Dear Sir,

The letter written by Mr Truman Bodden and Mr John McLean (“New constitution lacks checks and balances”) is something of a serious joke. I find it troubling and disappointing. I expect better of two men of respect that should act more responsibly. Here’s my reason for making such a synopsis.

Mr Truman Bodden, a corporate attorney, a successful businessman, a bank director, a former Leader of Government Business, duly qualified to become the first Premier of the Cayman Islands without scrutiny or opposition from the majority of voting Cayman Islands constituents, would rather spend his time writing letters along with Mr John McLean; prefers to make a contribution to the Cayman Net News forum instead of making a real contribution to their home country at a time of crisis!

I call this selfish and self-seeking, insufferable and devilish. I call this dodging the bullet of financial crisis that is now catching dear old Mr McKeeva Bush, who has at least had the guts to “bite that bullet”, and we must give him credit for that. Why? Because Mr Truman Bodden, a most qualified Leader of Government Business candidate for a second time, should have run for office in the elections on May 20, 2009 if he expects us to listen to him now. He had his chance and would not step up to the plate.

Both these former MLAs have alluded to past remarks discrediting the present Constitution that it has no checks and balances governing fiscal responsibility, and that it is compared to the Turks and Caicos Constitution and that we are headed for the same trouble as Turks and Caicos. How cruel.

If a man like Mr Bodden knows so much about what is facing the future of the people of these Islands, then why in heavens name doesn’t he make a real contribution by leading the way as an elected MLA instead of taking cheap shots at the PPM in the Compass and Cayman Net News forums? Is Mr Bodden helping the UK to penalise the Cayman Islands government because he too does not plan on running for office ever again; so it’s “play or spoil” as we used to say. Shame on them both.

I’m sure they both have children and grand children whose future they should ensure in helping draft or amend as many times as necessary the present Constitution. And as experienced politicians and former MLAs, these two men would rather criticise the Constitution and the PPM, who’s ousted and help the UK chastise this territory, than putting their hands to the plough. Enough of this! The bible says, “He that knoweth to do good and doeth it not to him it is sin.”

Mr Bodden could have done more for Cayman by getting into the race in May 2009 elections. We don’t need to hear anything from them now, for it only carries one message; these are those good ole boys who want everything to stay the same with no change, living in the dark ages with no constitutional rights for Caymanians, continually being abused by the powers that be, and nowhere to turn. How many laws did Mr Bodden and Mr McLean put on the table that were intended to protect the rights of the people, amending the then Constitution in 1972? We await a response.

Mr Bodden can still make contributions to our society as a lawyer capable of drafting sound constitutional legislation. As they are both fully aware, this newly approved constitution is only the framework and that the US Constitution was amended l3 times already. This is a great opportunity for Mr Truman Bodden to show his political, legislative, financial, legal, and fiscal leadership expertise in helping his people amend the present Constitution, addressing even the issues he mentioned in his letter.

If Mr Truman Bodden can deliver on this; if he really wants the best for Caymanians; I guarantee you that he will become Cayman’s first Premier in 2013, depending if the approved Constitution is effective in 2012 or in 2013 after the general elections.

John Smith
Texas