Bermudians are becoming deeply concerned by the relentless bickering in the political arena.

The squabbles are about who knows best in getting Bermuda back to a positive course that truly reflects the values that have made the Island extra special.

There was a time when Bermudians proudly boasted about having unlocked doors and windows, without fear of invasion of their privacy.

One ingredient that most families had back then was a commitment to basic values, and discipline was such in those days, that the price for stepping out of line at home carried a serious penalty that was not easy to forget.

Out of that era emerged many successful men and women, who contributed much to our development as a business and tourist resort.

While some can only wonder at the change in culture, and the continued spectre of gun violence that hangs over our heads like a dark cloud, perhaps much of what we have today is a result of dropping the ball when it comes to that discipline.

Yes, there are still families that cling to those old fashioned values, but sadly others have thrown their hands in the air with that, “I don’t know what is wrong with children today,” attitude.

Making things worse is that in these tough economic times parents are struggling to keep young minds on the right track. It is a troubling element for Bermuda, and no group alone is capable of reversing this trend. It is a community problem, that requires a community if it is to be solved.

It took a great community effort to make our impressive new hospital wing become a reality. Somewhere in that venture is a lesson in why cooperation is so vital, no matter how difficult the challenges we face might be.

There are plans for a new airport which could only be a plus for tourism and Bermuda. Also with the groundbreaking at Ariel Sands the future for continued growth is very encouraging.

However, it is one thing to install a shiny front door, but another in making certain conditions within the house are also at an equally high standard.

We have serious problems that require much more than political posturing, if we expect progress. Everyone knows the economy is not on solid ground, and the job situation is an issue that is not going away soon. Violent crime meanwhile continues to shatter community life.

These problems bother most Bermudians on a day-to-day basis. We have youngsters in schools with dreams of success, and teachers trying to equip them with the tools needed to reach their goals. However, it is also a reality that some children attend school without proper lunch kits, while others leave home without breakfast.

Although that might not sound like the Bermuda we care to project, the mere fact that a young mind could be lost, due to a lack of proper attention during the early stages, should never be taken lightly. A poisoned mind is not easily turned around and left untreated, holds the potential to become a threat to our peace and security.

We need to steady our Island ship, with cooperation that overrides a political divisiveness, that is operating on a scale never seen before, if we wish to tackle major problems with our best resources.

We have the tools, but need to use them collectively, for the sole purpose of building a Bermuda everyone can be proud of.

That can only be achieved by action, not words.