Is democracy collapsing?

February 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

Historian Lord Acton once wrote “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Is it not growing clear that our rulers are already corrupted by the power they wield? All while they make calls to independence being the only solution to empowering our people? Is it not growing evidently clear that the only thing our rulers hope to do is further empower themselves?

Lord Acton also wrote “Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end”. The very foundation of democracy is based upon the concepts of liberty, freedom from oppression and the end to such atrocities as slavery. Where all men and women are recognised as created equal and every person is afforded the right of association, freedom of religion, freedom of opinion and most importantly freedom of speech.

Are we witnessing the collapse of democracy on our great island? Has our government become so intoxicated by their own thirst for power that they have not only have forgotten about the basic needs of you and me but have also risen to silence and condemn any who choose to disagree?

Who remembers whistle blower Gabriel Martel? The unsung hero who raised the alarm about the state of the Berkeley school project — the very project that our government would have sooner sacrificed the welfare of our children then come clean with the truth.

What about Auditor General Larry Dennis, whose office was ‘conveniently relocated’ when he was critical that $800 million of public funds could not be readily audited? That is our money and if you note our latest budget statement, in many cases its details for the last years actual numbers are conveniently left out.

We have witnessed the ousting of a Head Chef for an admittedly tasteless joke, a Doctor for speaking out against the closure of a clinic that many believe helped poor Bermudians, and a construction site foreman who failed to give an MP respect when he did not know whom he was addressing and was the target of blatantly racist remarks.

Most recently, we read of the case where CedarBridge Academy educator Ulama Finn-Hendrickson, who has not been paid nor acknowledged by our government and been forced to take off of work due to illness resulting from CedarBridge’s mould infestation. The very mould that our government knew about since early summer and was more willing to put our children at risk rather then do the honourable thing. How can our politicians be emblazoned with the title ‘honourable’ when clearly honour does not come into play.

Have we allowed our government to become so intoxicated with such power that they have stepped beyond the bounds of what is reasonable? How quickly has our government rushed to approve special development orders that sidestep the appropriate planning processes. The very processes that ensure we don’t have code violations and mass safety hazards like at Berkeley?

Only months ago ‘Sustainable Development’ was the grand idea that would save Bermuda. Before this it was ‘Empowerment’. Tell me who is empowered now? How about ‘Independence’ where more then those who voted for the PLP last election were played the fool for signing a petition demanding that the question of independence be rightfully put to the people. Did our current Premier not stand next to our previous one when every citizen who signed that petition were insulted? Do you fail to see that we are being denied the right to choose our own destiny?

Despite claims that democracy on our great island is alive in well, in truth it is in tatters. Look around; our people are no more empowered then they were 9 years ago. Our politicians have rushed to take care of their own first and only do what is in our interests when election time is near by throwing money at issues that will buy votes.

It is time we started demanding more from our politicians. There should be accountability for missing funds and laws that empower and protect the people from government abuses not the other way around. It is time our politicians gave us the respect we deserve. We should be demanding true, fair and open democracy not some false fa|0xe7|ade — a Bermuda where public access to information is a reality, not an idle election promise, where freedom of speech and freedom of choice reign king above any man.

A Bermuda where all Bermudians live in a land of liberty and just government.

> DENIS PITCHER

St. David’s

Is dictatorship rising?

February 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am reminded of the words my mother often repeated to me “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you.” The expulsion of the Canadian for disrespecting Mr. Scott made me fear for democracy in this land. I have never met Mr. Scott but I certainly do not respect him in any way for his actions. He comes across as childish, power mad and vindictive in the extreme. Union tactics may work with the poor browbeaten employers who have suffered the ignorance of the Union leaders for many years, but they have no place in what is supposed to be a democratic country. I am amazed that no one has control over immigration. Throughout the world they seem out of control and unopposed.

Fidel lies dying in Cuba but it seems a dictatorship is rising here instead. FREEDOM SEEKER

City of Hamilt

Bermuda, what is wrong?

February 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

Oh my beautiful Bermuda! What in the world has become of you? There must be something seriously wrong when a guest worker can be deported for failing to kow-tow to a politician (of all people!) with whom he has had a disagreement.

