True democracy should be a system where justice overrides blind allegiance, which usually contains negative emotions that cloud the ability to allow the bright light of transparency to illuminate a particular problem. This is essential in keeping truth as the ultimate goal in building a strong society.

In the political arena, throughout much of the world, it is the people who have been at the mercy of unbridled power from groups that deviate from basic human rights to maintain control over others in a manner that violates decent principles for living with freedom and dignity.

It is a grim reality. In this age of modern communication technology that has made the world a smaller place, not much happens without people across the globe being informed almost instantly.

It is a testing time as democracy itself seems under threat since there are people who in their quest for power ignore common values such as freedom to choose, and instead launch attacks on innocent people, including children, to create an atmosphere of fear among those who oppose their ideology, often with tragic results. Here on our beautiful island, we need to be careful not to lose sight of important values that can become blurred in trying to move forward in trying to build a more solid infrastructure that will not only serve an evolving, diverse society, but will be a guidepost for future generations to build on.

This is why it is more than essential for any government to operate in a manner that upholds core values for promoting honesty, truth and integrity in all aspects of serving the people.

Governments have a responsibility to perform with those objectives on the front burners at all times.

No government is perfect, and while the people are fully aware of that, they expect no stone to be left unturned in the search for truth when something happens that indicates that the truth arrow appears to be pointing in the wrong direction on a particular issue.

Should that issue concern questionable handling of the public purse, even without conclusive evidence, unless the matter is resolved, a tidal wave of speculation could take root.

Any government of the day charged with overseeing the public purse has the enormous responsibility of carrying out that duty and to maintain proper operating standards designed to prevent possible mishandling of the public purse — accidental or not.

Governments should be guided by that golden principle

The Office of the Auditor-General has the specific task of monitoring government spending and alarm bells were sounded on a number of occasions, where officials encountered spending procedures between 2010 and 2012 that left more questions than answers over a number of contractual arrangements.

The Office expressed a number of concerns that indicated that something outside of established procedure was taking place, making it difficult to have accountability.

With millions of dollars involved, and considerable concern from the public, government decided that a Commission of Inquiry would probably be the best way to examine the matter, and this would be done before the public, with seeking truth the ultimate objective.

When the hearing starts soon, there will be many questions and answers before a specially selected panel.

Since we have a politically divided Bermuda, emotions beneath the surface will be at play. Bermuda will only make real progress facing up to truths no matter how painful they may be.

Whatever the outcome, the result must be used to strengthen our social and political infrastructure, in order for future generations to reflect on this chapter of our history, and hopefully feel pride in how it was handled. At least that should be our hope.