much more festive and buoyant mood. The expression of peace on earth and goodwill toward men has been joined this year by uncertainty and concern for the future. There is nothing quite so unsettling as success when it begins to fade. There can also be disillusionment when a new beginning turns out to be flawed.

It is probably fair to say that Bermudians spend too much time on politics and that lives are too often coloured by the political hopes and the political disappointments of the day. High expectations lead to big let-downs which are reflected very often in an atmosphere which works to Bermuda's detriment.

The expectations that the Saul Government might just have a fast track to the high ground were dashed very early on by the Premier's failure to grasp the importance of the Tim Smith affair and to do the right thing.

Bermudians already had doubts about where their Country was going and whether it would ever return to the glory days of over employment, full hotel beds and ringing cash registers. There is no doubt that those days will not return without a great deal of self-examination and hard work. Bermuda made the mistake in the early 1980s of taking its great success for granted and believing that the benefits would just go on rolling in. The result? Bermuda just does not make Bermudians as happy as it once did.

It is true that Bermuda was much better prepared than most countries for the recession and weathered the financial storm better than most. That should have allowed us to move forward. Yet Bermuda has not regained its high standards and shows few signs of recovery. That's worrying this Christmas.

Perhaps the close election followed by the unnecessary and highly debilitating Independence referendum held Bermuda back. The unity, strength and determination needed to get back on top were sapped by politics. The United Bermuda Party is split and the Progressive Labour Party shoots at any and all targets hoping against hope to score a point.

The people's expectations for the present and the future are dashed because they see that the Country is not on a high road to success. There is little unity of purpose. Bermudians are aware this Christmas that their future is in danger and they want some progress toward solutions rather than extravagant promises.

There are people unemployed this Christmas and there are people who are under employed. Tourism, which has kept us so very well for so long, is a damaged industry. There is a great deal of ongoing public concern over both education and drugs and a real desire for action to replace words. Retailing is flat even for Christmas and may never return to the high levels Bermuda was accustomed to.

People are already repeating, rather desperately, what they were saying two years ago: "Things will get better after the election.'' Even when there is no sign of any election.

But Bermudians believe in Bermuda and they have every hope that their Country can recapture the glory if there is ...

Goodwill to all