Throughout Bermuda, concern is mounting to a point where many people who would otherwise keep their political allegiances to themselves are openly expressing outrage and disappointment over the current Government, and its manner of steamrolling over any opposition to some of its initiatives.

The people certainly have the right to know what is really going on. Most Bermudians seem to have a natural instinct to give anyone a fair chance to explain an irregularity before reaching a judgment and making it known.

This attitude holds true, even in the political arena where most supporters of either political group usually hold their fire until it becomes clear that someone has stepped out of line when it comes to proper ethics and matters of upholding the values expected from our elected representatives.

Up and down the Island I have heard extremely harsh words to describe Government's involvement in the Playboy Mansion issue, with taxpayers' money footing the bill for various prizes, all aimed at boosting our tourist business. Even before the printers' ink started to dry on that story, people were asking what on earth was happening.

There are not too many people totally unaware of the lifestyle connected with the Playboy empire. That is not to say they are passing judgment on how the Playboy empire operates its business, but many people here have strong feelings about the leadership of the Country openly engaged in functions with such an organisation, even for promotional purposes.

Most people I have spoken to feel our political leadership is drifting off the page on this matter. These concerns should not be dismissed as coming from people who are out of step with modern day lifestyles, or from people who simply do not understand Government's objective. In fact some concerns have come from people who are in position to know more than the average person.

Few Bermudians are clamouring for the Government to stumble and fall, because they know very well that stability is important for our little country. However they are clamouring for the Government to come clean, and better connect with the people on various issues of the day.

When you are on a crowded bus headed in the wrong direction it is quite clear who the passengers are going to blame for the mistake. No science is needed here. It is the same in politics. That old phrase as to where the buck stops, is still relevant.

Few people would question the Government's sincerity in trying to boost tourism. What they do question is how this is being done. No one should be placed in the proverbial stocks for asking questions about anything to do with Government and the people's business.

What appears to have gone wrong, and this could happen anywhere, is that poor public relations has left too many whispering and reaching their own conclusions on different matters. In other words, if people are not given sufficient information as to what Government is doing, suspicions clouds their judgment, creating an atmosphere of mistrust.

Perhaps the Premier himself should hold an open press conference to help clear up the concerns being raised by Bermudians from all walks of life on major issues, and to give a better indication where Bermuda is heading. This is no time for fighting on the ship, in the middle of economic storms affecting lives around the world.

In most countries, people push political differences aside when disaster strikes because there is strength in unity when it comes to solving major problems. We should not have to wait for something terrible to happen in order to take the action we need to take today.

Many people on both sides of the political divide are fed up with some press statements from Government that say next to nothing, and have a tone that no one should challenge Governments position. We cannot move forward in a climate of confrontation for the sake of confrontation.

The Bermuda we must save, should be a country where Government accountability is paramount, and every citizen should feel free to raise concerns without fear of being ostracised by supporters of one side or the other.

In the United States after the 9/11 horror, Democrats and Republicans stood arm in arm on the steps of the Capital Building and sang the national anthem, to show solidarity in coming to grips with the situation.

Hurricane Fabian resulted in Bermudians, black and white, from all walks of life, pooling their efforts to help one another after a storm that claimed several lives and left a trail of damage throughout the island.

Let's not wait for the next incident that demands unity. We all have a responsibility to make Bermuda a better place for generations yet to come. Our goal should be to save a Bermuda they can be proud of. Let's not allow our differences to prevent us from achieving that.