July 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

It with great disgust that I can report that I have just heard the first of the PLP's radio "campaign ads".

I have heard a few of the UBP's over the past couple of weeks and they are the usual political things - a little too good to be true but do at least indicate that they have some idea what issues concern Bermudians and have had some discussions about what they can do to address them.

The PLP, however, seems to have decided that juvenile, pointless insults are the way to go! The ad consists of a whiney tirade asking us not to trust the UBP. Well, you know, I don't think that anyone with a brain really trusts any politicians so this campaign is based on a false premise to start with. And how does a party that doesn't actually address any issues miraculously become more trustworthy than the party that does?

Tell me, what is an "affirmation rally" going to do for my country? How is belittling the UBP's attempts to find some sort of solutions to our problems going to improve my lot in life? Personally, I would rather have a 1,000 square foot box to call my own, than wait around for the PLP's pipe dreams to come to pass! (Can anyone think of any way we are all going to have mansions other that somehow miraculously increasing Bermuda's land mass?)

I was seriously considering voting for Mr. Butler - simply because I like him and I believe that he really cares about his country. But not any more. I can conceive of no reason why I should vote for a party that has given me no reason to do so.

The UBP may not achieve all that they set out to do (politics is seldom that easy) but at least they are aiming in the right direction. The PLP may as well rename themselves the "Party Party Party" and have done with it!

DISGUSTED

Warwick

July 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

If the PLP get into power again, don't worry Bermuda there will be lots of houses for you to buy.

EXODUS

City of Hamilton

July 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

Bermuda is "pushing the self-destruct" button (Royal Gazette, July 18). Truer words have not been spoken!

The consequences of the PLP's term limit policy will drive Bermuda based companies with their thousands of direct and indirectly created jobs to Dublin and other countries. This will be disastrous for us Bermudians - not the foreigners who will do just fine. The companies that are based here came primarily due to our favourable climate for conducting business when another region became less desirable. We seem to want to try and recreate this scenario, unfortunately with Bermudians as the losers!

What has been the upside of this influx of business to Bermuda? Thousands of Bermudian jobs were created as these companies helped us avert a potentially devastating and continuing decline in tourism, which would have otherwise resulted in mass unemployment for Bermudians.

What is the PLP's plan to continue this Bermudian success story? Let's drive these companies out of the Island when they can no longer hold on to vital employees who create more jobs for us. What happens after the six-year limit is up? The foreigner will be replaced by another foreigner - if the job doesn't move to Dublin!

I've yet to hear how this helps Bermudians improve their job prospects and doesn't jeopardise our Island's economic success. What do we do when these companies stop exploring alternatives and act on them?

We'll rush back into all those thousands of empty tourism jobs while the foreigners go to another location to continue their success? I'd prefer the Bermudians be a part of this economic success. We must be the only place in the world that is complaining that we have it too good!

AT OUR PERIL

Smith's Parish

July 16, 2003

Dear Sir,

The two major parties want us to compare where we were five years ago and where we are today. Here is my personal comparison:

1a)Five years ago, old job paid $26,000 - poverty by Bermuda standards.

1b)Today new job pays $42,487 - about to get a pay increase in August.

2a)Five years ago, old housing - shared with parents.

2b)Today new housing - own apartment (with the help of a not greedy landlord, I will add).

3a)Five years ago, old savings - one account barely worth BNTB's time.

3b)Today new savings - one each at BNTB and Capital G. As well as money market accounts at Sunlife, Colonial and BFM.

4a)Five years ago, transportation - bike

4b)Today - brand new car

To Jenny and the gang, you have helped to make this five great years for me personally. What can you guys do to provide a husband!!!!

WAITING FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

Warwick South Central

July 20, 2003

Dear Sir,

So Dublin would "welcome with open arms an ACE or XL". They'd "move mountains" to make it happen! We Bermudians should heed these words and stop shooting ourselves in the foot! This isn't someone wanting to win a Bermuda election, playing political games with our future!

This is another region, one that would desperately love to take Bermuda's business, revenue and jobs for their own gain. They seem to understand that which we take for granted.

OPEN OUR ARMS AND MINDS

Smith's Parish

July 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

As with the reasons for choosing a particular brigadier general in a specific theatre of war, choosing the next government is really about choosing who will be the next manager of the people's affairs. So the issue is, which is the best team?

I believe we all know persons in both major parties that we feel have high ethical and moral standards along with the managerial skills that would likely result in a job well done.

So at the end of the day I believe the choice should be made in consideration of two factors. First, which group has the greatest number of efficient managers willing to work as a cohesive governmental team? Will that group be the most capable of drawing from the community the numbers of willing committee members and general helpers necessary for a more representative and efficient government?

The second factor is, what is the dominant moral value system of the party represented by the person you had intended to vote for? If this person represents the highest of ideals, are they a minority, or, do they represent part of a large majority within that party?

Before the last election I had pointed out the close affinity the PLP had, to, and with the American Democratic Party. One of their icons was past president Bill Clinton who when asked, under oath, the direct question: "Did you have sex with Monica Lewinsky"? - his reply was: "What is your definition of sex"?

Well Mr. Stuart Hayward was saying it like it is when he identified scandals and ethical misconduct as the concerns of voters. I encourage my fellow Bermudians not to buy into the "liberal mindset" that says that what you do in your private life has nothing to do with your public life; in God's handbook of ethics it says something to the effect that - you are not to deliberately set out to make apple juice from apples that have some serious apple core issues, - like it teaches in His Word, the resultant apple juice isn't likely to contain the blessings that fills, well, the thirst needs of the community! Now, like the bumper sticker 'WWJD' , (What Would Jesus Do?), in the long run, each of us that intend to vote - will better serve our community and ourselves if we voted is such a way as would show the greatest respect and reverence for God and His value system, it's your corporate and moral responsibility; - and please believe me, this responsibility really is a biggie - our children are watching us!

MORRIS FIGUEIREDO

Southampton

July 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

Bermuda is less than six days away from an election and the PLP has presented absolutely nothing for consideration by the voters. It is clear that the Smith Government is basing its whole campaign on a misguided notion that they can't possibly lose due to the new constituencies. Are they so arrogant that they think they don't have to work to get our votes? Is this what the new constituencies were about?

Alex Scott, at the poorly attended rally, said that demographics would determine that the United Bermuda Party couldn't possibly win if there is a high turnout! How quickly they forget! Historically we have one of the highest voter participation in the world, at around 80 percent. Prior to 1998 the PLP had never, in 35 years, won a majority of the popular vote. Simply stated, the majority of the voting population has only once felt they deserved the opportunity to govern.

The majority of Bermudians have voted against the PLP for most of their lives, regardless of the constituencies! It's amazing that the outgoing Government expects people to vote for them based on demographics not the issues and a vision?

VOTER

Smith's Parish