When I was a “guest worker” there in the sixties, training some of your young people in a skilled trade, I have to say things were very different — on the surface at least. Perhaps I have a case of “rose coloured glasses syndrome” in remembering my happy and amicable stay in what is surely one of the world’s beautiful islands. A far cry indeed!

Alexander Mason

Ajax-by-the Lake, Onta

Some answers please

February 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would like to respond to an article that appeared in today’s paper, dated February 19, 2007 on Page 3 with the title “Work permit row: Proper procedures were followed, says Burgess.”

My concerns are not with procedure protocol but with the possibility that Mr. Scott might have made such racial remarks.

First I would like to state that I am a Bermudian and I feel that Immigration should address concerns brought before them relating to visiting workers.

I do not know Mr. Scott or Mr. Macleod personally and in all fairness to both, I am only basing my concerns as a result of the above mentioned article in your paper.

If Mr. Scott did say those things, I am shocked. If he did not say these things, I would like to know what it was that he did say, if anything, to provoke such a response from Mr. Macleod.

To be fair to Mr. Macleod, he should be respected for his honesty if for nothing else; at least he was willing to admit to his utterances during the argument.

If Mr. Scott did say these things then I must ask him if he thinks he can say something offensive to another individual and, just because he is an MP, not expect the offended person to respond.

If Mr. Scott didn’t say what he is accused of saying, then we really don’t need people like Mr. Macleod in Bermuda spouting untruths and he should publicly apologise to Mr. Scott. On the other hand, Bermudian both black and white should be outraged if we have an MP spouting racial remarks and then using his power to silence his inappropriate comments.

A CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

Smith’s Parish

A reminder to Mr. Scott

February 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

It seems to me that the dis-honourable George Scott has completely forgotten his role as an MP: He is not some sort of noble, who can go around spitting on the people, but a representative of the People. He is not worthy of respect and deference, except insofar as he acts to deserve it, just like everyone else. He is not special; he is really nothing but an employee of the people of Bermuda. But he has forgotten that. And because he has forgotten it, he should immediately step down, since he is clearly incapable of fulfilling his duties as a Member of Parliament. Elected office is not a position of privilege, but a position of responsibility and duty, Mr. Sco

A RESIDENT OF BERMUDA

Smith's Parish

We are not amused

February 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

Well here we are, being introduced to “The Royal We,” If not a little patronising and somewhat condescending. “Quote” “We will preserve this Bermuda Treasure.”

Referring of course to the development of Southlands, and the article on page four of my Royal Gazette, Monday February 5, 2007.

A few things should cause great concern among us, for instance.

1. The side stepping of the Special Development Order. Has Neletha Butterfield had experience and expertise in the environments health, and sustainable development? I think not!

2. Craig Christensen’s daughter cataloguing the estates treasures! Does she have expertise and experience in this field and under whose supervision?

3. A team of workers already carefully cutting back some of the undergrowth. Who are these team workers? Employed by whom? And how experienced are they? And again under whose supervision? Is this not jumping the gun before the final OK for the project, or is it a fait accompli?

How fortunate and lucky we are meant to feel, that a group of wealthy foreigners come onto our beautiful little island and tell us what they are going to do for us and that we must be assured that they are aware of our concerns and that it will be good for us.

Give me a break! The only people it will be good for will be the wealthy elite coming as visitors, and “The Royal We” and their buddies.

We will be “Over Ridden, Over Trodden, and Over Taken,” so what’s new for the little man in the street? With all this money flowing to Cricket and Football, could we dare ask, hope, or even expect accountability? Let us see if the Premier will come to the wicket with his word and promise, of transparency and an open door and tell us how this money was spent and now where it is going? The Berkeley School $700,000 we all wait to know.

He seems to be doing wonders for the economy. Let’s see if he can establish the miracle of listening to that whisper and whimper from the poor; from the uneducated, whose time is ‘Too Late’. To some seniors who are living under the poverty level and cannot have their teeth or health properly looked after and to the families who cannot afford to buy or rent a roof over their heads.

Let us wait quietly and patiently and see who benefits.....w?

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke