Angelo Micallef, Marsaxlokk
Recycled Alfred Sant Budget response
Was it a Budget response speech or a political party mass meeting taking place in the room normally used as a Parliament? This is the question I ended up asking myself last Monday after having been subjected to the tirade of rhetoric and slogans dished out by Labour leader Joseph Muscat in what some may choose to define as a budget response speech.
Dr Muscat's two-hour performance in Parliament was anything but a budget response. His criticism revolved around individuals within the government and within government departments or companies. It was the same old criticism dished out to us by his predecessor Alfred Sant. The same old banter of the inefficient, tired and corrupt government who could be so out-performed by a Labour administration.
And if this wasn't enough to remind us of the good old days of Dr Sant he then even tried to get our Labour juices going by promising us a reduction in taxes and a reduction in the water and electricity bills. Sounds distinctly familiar to what Dr Sant used to say before the last general election, doesn't it? And yet this is the party which currently prides itself of being a movement of progress and change!
Dr Muscat also gave us yet another version of the "Labour says no" political thought. This time, rather than say no outright, why not agree in principle but then bring up a thousand and one defects to the actual reality of the proposal at hand? Ultimately, however, it's still the same old stale politics of Dr Sant of saying no to anything proposed by the other end of the political spectrum.
Dr Muscat's speech had a bit of everything: an allegation here and there, the odd, hysterical attack, an Alfred Sant proposal recycled for good measure; if only it actually had any comments about the Budget itself it would have perhaps earned the title of a Budget response. Alas it was like that little boy's essay who, while having impeccable English, still manages to get an F for being entirely out of point!
12 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
J Martinelli
Nov 20th 2009, 17:32
No, Gerard Cassar, bring Joseph on anytime, because every time he opens his mouth, he comes up with a lulu! He is invariably outclassed by Dr. Gonzi who is always well prepared with information to back him up and not with empty rhetoric so typical of Joseph abetted by his predecessor! One wonders why some of his MPs reputed to be of some intelligence, still back him up. Or do they? Although the fine for disagreeing with the administration has been removed from the Party Statute, (that's what we are told) the arm twisting done in the background may very well be the reason for the apparent unity of the Labour Party caucus. In other words, it is a 'controlled democracy' which reigns in the Party. All that is expected from LP bloggers is a bit of reality not a repetition of their leader's hindsight, U-turns, bad advice and wishful thinking. We all have to remember that Joseph's mentor had advised the government to devalue the Lira before converting to euro. Imagine bank accounts being 10-15% smaller, the purchasing power 10-15% weaker and the cost of living 10-15% higher! And you and your leader complain of hard times?
Gerard Cassar
Nov 20th 2009, 17:01
Reading P.N.'s contributions it seems they are all suckling. So goes the trend. When children we used to challenge each other with: I'll bring my brother,! I'll bring my father; So I'll bring my uncle John who is a champion boxer. Then I bring Joe the boxer of Tarxien etc. etc. Are these what one expects from P.N. bloggers.
leonardo v ince
Nov 20th 2009, 16:21
mur orqod ang!!
Gianninu Saliba
Nov 20th 2009, 14:00
Franco must understand that Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami had already proven himself to be a most competent MP and 'shaddow minister' before being appointed PN leader. Hence Mintoff's mistake of calling him a baby. On the other hand, Joseph came out of nowhere and is leading the Socialists in the wrong direction - a road that leads to nowhere. It's only a baby that cries "I want it. I want it" but does nothing to earn it. Baby Joseph is crying "I can do better than Dr. Gonzi. I want to be Prime Minister". The bottom line is, he has done nothing to earn him such a position. On the other hand, Dr. Gonzi is proving his capabilities... hence the nickname of 'par idejn sodi'.
J Martinelli
Nov 20th 2009, 14:00
@ Angelo Micallef
And who do you think wrote Joseph's speech?
My prediction a few days before Joseph's reply to the Budget speech was right on. Joseph's movements were orchestrated by Dr. Sant, pulling the proverbial strings in the background.
At least, Joseph was smart enough not to make recommendations, such as bulk buying and the introduction of the 'reception class' although he came close on 'cutting the electricity rates in half' through hinting that rates should be kept as-is plus reintroducing subsidies.
S.Darmanin
Nov 20th 2009, 13:55
Angelo, if Joseph Muscat is a little boy what are you then, a toddler?
U. D'Amico
Nov 20th 2009, 13:46
@Franco Farrugia
The one and only crucial difference is that behind EFA, there was a great team. If you look at PL structure you have JM, and then the lovely Anglu Farrugia and Toni Abela... + The other MPs that haven’t changed seat since the 70s!
G.Debono
Nov 20th 2009, 12:56
@JJC
I cannot understand what your comment has to do with what this man is saying. However I equate both his letter and your comment on the same level - plainly obtuse.
wally vella-zarb
Nov 20th 2009, 12:31
One wonders whether Brilliant Angelo noticed the number of 'recycled' projects that Tonio Fenech himself had in the budget for this year. If not, I suggest that he compares this year's speech with the one for 2009. Worse than being merely 'recycled', many of them are literally 'copy and paste'. Since he seems to be so fond of the 'little boy' comparison, he would agree that this year's budget was indeed, in many instances, "like that little boy's essay who, while having [not quite] impeccable English", hopes that no one would notice his 'plagiarisms'. Unfortunately for him, floating voters DID notice.
Deo Catania
Nov 20th 2009, 11:57
Ara x'qalilna hej l-avukat principali ta' gonzipn. xejn sew dal-pajjiz.
Franco Farrugia
Nov 20th 2009, 10:28
Young and inexperienced Angelo, watch out that you don't make the mistake of ridiculing Joseph Muscat and equating him with a 'little boy'. You are surely too young for that, ... and hopefully a tiny bit more intelligent!
Many years ago, before you were even a happy fantasy, Mintoff and old Labour also depicted Eddie Fenech Adami as a baby 'bil-harqa' in their newspapers ... and that was their mistake and fateful error!
Jeremy J Camilleri
Nov 20th 2009, 10:28
Planning on contesting an election again dear Angelo?
Oh well....