Updated: Thousands in Valletta for second tariffs protest

Mike Magri

Mar 3rd 2010, 20:06

Hey Guys... Why are you so worried about the savage costs of the water & electricity bills..!!
According to GonziPN & Company, we MUST all learn to `Economize` ta hi...!!!

Weeeeeelllll.... How`s this for a starter, MEN.....!!

Wash our clothes once every two weeks..!!
Take a shower once a week in summer and once every two weeks in winter..!!
Do away completely with our airconditioners..!!
Do away with our freezers..!!
Have our diners in candle light..!!
Do away with our electric blanket...!!
No electric kettles, ovens and microwaves...!!
No electric appliances, exept maybe a fridge-freezer only..!!
Forget the use of the computer..!!
Dont have any live plants in the house unless you have a well for watering them..!!
Cut down on TV Time by about 50% and turn to radio..!!
Insomma..and more, and more suggestions, which i am sure that you all can come up with...!!!

OTHERWISE.. We all have to take the Minister of Finance, Mr. Tonio Fenech`s BRILLIANT, FANTASTIC and IMMACULATE advise and, "....all of us must START GETTING USED TO THE PAYING OF BILLS, You Know..."...!!! Woooooowwww.... X`gherf Sur Ministru tal-Finanzi...!!!!!

Gee whizzzz Sinjuri Anzjani... Dose`nt this remind us all of the 1960`s living standards...!!!

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 3rd 2010, 18:52

@Clayton Bartolo

So let's hedge for oil from now till FOREVER, and we'll insure it too. By your accounting, it's a totally safe bet... Since as Oil becomes scarcer, we know for certain that prices will (on average) be on the increase. No?

Since you have all this financial acumen, why don't you enter the fuel-oil market, Mr Clayton Bartolo? The market has been liberalized and you would be guaranteed untold millions in a short time!!

Now how could I have missed this one? Perhaps the fly in ointment was that there was nobody prepared to match my 2050 Hedge bid. Much less was there anybody prepared to insure it!!!!

You are living in Pluto my friend!
Hedging, forward buying, options and futures trading are not too far-off from the plain old game of Poker! So how many millions of PUBLIC money are you prepared to risk on this gamble? Will YOU put your neck on the line if it goes wrong?

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 3rd 2010, 18:37

@Salvina_Azzopardi

Min huwa Brainwashed?? Jien hbieb fil-gvern ma tantx ghandi - ghax daqs kemm ghamlu bsaten fir-roti tieghi ma ghamlu l-hadd, sinjura!!! L-elezzjoni li jmiss, PL se nivvota - mhux ghax gholi id-dawl - imma ghaliex dan il-gvern artab wizq mal-Unions u ma kull min jokrob---Jcedi wizq!!! Li kien ghalijja anqas dawk l-10 miljuni rifuzjonu ma kont nghati! Hela ta flus!

@N.Aquilina, Kevin_Cassar

No need to become a businees person to make more money - Just go to University and get yourself a decent job---and IFF you don't find one, do like me---Set up your own business! But you are warned it takes much more VERY hard work than luck. I had no luck - EVERYTHING went wrong at first! This government made my life hell: Licences, Permits, Property Expropriation etc...etc...

@E_Compagno

I'm not pointing fingers at domestic abuse cases, rape victims etc.. I'm irritated by that Nineteen-year-old, unemployed, SINGLE TART living next door who spends more cash on make-up than on baby-food, while pregnant with her third child. She has an "open-relationship" with 3 boyfriends. AND YES she was protesting with you on SUNDAY!

Salvina Azzopardi

Mar 3rd 2010, 17:14

@ Demicoli

Dear dear Sur Demicoli

Int tahseb li dan l gven halliena nifirxu s sodda bhan nies jew! Int jaqaw xi wiehed mil hbieb tal hbieb ghalhekk titkellem hekk! Jien jekk immur fejn l boss nistaqsih ghaliex minimum wage jghidli l bieb kem tinzel t targa qieghed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Veru bla raguni u brain washed mil gvern int!!!
Grazzi

N. Aquilina

Mar 3rd 2010, 12:32

@Aristotle Demicoli
Re: your comment."I barely have time to speak to my children."
Miskien!!!!....Well maybe you should have saved the time spent making these comments to talk to your children.
And another thing.- Are you proposing that everyone in Malta should become a business person in order to see the electricity bills as peanuts,like you do?

Clayton Bartolo

Mar 3rd 2010, 10:28

@ Aristotle Demicoli:

have you ever heard about hedging, forward buying, options and futures? Do you even know how oil is bought on the international market? It is not the OPEC's fault, but it is our own government's fault for not making the correct decisions when buying the oil from foreign sources. It is up to the government to insure against a rise in oil prices, to find the right seller at the right price.

And yet you failed to give me a solution for what a small shop whose business is declining, but yet he cannot shut down his energy consuming appliances, is to do. What are these people supposed to do with their bills? Do they have to continue raising the prices in order to make up for the sales decline? That would end up putting more people at risk as they would not afford their shopping, thus leading to a further reduction in sales...

This government is trying to do everything to survive; telling us that jobs are being created when in fact unemployment is on the increase. Telling us that business is gaining ground, when the business owners tell you that it is not true...

E Compagno

Mar 3rd 2010, 05:57

@ Aristotle Demicoli
First of all, the use of the words 'handicapped' and 'retarded' stopped being used a few moons ago.

