February 5, 2012Dear Sir,In this election year, I am hoping that Bermudians use their right to vote to actually make a difference to this wonderful island we live on. There are a few ways to make a statement to the ruling class that does not compromise the belief system in which many of the populace have been raised; namely historical injustices that leave many unable or unwilling to vote for the (current) opposition. First; Don’t vote. This may seem counterproductive, however there are a large percentage of people who have been preached to about how “a vote for them is a vote against our people” and maybe this would be how to have themselves heard. Dissatisfaction with the choice available has got to be high. The current Government has proven inept and impotent against foreign and domestic influences on our social and financial economy. Twelve years of “I’ve got mines” from top to bottom and a revolving door of unsuitable Opposition leaders leaves us where? With no option, who provides something new, different and a voice for all Bermudians? This leads me onto point two which is:Vote for “Mickey Mouse”. If you don’t like candidate A and you don’t like candidate B, who do you vote for? In Bermuda there is no other option. If 10,000 people scratched their vote, this would send a message to those in charge that we have had enough politicking and posturing and we would like to see a change for good on our island. This may force both parties to work together for the common good because if the country is successful then the inhabitants would benefit. Actually this introduces a concept that I have been thinking about and discussed within my social circle. Why not change the system of government that we have in place? Have nine people in a special cabinet four from each party and a “President” as a complete independent, elected every two years as the deciding vote. This would force the two parties to coexist and work together rather than pointing fingers and dismissing ideas wholesale because of their source.My last thought would be to urge people to make sure that their voice is heard, be it within Progressive Labour Party caucuses or while these politicians are on the election trail. Ask them the difficult questions, don’t let them point fingers. Ask “what are you going to do about it?” and “why do you deserve my vote?”. I don’t want to be told that because of the colour of my skin I have to vote one way, I want to vote for the candidate who will do the most for Bermuda and my local community. We are all suffering but it didn’t have to be this bad. The same faces are around who led us into this dark place. One Bermuda Alliance/United Bermuda Party same face, different hat; PLP and their “we had to deceive you”, I personally have had enough.My pension is at risk, my generation and my (potential) children’s generation will be paying for the mistakes of the last decade. Those under 30 have a perfect opportunity. We were not around during segregation or the riots. We should not have the same prejudices that our ancestors hold/held. We are the ones who will suffer long after those in power have disappeared. As such, we should be the ones to make our voices heard and to make sure that there is still something for us to work with when it comes our time to take the reins. This is our last chance.LOOKING FORWARDWarwick