don't.

Even if you get stores and restaurants to set up shop on a new Hamilton Waterfront, I don't see where the revenue is coming from to make it sustainable. We have retail shops and restaurants shutting down with the same frequency that people change their underwear and now we are considering a casino and a massive waterfront redevelopment! Man, I should get into politics; I think I'm pretty logical. But then they say that once you become a politician you lose all logic and that power corrupts; so I better leave that alone! Just kidding; they're not all bad. But back to our doomed Casino concept.

In all reality, now is not the right time to redevelop the waterfront and its definitely not the right time to open a Casino. I suspect that the outcomes of a Casino will be that many Bermudians will gamble away their savings, earnings and money that could be used more wisely, like on their children's education. Most of us don't have the discipline to simply say, "OK, I'll spend $100 and when that's gone I'm done". Most of us will keep going and going until we are in serious debt.

Tourists will visit it but it will be tourists that were coming here anyway/already and who did not come just because we opened up a casino! Thus, there's no incremental business that can be attributed to the casino.

A better use of the funds and energy of Bermuda's brightest minds would be on:

¦ Upgrading the skills and work ethic of the Bermuda workforce

¦ Phasing out guest workers in areas where Bermudians are qualified

¦ Spreading the word to the Bermuda workforce about where the jobs are now and where they're likely to be in the next ten years

¦ Identifying and punishing companies/employers who break the Immigration rules

¦ Improving our public education system and adding good technical education in schools

¦ Creating the conditions such that Bermuda becomes a more attractive destination to set up and do business

¦ Giving our young people hope, causing them to buy-in and be interested in the future of Bermuda

¦ Discouraging criminals from engaging in crime, drugs and antisocial behaviour

¦ Getting our economy back on track

¦ Reducing Government spending and our national debt

¦ Teaching Bermudians how to start and run successful businesses

¦ Creating the conditions such that businesses can be more profitable

¦ Improving the moral fabric of the country

¦ Building stronger families, which will build a stronger Bermuda

That's what we should focus on. Peace …. DJLT.