Happy Independence Day to our American cousins! Like it or not, Bermuda is something like and definitely not unlike a 51st state! We may be a British colony but our proximity to America has created the conditions such that when America sneezes, we catch a cold.

Our closeness to America is part of the reason that we have access to some of the best healthcare in the world. Numerous Bermuda residents fly out each month to the Lahey Clinic, Johns Hopkins or one of the other top medical centres in the US. This is part of the reason why the cost of healthcare in Bermuda has risen to drastic proportions and is projected to exceed $1 billion by 2017 – that's $1,000,000,000. This is unacceptable and must be controlled and reduced. More on this after the Top 20.

Up to #1 is My Chick Bad by Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj, which is improving every week. Tumbling to #2 is Neighbors Know My Name by Trey Songz. Rude Boy by Rihanna finally tumbles to #3. Over, by Drake, improves to #4. Drake was nominated for several awards at the recent BET Awards Show. He is definitely one of the best and brightest new artists on the circuit. Falling to #5 is Hard by Rihanna.

Up to #6 is Unthinkable by the irrepressible Alicia Keys. Up to #7 is Nothing On You BoB featuring Bruno Mars. Slipping to #8 is Hey Daddy, (Daddy's Home) by Usher featuring Plies.

Climbing to #9 is L'il Freak by Usher featuring Nicki Manj, a former essential new jam and a hot song. Tumbling to #10 is Everything To Me by Monica. Up to #11 is There Goes My Baby by Usher. This is a popular tune and several people are using it as a ring tone and slogans. Tumbling to #12 is Tik Tok by Ke$ha, a hottie on the circuit.

Climbing to #13 is I'm Not A Superstar by Remady, a banger which rocks in clubs, on radio and TV. Improving to #14 is Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz featuring Ludacris, a poppy cool, dancy, clubby summer hit. Falling to #15 is Say Something by Timbaland featuring Drake, a former essential new jam.

Up to #16 is OMG by Usher featuring Will.i.am. Improving to #17 is California Girls by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg, a bangin' pop club track about which you will be hearing more for the rest of the summer. Improving to #18 is last week's essential new hit: Commander, by Kelly Rowland featuring David Guetta. Slipping to #19 is Sexy Chick by David Guetta Featuring Akon. On the way out to make room for the next one at #20 is On To The Next One by Jay Z and Swizz Beats.

People should get fit, change their eating habits and choose healthier lifestyles. Now back to this week's word – the rising cost of healthcare in Bermuda and what to do about it.

For starters, people need to take better care of themselves, eat better and get fit. This will reduce the cost of healthcare.

What's ridiculous is the idea that people think it's OK to be unhealthy because we have access to good healthcare! This may be true, but if you're constantly in the hospital you are not having a high quality of life! Daaaah! So its one thing to live recklessly and have the system pay for your poor health and lifestyle decisions; and the other downside of this is that although you may continue living, you will be able to do fewer and fewer of the things that you like to do which give you joy, satisfaction and happiness.

Case in point. I went jogging on Wednesday morning of this week. I was thinking: "Damn, in four years I will be 50! I hope I can still run three or four miles when I'm 50!" If I can't run or work out when I'm 50, 60, or 70; my quality of life will be diminished significantly. What a horrible and sad existence I would have if I could not engage in any form of physical activity! The feeling you get from working out is just too great to give up; at any time. Surely there will come a day when I can't run, play squash, basketball, etc., but that day should be later rather than sooner. Like at 80 or 90, not 50 or 60.

My readers will know that I was recently in Switzerland. In ten days I never saw a single fat person. They have it right. They drink alcohol, but in moderation. They eat bread and sweet pastries, but in the mornings, in moderation and probably after walking or riding a pedal bike. I have yet to collect my own pedal bike but it's something I definitely plan to do sooner rather than later.

Then there's people who just go to the doctor when they just don't feel like going to work for a few days; to get a sick note. Nonsense! This too drives up the cost of healthcare you dummies! Every day that an employee is off sick costs the organisation money and ultimately increases the cost of healthcare. Many organisations, including the Government, suffer high costs in the number of sick days and time off that employees take.

At the end of the day this too contributes to the cost of healthcare. Then these same employees will wonder why companies can't pay them large raises! Well they can't justify or afford giving large pay increases to employees who are off sick often and who spend too much of their time looking for ways to beat the system or get whatever they can from the organisation, rather than doing their jobs to the best of their abilities.

These are some inherent things that drive up the cost of health care, which we can fix easily, if people are honest, look after themselves and adopt healthier lifestyles. Peace … DJLT