Do the right thing

July 11, 2009

Dear Sir,

Dr. Brown must go.

So far, Dale Butler, in whom I have held great respect for most of my adult life, and that's a long time, has been joined by four more PLP politicians including two Ministers who have finally said enough is enough. However, to be truly meaningful the two ministers should also have resigned their portfolios. I know that the $160,000-odd a year of taxpayer's money that Dr. Brown uses to keep all his Ministers in line is an awful lot to give up, but I wonder if the respect of each Minister's electorate has any value to the PLP's neutered and in some cases overpaid, politicians. Only the next election will determine their political futures.

Although I agree with Ms. Cox that a change in leadership should follow the established rules and procedures I wish the PLP would get on with it so that the international community can see that most right thinking Bermudians only wish for stable Government that will provide a hand up for those in need, be they black or white, while not persecuting those who have gained some success and financial security through many years of hard work. I hope the balance of the PLP members and caucus will do the right thing over the summer recess and remove Dr. Brown, or provide him the opportunity to do at least one honourable thing during his Bermudian political career, and resign. I for one would not be sorry to see him depart these shores and return to the country where his form of political divisiveness was nurtured.

Although I would prefer to see the end of political parties in Bermuda, I again long for a PLP leader who has the confidence to walk our streets without a bodyguard in sight, who is willing to talk with his or her people face to face and one who will start the process of making this Government work within the financial restraints of the real Bermuda. I wish for a Government that will eliminate the many unnecessary costs that have probably made our Government one if not the most expensive per-capita government in the world.

In recent years the Government debt has ballooned to almost $700 million that we know about. That is at least $11,000 for every one of us, man, woman and child, plus high interest payments every single year. Where is this money to come from now that international business has been shaken and tourism is in deep trouble?

We have already committed unbelievable levels of Government debt onto the next several generations of Bermudians and this Government now needs to do something to reduce its debt meaningfully.

INCLUSIVE

Pembroke