Budget Reply spot on

February 24, 2003

Dear Sir,

As a frequent visitor to Bermuda over the past 20 years, I believe Dr. Gibbons has stated the problems direct and without prejudice.

His article (the Budget Reply) should be viewed as a "eye opener" for all who desire a future in Bermuda and government programmes.

I have no political affiliations in Bermuda but realise, as a visitor, Dr. Gibbons has addressed many of the present problems facing Bermuda.

Hear! Hear! Dr. Gibbons, Job well done!

It does take courage to be critical and progressive in today's society.

FRANK F. BURNS

Retired Dep. Insp. General

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Not such a sweet Budget

February 24, 2003

Dear Sir,

A sweetheart budget? Not for seniors.

Old age pensions to be increased? Yes, by three percent!

The range of pensions is from $314.59 per month to about $840. For seniors receiving $314.59, the increase will be $9.44 - not enough to buy food for a decent meal. Those receiving larger pensions, say in the $753 per month bracket (as many do), will get an extra $22.59. No Cabinet Minister worth his ego could operate his large oversized car on that for a day.

Come on Jennifer, Alex, Terry, David, Renee, Calvin and the rest of you. Let's get real. You're riding the backs of thousands of Bermudian seniors who worked hard all their lives to get you where you today. Remember Coleen's confrontation with Premier Smith outside Parliament last spring? She was absolutely right.

Old age pensions should be doubled, at least. Seniors have difficulty contending with the rapidly escalating cost of living. What it takes to survive just about buries us - before the undertaker get his chance.

There is a simple way of rectifying senior financial distress. Funds earmarked for questionable projects should be reallocated to areas of desperate need. Seniors' pensions and school teachers' salaries top this list.

Unemployment insurance? Unemployment? Bermuda has to bring in about 8,000 people to fill out the workforce because there are not enough Bermudians available to fill these jobs. Or is unemployment insurance being mooted to subsidise the wall sitters and others who can't be bothered trying to fill any of the 8,000 jobs? Millions could be diverted from this sham to bolster old age pensions.

Consider the soaring Government travel bills. Travel is usually taken in groups, led by the Premier who traipses to all corners of the globe. Where she goes, why and when are usually guarded secrets. Premier Smith spends so much time out of Bermuda that she probably knows more about Switzerland than she does about Court Street and Front Street. Trimming Government travel could provide hundreds of thousands to help the seniors.

Forget about paying exorbitant fees to international consultants. Mainly, they just tell us what we know already.

Does anybody in Government really expect us to believe that it takes over 5,000 government employees and $650 million dollars this coming year to run a tiny Island of 19 square miles?

The Government could easily tighten its own budget belt by five percent and hardly feel it. That would save a cool $32.5 million dollars in one year alone. Think what that could do for vital underfunded commitments.

Government and civil servant employees retire on whopping pensions (and presumably draw old age pensions, too) which enable them to maintain the lifestyle to which they have long since become accustomed.

There is much phony rhetoric spouted in high political circles about all the respect due to seniors for their great contributions to Bermuda's ongoing success. Their flippant mouths spew out this hollow rhetoric because they like to hear their own voices, but they don't make a mistake in offering to do anything for us. So they don't.

Little else is done, apart from one's medical assistance, a few fringe perks like free bus travel (down from the mere five cents we paid before - big deal!), and a cup of tea and a condescending smile on the lawn at Camden once a year.

The high and mighty in the Bermuda government are not concerned about the seniors and their unhappy plight.... not even in an election year.

T.C. AITCHISON

Pembroke

Good for BJSL

February 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

If you haven't heard of the Bermuda Junior Service League before, you need to read on!

These dozens of wonderful and dedicated woman spend countless hours helpingBermuda, volunteering their time to make this Island a better place. Theyraise tens of thousands of dollars through their hard efforts and then givethese funds and even more of their time to worthy causes all over theIsland. They have been doing it for years and years.

If you meet a "BJSL"er why not say thanks to them for their communityspirit? If you want to know more about what them do, give them a call,they're in the phone book.

ONE OF THE HUSBANDS

City of Hamilton