May 21, 2007

WHEN we speak of power, we usually refer to one’s ability to influence or act in a capable manner. However, in referring to the establishment of the Economic Empowerment Zone for North Hamilton to specifically lift black people, Minister Wayne Perinchief, in giving his impassioned speech in the House of Assembly on the importance of changing the black philosophy that making money is wrong, claimed to recognise that “money brings power” and sarcastically stated that “money is the root of all evil”. This may explain why the Progressive Labour Party MPs sought the massive salary increases for themselves - to appear more powerful, whilst satisfying their self interests for economic gain.Let me direct Mr. Perinchief to 1 Timothy 6, verses 9 and 10 - “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Perhaps some of the MP’s who agree with Mr. Perinchief, should heed the advice given to Timothy and flee those things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. In doing so, they may also recognise that there are more needy folk out there who are not so much seeking more money for power, but because they are struggling to make ends meet.

Mr. Perinchief may be thinking of the power of capillary attraction (i.e. international businesses, which have money, needing use of our domicile to mitigate U.S. taxes). In this instance, yes, money brings power - power to international businesses who can afford to pay whatever in real estate, rents, school fees etc., thus driving up the cost and helping to displace many Bermudians in the process.

What’s disturbing is that His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier of Bermuda haven’t recognised the possible conflict of interest by allowing our Minister of Finance to be on the payroll of one of the largest international companies in Bermuda.

Doesn’t she have ultimate responsibility for overseeing the activities of these very same companies?

And, also, couldn’t cynics argue that these companies may also have been spared many tax increases as a result of the fact she works for the very industry she is also meant to regulate?

Having spent the last nine years satisfying the desires of ACE, XL and the like and with an election looming, let the Members of Parliament now turn their attention to North Hamilton to remember the black businesses in that area.

The sensible folk, however, should see beyond the rhetoric coming from the mouths of those “power hungry” individuals who are seeking to be re-elected this coming year and should remember the actions, or lack thereof, of those same folks over the past nine years.

They should also look at Dr. Ewart Brown’s Vision Statement - “Taking Bermuda to the Next Level”, where he stated that he will do everything possible to lead Bermuda to greater health, happiness and prosperity for all of its people. Yet previously didn’t he state that he was only looking out for PLP members and their families?

Nine years in power and we’ve seen nothing more than PLP MP’s taking care of themselves and their families and friends first, and rubbing it in by declaring this election year 2007 as the “Year of the Family.”

I’m certain that it wasn’t just blacks who voted the PLP into power and it certainly wasn’t just family members of PLP MP’s, so the objective of the Premier to take care of PLP members and their families is not going to be sufficient enough to ensure the PLP candidates the votes of those who fall outside of that category.

So to those of you who are not friends or family members of the PLP, I ask the question - “What have they done for you lately?’

THE HEART OF BERMUDA>/b>

Devonshire