This article attempts to caption and commit to writing the mindset paradigms of some of our young Bermudians. Its purpose is that of a reasonable request for our leaders to take responsibility. Further, it should serve as a reminder of the opportunities with which we are presented, and a warning not to be lulled into any false sense of security that may occasion the belief that Bermuda is the only option available for us. Lastly, it should come as reassurance that we still care enough about our home to express our reservations openly.Premier Paula Cox’s recent address before the country highlighted centerpiece issues in which the country is facing. Progress reports are needed as a form of keeping the country abreast of the developments of the Government’s agenda. However, not all progress reports depict a clear picture of the Government’s intentions on dealing with the ‘now’, and that forms a part of the challenges and reservations that we have with the present Government.The recent murders in Bermuda have shifted Bermuda’s global image on unprecedented scales. It is evident that the police are putting forward a concerted effort as we can see the increased arrest numbers, higher police visibility and recent conviction rates. It is evident that the people care as members of our Island community have been voicing concerns and starting national dialogues expressing their revulsion and consternation at the past and recent tragic events and heightened crime plaguing our Island. But, one question remains: Where is our Government?Where are our officials elected into positions of trust so that when turmoil and turbulence rock our Island’s foundation there our leaders stand, prepared to tackle the problem(s) at the forefront head-on?Surely, part of the Government’s agenda must focus on the need to address the unemployed numbers and move from welfare to work-fair. We do not deny that we need to provide attention to our tourism market and ensure that we increase our air and sea arrivals to generate stronger revenue for the Island. We also acknowledge that there needs to be a consistent and strong relationship between Bermuda and international business leaders, ensuring that Bermuda remains at the forefront in the international market. However, we submit that focusing on those issues and neglecting to medicate the wounds at home will continue to threaten those other agenda items.Premier Cox’s Budget Statement entitled: “Resetting the Dial,” could not be more appropriately applicable than in times like these. Sometimes we have to alter our agenda by resetting the dial to address other fundamentally important issues before getting back on track and heading toward the destination anticipated in our journey. There is a certain vantage that comes from being away from home for an extended period. From that vantage, looking inwardly on Bermuda, we observe that as a country our ‘dial’ should be reset to taking care of home; rolling up our sleeves to tackle Bermuda’s gun crime and bringing our Island back to the family-oriented and values-driven community that we once knew. It is not impossible with a community as small a size as Bermuda. When we do this, we can ensure, that when international leaders examine the domestic landscape and image of Bermuda, they are guaranteed a high level of comfort in a jurisdiction that has been seen as a dynamic and sophisticated mini-metropolis that also stands as the World’s Risk Capital.Bermuda has the history and potential to exceed expectations and deliver on its undertakings, both domestically and internationally. However, we risk losing what we have already and could potentially gain if we do not prioritise our issues and address them accordingly. What can we lose? One of our most primary assets is our future. We have many university students abroad pursuing a variety of arts, sciences and technical programmes needed to penetrate Bermuda’s job markets and present opportunities for increased employment. However, the current mood shared by many overseas students is that: they are sceptical about returning to Bermuda, where guns are controlling our streets and employment is uncertain.We open our web browsers to The Royal Gazette every day and we see turbulence in our community and a Government that seems limited in their responses and solutions. So, we question ourselves: “Why return back to 21 miles of havoc and anarchy when we are swimming amongst possibilities and opportunities within our jurisdictions of study?”All this and more we afford losing if we fail to prioritise. The old adage: “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail” is alive and well.We cannot afford to fail our Island, our people or our future. We must conjure up ideas that will eradicate the issues that threaten the growth of our communities, both economically and socially. There must be new horizons set in order to effect positive change. What we act on today will echo in our future.It starts with home …