Holding a hand out for more

It is a time for giving. Giving within the family. Giving to others. The poor shall be with us for always. Though we do not have absolute poor, relative poor abound. Few go unclothed, without a roof over their head, or starve in the Maltese Islands. Far more than acknowledged exist quite under the average, far under those who are luckier than most.

This is a time for giving. Those least able to do so, will give relatively more than the better blessed. The widow's mite is a social reality, not only a moral lesson. It is a time for sharing. The best time of all.

It is also a time of asking. Of thinly masked cajoling and demanding. The poor do not beg. Those who act on their behalf do not cajole or demand. They do an honest Oliver Twist, and ask for more.

It is the political parties that cajole and demand. Throughout the year. Implicitly, they demand. Incessantly, they tell supporters, now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of the party. They urge them to dip into their shallow pockets to provide tangible proof of how much they love the party.

They offer prizes, yes. They massage donors, of course. But, almost subliminally, without outright declaration, the parties corner supporters into a guilt complex. If you do not give to the party, you are not doing your bit to ensure the party stays in office, or wins it.

They wrap it all in tinsel - The Party Needs You! The party subsists with a tiny bit given by those of the multitude. The Party Needs You, Big-Little Fella. Verily, You are its financial backbone. The money-blood that makes the purse-heart tick.

PN and MLP alike shoot that line. Not least now, in the season of giving, they do it. They make you think that your party contribution, as a card-holder, a sympathiser, is vital to the existence and success of the party. Don't you believe it. What you give does help. It swells the kitty.

And, by all means, give to sustain the political machine that you believe in. Yet, do ask that your generosity towards the party should not tab you as an idiot. The party - whichever one you prefer - does need you. But don't you swallow the line that your little contribution keeps the party away from the commercial wolves.

The political parties actively seek business contributions. They have a tight knot of individuals who knock on commercial doors. Bluntly, they request so much, and a bit more. To be paid now, or by instalments. Before the next general election gets uncomfortably close, of course - get the drift? Many businessmen do. They have been contributing - generally in cash, sometimes in kind - for years. They are now in a new phase. Sensing a possible/probable change of government, they dip their hands into left and right pockets. They hedge their bets. Theirs' is not the widow's mite, the party member's honest contribution. They make an investment of unethical hue.

For years I have publicly requested the party leaders to declare that they would not seek or accept, directly or indirectly, contributions from businessmen. Their reply was total silence. The parties went on holding out hands to ask for more without, at least, Oliver Twist's honesty.

This year I'll change my request, to the Prime Minister and to the Opposition Leader, both. Instruct your party officials to declare publicly who from the business community is making donations to your party, and of how much. Collect fighting funds, by all means. But let the widows and other citizens know who is staking a claim for your understanding when you face a crunch. Be honest.

I do not await either leader's reaction with bated breath...