Dear Sir,

I am considering going abroad but my first reason is not financial. However, finance is a big consideration.

I have never lived extravagantly, have grown my own food for years, and have been careful to live frugally. I have been concerned for years about how people, especially those who don’t own their home, will manage after retirement with the cost of living in Bermuda as it is and getting higher.

The food costs are unreal and healthcare is horrendous. I remember reading a column while I was still working that recommended having more than $395,000 saved at the time of retirement. My thought was: “Who are you writing to?” Not me. Not the average working person.

I immediately dismissed it, knowing it may be correct but also that I could not save that much on my income. I have a master’s degree and chose to teach people how to grow food because I felt it is much needed for health and for our continuity.

We need to address some fundamentals such as food security. Each person has the right to food, shelter and an appropriate education.

Look at our education here — one sector attending private schools and another attending public schools.

The composition of each reflects how the stratification of society will be in the future. Don’t expect anything else. I am beginning to think that private schools should be banned. We need some fearless leaders whose heart is with the wellbeing of its Bermudian population.

We are seeing an exodus on both ends. Is this what this government wants? What is our vision for our people and country?

If we want healthy families, what are we willing to do to get that? We have to choose it every moment; not just individuals but also governments.

We need to take care of our elders. How is that best done? By creating a culture that supports elders being taken care of by their families. We cannot do that if all our time is taken up with work and we cannot do it if our focus is entirely on maintaining an economy that looks after others before looking after our own.

FRANCES EDDY