misapplication of a brilliant mind,'' and how "the greatest threat to freedom of speech is the abuse thereof.

"If every member of this chamber behaved as that honourable member does, this chamber would be reduced to a chatterbox irrelevance. We'd never get our work done.'' The issue in the election was not the economy, but race, which was "woven throughout the fabric of the PLP's electoral position,'' Dr. Stubbs said.

Racial divisiveness, physical overdevelopment, and the dysfunctional family and bad parenting were the greatest problems facing the country.

Unlike some countries, Bermuda had not introduced universal entitlement programmes. "We at least targeted the people who need it,'' he said. "You get a bigger bang for the public buck.'' Dr. Stubbs suggested Bermuda could provide a perfect, neutral centre for major conferences between the public and private sector of Western Europe and the United States.

He said Bermuda's educated populace would be prepared for intellectual tourists.

Regarding the threatened closure of the US Naval Air Station, Dr. Stubbs said: "I am virtually certain it won't happen if we make the proper approaches to the US Government.'' Geographically, he said, the airfield was too important for planes flying over Bermuda which prevented them having to carry too much fuel,in case of difficulties.

He said: "This is a money saving device, a competent airfield where wide-bodied planes, even the space Shuttle, can land.

Dr. Stubbs then went on to say that Parliaments that ran up massive national debts "should be taken out and whipped.'' Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward said that before the recession Bermuda had been hell bent on growth.

Mr. Hayward said: "With all this growth in the economy have Bermudians benefitted. People are less able to buy property, less secure in their homes, there is less harmony among their leaders, there have been increases in every aspect of physical violence.'' Per capita Bermuda has the highest consumption, energy level and highest density, according to Mr. Hayward.

He said: "the recession rather being a great leveller has been a great spreader as a result of all this growth in the economy.

'' He asked for a movement towards sustainable growth in Bermuda which has been impossible as far as fish are concerned, with 75 percent imported. Mr.

Hayward pointed out that people would have to change their attitudes and try to consume less.

Business and industry had been involved in economic policy making for quite some time, but the scientific and technological community needed to be involved more, as did artisans, fishermen, and farmers, Mr. Hayward said.

If Bermuda wanted an economy of sustainable development, without the pitfalls of rapid growth, the country had to find new ways of doing things.

Greater respect for one another would help the economy, Mr. Hayward said. He asked for specifics from Government to show Bermuda was doing better in the recession than any other country.

Stress was rising, and a study showed qualify of life was falling, particularly among the Island's blacks. "This growth we've experienced hasn't been all good,'' but it would have continued were it not for the recession.

"This community is bursting at the seams.'' "What an exaggeration, again,'' Dr. Saul interjected.

"This is an example of denial, again,'' Mr. Hayward said. "We need to change the way we operate. We cannot just continue growth and business as usual.''