on the way to the future.'' Those are the words of the Hon. Cynthia McKinney, the new and first black US Congresswoman from Georgia.

They seem to us to sum-up exactly what is going on in Bermuda today. Attempts in Bermuda to be sure that "no one will be left behind on the way to the future'' are not and probably cannot always be successful but they are being worked on actively.

The most recent Tumim Report on the prisons is a case in point as it seeks to prevent the criminalisation of Bermuda's young people and to provide a less threatening society. People who are unnecessarily criminalised are, of course, in great danger of being left behind on the way to the future. We were alarmed late last week to see cash being used as an excuse to question some aspects of Judge Tumim's report. Surely those in authority must understand the basic that it is cheaper to deal in prevention than the staggering cost, socially and financially, of locking people away in prison. There are some things a country cannot afford not to do.

To stop Bermuda and Bermudians from falling behind in a tough world, the Premier's Commission on Competitiveness, which is unique in the world, is designed to guide Bermuda toward a successful future. If Bermuda is successful, then we have some real hope of ensuring that no one will go hungry and no one will be left behind. It seems to us that Bermuda has already managed to provide for its people much better than larger successful countries where there is hunger, poverty and deprivation "in the shadow of plenty'' even in the shadow of opulence. The pageantry and splendour of the US presidential inaugural is about to take place in a crime ridden capital city plagued by poverty.

The Premier also instituted a Task Force on Employment which is basically designed to ensure appropriate training and jobs for Bermudians in the future, to prevent them going hungry or being left behind. Coupled with the Commission on Competitiveness, the task force amounts to a future plan for the success of Bermuda and Bermudians. It is a huge task which very few governments even approach but it can be a model for other countries and a blueprint for plenty in Bermuda.

The Archibald reports on drugs and alcohol in Bermuda have not received sufficient backing but they lay the foundation for long term solutions if only the Interim Steering Committee on National Drug Strategy is allowed and encouraged to get on with business. The committee is willing but it needs general support and encouragement. Thus we are happy to see the Minister of Health and Social Services reaffirming Government support, including cash, for the drug strategy.

The new education plan, which we think has huge flaws, was nonetheless designed with the very best intent of stopping young people, especially young black men, falling through the cracks and being left behind on Bermuda's way to the future.

We think Bermuda has the right ideas. The concepts being created are valid and vital to the future of Bermuda. We think the Country is moving in exciting and correct directions but must move on the reports. Too often there is a temptation to take the ideas as solutions and not bother too much with implementing the necessary action.