Sometimes I really am dumbfounded by the things that fall out of the mouths of our politicians and some of their faithful followers. Such was the case with Makai Dickerson this week in his defence of Progressive Labour Party leader Marc Bean.

Dickerson’s op-ed contains the following statement, which deserves most of our attention: “He speaks the plain truth as he sees it. To some, this is offensive. To some, their feelings get hurt. Yet, from where I sit, being offensive and sparing people’s feelings does nothing to create jobs, to help build wealth, to put structure in the community or to put food on people’s tables.”

Could Dickerson be any more wrong? Let’s start with some facts, shall we? On December 3, the PLP claimed that its Shadow Cabinet was being reduced in size to increase efficiency.

On December 20, it admitted to resignations from the Shadow Cabinet and went on to claim that they were triggered by a need to “serve Bermuda with clean hands, pure intentions and with humility”. In case Dickerson somehow missed it, the December 20 statement shows that the December 3 statement was deliberately false. Put simply, it was not the truth.

Here’s another example to consider. If you take a look at Bean’s betting business, you will find an online statement about the Powerball lottery, which reads: “Paradise Games Where Everybody is a Winner”.

Anyone who understands how gambling works knows that winnings are funded by those who lose their bets. A truthful statement would advise patrons that their odds of winning the Powerball grand prize is one in about 292 million. In other words, everybody doesn’t win. Quite the opposite: the overwhelming majority will lose.

But let’s not stop there because there are numerous other examples to draw from. Returning to politics, in three short years we have heard accusations of phone lines being tapped and hidden partnerships between the Government, the police, the judiciary, the Governor and the Foreign Office.

We have heard multiple accusations of drug dealing, bribery, adultery and (gasp) fornication. And let’s not forget the conspiracy theories around gentrification, economic suppression and a secret homosexual agenda intended to upend civilisation.

Yes, indeed, there is an incredibly long list of fascinating claims and accusations that have few supporting facts.

Most have no facts at all and appear to be the by-product of a very vivid imagination. Further, it would appear that anyone can become one of Bean’s targets. As was the case with Dunkley, Cannonier, Crockwell, Pettingill and Daniels, so has been the case with Lister, Horton and, now, Brown. But for Dickerson, facts have nothing to do with the truth.

Not only is Dickerson factually incorrect on matters of “truth”, he is also dangerously incorrect about the impact of toxic leadership on jobs, wealth and community stability. Bermuda has $2 billion of debt to pay off. Equally critical, we have nothing to export, so, like it or not, our economic survival is based upon our ability to do business with the global economy.

This simply cannot be achieved if Bermuda is perceived as being irrational, unstable, irresponsible, dishonest and disrespectful. We must be seen as a stable jurisdiction where integrity, consideration, diplomacy and respect are fundamental traits. Conspiracy theories and wild, malicious, unsubstantiated allegations are not keys to our survival — they are our death sentence.

Dickerson obviously doesn’t understand this. Clearly, he thinks that belief alone is adequate, but since when has that been the case? Just because one thinks the world is flat doesn’t make it so, no matter how strong the belief. At some point, facts must enter the discussion or else we can never know the difference between fiction and reality.

One thing is certain, though: delusions of grandeur do not provide jobs, pay bills or put food on the table.

All they do is inflate egos, provoke divisive conduct and block pathways to meaningful solutions. Hopefully, the majority of us appreciate that.

To contact Bryant Trew with your thoughts, e-mail bryanttrew@mac.com