Road safety billboard

January 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

I think the Road Safety Council/Bermuda Government/Police had a fantastic idea of leaving the wrecked car (Page 5 today) on the wall at Belmont for 27 hours after I first saw it. It might be still there.

It?s a great use of a live billboard for all who pass, showing what can happen if one speeds, drinks and drives or both. Nah, don?t believe it. Most likely whoever was supposed to clean up the mess got tired and went home. Typical of the New Bermuda. Hey, if they want a live billboard, put what?s left of both cars on a trailer between 3:30 pm and 6.30 p.m. at the North Roundabout.

Government by right

January 28, 2004

Dear Sir,

I think there is a misunderstanding at the core of the recent DCI research issue. And like most misunderstandings, it has developed from an underlying belief which may shed some light on the Government as a whole.

It seems that there are people in Bermuda who believe that the PLP attained political power because it was their destiny, their right. In other words they are the Government because it is supposed to be that way. From that perspective I can understand how they do Party research with taxpayers dollars. ?We?re the Government, we want to do a good job, so we?ll poll the people.? Makes sense. But further, ?Don?t question me, I?m the Government, it?s my right.? That?s how monarchies work; the royal family line was originally chosen by God, or at least that is what they would have the people believe. Democracy, on the other hand, demands that the Government find its own way through the maze of leadership and if they fail power will be transferred. It?s a safety measure designed to prevent abuse.

The PLP?s ascendancy had little to do with rights, or destinies, it came about in large part because the UBP stopped listening to the people and carried on their business as if we didn?t matter. They were actually shocked that they lost. They were so busy doing their own thing that they didn?t see defeat staring them in the face. I think they had taken on the belief that being the Government was who they were. And the PLP is doing the same. This is a party that didn?t bother to publish a platform before the last election. They felt no need to justify their position.

There is a difference between a leader and a ruler. I think we have a Government who behave as rulers.

Fortunately, unless they actually establish themselves as a monarchy (whose would be the royal bloodline?) they will be replaced if they continue with this blinkered style of Government. In the last election it wasn?t that far from happening and I think they too would have been shocked by defeat. The irony is that those who would have us removed from under the Queen would adopt such an elitist style of Government. I think they take themselves too seriously and hold themselves in too high an esteem. I don?t think Bermuda has developed a mature democracy yet (has anyone?) I think we have a Government in place that is a reaction to years of social and political exploitation.

That Government, like the one before it, will be replaced and maybe then we?ll get a New Bermuda

Waiting for results

January 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

Recently an article was printed in newspaper about an investigation that was proposed to look into the functioning of the Government Department of Child and Family Services relating to the death of a baby by its dentist father and mother. Did the investigation take place? If so what were the findings?

This writer is happy that an investigation had been called for the going-ons in the Department of Child and Family Services because this writer has worked in that department and has first hand knowledge of violations of social work ethics, (e.g. disregard for the rights of the client and client system) unprofessionalism, (e.g. derogatory comments and attitude towards clients, client systems and other disciplines working with he same client/system) and insensitivity for clients from supervisors down to some workers.

For example, supervisors and some workers told this writer: ?You can?t give the clients what they need or we will be out of work.? These factors and the self-serving attitudes explains why cases are held open for many years.) Also children die or are left to linger in medical or/social systems at the expense of the tax payers. Workers in child and family services bring home a very healthy wage weekly and have recently been awarded an undeserved wage increase.

This writer hopes in the interest and for the well being of children, parents and their families that the investigation is timely and conducted by an independent (non-governmental agency) group or individual that is qualified and experienced in conducting thoroughly and valid investigations and evaluations of social agencies and hopes that findings are published.

Otherwise, the Government of the day?s newly proposed social agenda would be nothing but pipe smoke going up the chimney at the expense of taxpayers. Also, social problems in our community will never decrease or find healthy positive solutions.

This writer further proposes once the investigation/evaluation of the Department of Child and Family Services is complete, an office of social policy be established to be watchdog of Social Services functioning and delivery of services.

As the Child Protection Act is legislated to have children protected by the judicial system, this office of social policy should come under the umbrella of the courts, the Government, and an independent non-Governmental social service agency. Reports from the office of social policy would go to the-Government?s proposed social agenda programme.