World renowned author and inspirational pastor, Dr. Robert Schuller, from his pulpit overlooking the congregation at the Crystal Cathedral, eloquently characterised the commitment to service to the broader community by the majority of Jesus' disciples as a testament to "inexhaustible patience and complete commitment to task, in the face of adversity, not seen, in like measure, prior and rarely seen since".

Dr. Schuller went on to reconcile their contribution by drawing reference to the times in which they were living, their evident faith in the Master and their unobstructed mental focus steeped with perpetual optimism. In Dr. Schuller's own words: "The power of positive thinking."

Optimistic thinking has always been a staple of family advice designed to awaken the imagination of the younger ones, refocus the emotions of those easily mentally distracted or physically undisciplined and set all wrongs right by simply suggesting to an open listener, think positive.

This suggestion is the very mind over matter, gargantuan fabric of legends that propels common folk into superheroes, mere drawings on paper to world wonders and immeasurable risks into untold fortunes. This 'what if' mentality is the denominator and principle propellant of futuristic realism, the seeder of nationhood and the opening of portals into universal acceptance over and above the world we call are own.

It is the expectance of the unexpected. An adolescent, seemingly unrealistic, expectation driven by elevated, optimistic thinking executed in the hope of a positive, norm adjusting result. An unapologetic refusal to accept present convention matched with boldly reaching into the unknown and embracing the hope create the potential for success. Extracting the warm, inviting light of discovery, harnessing it and sharing it provide the kinetic thrust.

While Bermuda does not conjure up the visions comparative to ancient Greece, its mythical Gods and folklore, we have, first in the minority, then in the majority, in the last five decades, embarked on an epic, nation changing journey to encourage the wider Bermuda to accept all wrongs done in the past as wrong, capture and define the mythical power of positive thinking already present in us, and set a course described as a recognition of the social ills knowingly heaped on segments of our community, by the dominant collective of that era and our present obligation to right those wrongs and reverse the destructive trends.

This will require more than optimism and the train's 'I think I can, I think I can,' mentality. But it is a start. In the absence of an outright, open forum, in-your-face dialogue in the wider community on Bermuda's past and irrespective of exposed toes and soft feelings, we must insist on addressing it. The entire citizenry of these remarkable 20-plus miles must take a deep breath, immerse itself in honest, uninterrupted self analysis and genuinely seek the answers to the difficult questions that continue to divide us.

We together must avoid surface to surface insignificant banter and avoid kind, empty words or Ho Chi Minh pleasantries designed to end dialogue rather than encourage thought and expression. It will be hard, it will be a difficult pill to swallow but our country's economic, social, political and religious health depends on this collective commitment. We must be optimistic and conjure up strength, wisdom and a full awareness that we are going nowhere unless we are all in it together.

This forward together, positive thinking, work in progress reality has taken on a new meaning since the Progressive Labour Party came to power. Since gaining a majority in 1998, the PLP Government, in the spirit of positive thinking and optimism, embarked on a campaign to bring relief to its supporting majority while maintaining the economic blanket that keeps our corporate entities warm. A PLP Government has secured, retained and improved our quality of life here in Bermuda and shielded us from the fiscal pestilence that continued to plague so many of our western neighbours.

In the face of unparalleled challenges, some from Mother Nature, some man-made, the PLP Government have been quick to adjust, quick to rally support and more than willing to lead. Without skipping a beat, we have had to quick study Government 101, housekeep, identify potential streamlining and orchestrate relief to an underestimated, vulnerable part of our community makeup overlooked since the turn of the century.

This remains a challenge. In times past, in our community, we found it easy to accept that there was hardship in the presence of so much affluence because it was widely perceived as our collective lot in life. With the advent of opportunity, acquiring of property and relative wealth along with other significant confidence builders we became uncomfortable with the value and class structures of the day.

Now, we understand that the gap between those who prosper and those who just survive is widening in spite of the broad levels of affluence in our communities. The part of our community that needed relief knew they needed relief, but for whatever reason, did not have the will to ask for relief.

Our Government has optimistically launched initiatives to broaden economic prosperity, assisted, sustained and increased a middle and upper class earning potential while encouraging the middle and upper classes to extend a helping hand to those below in need.

If we, as a country, were all thinking, reading or singing off the same sheet, relief would be swift and we would be well on our way to a fast-tracked better Bermuda. Instead, we must continuously make the case throughout Bermuda and on the floor of the House, expand on every measure and painstakingly drag an Opposition along who continuously state they understand the needs the whole Bermuda but, with cunning regularity, display a nasty knack for preserving the wealthy minority's self interests, not withstanding the arguments to the contrary, and hastily sided with corporate Bermuda instead of taking the time to understand blue collar Bermuda on issues like overtime.

If I may, the Employment Act was seen by most as an olive branch and legitimate helping hand to that segment of the community who have borne and continue to bear the burden of over a century's worth of heavy lifting and, not only earned and earn the right to overtime, but deserved and deserve it. The bill could have been seen as a thank you for a job well done from conscientious legislators on the behalf of grateful employers' Island-wide who know the moral value but embraced the financial value. The overture was derailed. The bill was introduced and passed in the House and died a sudden death in the Senate.

Our Government, with anchored optimism, will continue to think positive, seek out the programmes and initiatives that best benefit the whole Bermuda and present and pass them on the floor of our honourable House.

While we seek to serve all the good people of this great country of ours, we would encourage the Opposition to experience life here in Bermuda up close and personal and not from the decks of the now decommissioned, Royal Yacht, Britannia.

@EDITRULE:

Scott Simmons is the public relations officer for the Progressive Labour Party