Secondly, being a single mother is NOT always a choice. Or maybe, you would rather see a married woman being beaten to death in her matrimonial house so as not to leave her husband and BECOME a SINGLE MOTHER. Ma jmurx jiswilek xi 1c.
Many times, the father is working and showing as unemployed so as to get out of his responsibilities.. but hey, that's ok. It's the women who sacrifice everything and take on the children that are the cancer, hux Mr. Demicoli?

Disgusting. But money does that to you. It makes you think you're something better and your life is worth more. You start to lose touch with reality..

I understand that there are leechers.. but some of the biggest ones are holding some of the most important office, who's wages (and extras and commission for this or that) are also paid from your taxes, btw.

The irony!

Kevin Cassar

Mar 2nd 2010, 20:40

@ Aristotle Demicoli

I'm happy for you that your self built business venture is flourishing but to say that anybody can do like you is nonsense. If it was true then we would all be businessmen and nobody would be an employee. Some people try their luck and hit the jackpot while others may fail. Like everything else on this planet, it all comes down to luck. That's not saying you're just lucky - don't get me wrong, I know it takes hard work to get to where you are. But I'm also sure that you know (more than I do) that business success depends on a lot of factors and not just talent and hard work.

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 2nd 2010, 18:20

@_Clayton_Bartolo

High energy prices are everybody's problem myself included - My last (commercial) bill was €12,631. So by your reasoning I should be have been on the front line of this protest!

But what's the point?
It's like blaming God for forgetting to plant some oilfields in our backyard! Nonsense!

You CANNOT blame it on the government or anybody else in this country... If you disagree with the fuel or electricity prices go pick a fight with OPEC or Saudi Arabia. They control the prices in the end.

Yes, there might be inexcusable inefficiencies - but they are just a few percent. And even if you resolve these (which we must), what will you do when oil hits $500 or $700 a barrel? - (which it will!)

I never pointed fingers to the handicapped, retarded or the elderly. Those we should help--by all means! But being a single mother is a free choice and it is NOT A GOOD IDEA these days. Those we should penalize and not reward!

For the all the rest - JUST WORK MORE and complain LESS!

S. Vella

Mar 2nd 2010, 18:09

I have a quick question to those asking for more efficiency in Enemalta. Do you have a solution for this?
I can assure you that the only way is to privatise Enemalta, trim the excess fat (read inefficient employees and practices) and end the monopoly on energy & fuel. While I'm all up for this, I have a nagging suspicion that some of you screaming bloody murder in this very blog would protest vociferously at this solution. Be careful what you wish for because in this case I hope you get it!
Just in case someone asks - NO, enemalta can never be efficient as long as politicians are allowed to interfere. Political short-term goals always and invariably interfere with business long-term aspirations (read profit). The fall of the Soviet Union dispelled that nonsense a couple of decades ago.

PS: on topic, I currently consider myself somewhat apolitical. However, I was a teen in the 80's and parts of the protest's footage sent a shiver down my spine. Just saying.

Clayton Bartolo

Mar 2nd 2010, 17:34

@ Aristotle Demicoli: from your words I gather that you have no idea of what is happening in Malta. Maybe your business is flourishing, while others' is diminishing. If we take a village grocery; while his sales have declined he cannot shut down the freezers. If before he used to sell x amount of sales, and now he is selling far less, he is still using the same amount of electricity, with the end result being that he is not recouping the electricity bill that is being spent. The relationship between non-residential electricity tariffs and sales is an inverse one; with sales on the decline and bills on the increase.

Frankly, I don't care how much you earn; all I know is that you have no idea of caring for those that are really and truly in need. What about the pensioners, single mums and disabled people who cannot work? Are they couch potatoes? Don't they have a right to live just like you do? Prior to this saga maybe they could afford their electricity bills, but now they have to rely on the government's help. Kindly don't generalise all the people that cannot work, as your statements aren't truthful.

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 2nd 2010, 17:10

@ L.Camilleri

Vera... Mhux kulhadd komdu!
IMMA Il-KUMDITA THADEM GHALIHA TRID! Mhux toqghod tokrob biss!
Jekk qed tghix bil-minimum wage - Ghax ma tistaqsiex ghaliex???

Forsi ghax ghandek ambizzjoni ta zring?
Jew ma tridx titghallem tahdem?
Jew ma tridx taf b'skola?
Jew ghazzien daqs is-sejf ta San Pawl?

Kulhadd jifrex is-sodda tieghu kif irid - Imbghad jorqod fuqa jkollu!

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 2nd 2010, 17:02

@ C.Catania

I never said I was special... On the contrary, I'm a very common commoner who started his business from ZERO. Any common Joe can do the same. The fact that most don't, is because they are cozy sucking at other people's taxes.

The fact that I earn €100,000+ is very relevant because this is why I'm shouldering a much bigger weight than most of you... Currently, this means that I spend more than a third of my EXISTENCE working to support other people's excesses. I barely have time to speak to my children.

What if myself - and a few thousand other businessmen - just stopped working altogether? We can do just that. We can just retire, enjoy our children, stop paying taxes and send our employees to hell. Then I will join the rest of the BLOODSUCKERS and start living off state benefits. We will spend our time queuing at Mater-Dei for free panadols and we'll join you in the FINE ART of milking the welfare system.

The bottom-line is that I REFUSE to pay for other people's energy bills.

E.Abela

Mar 2nd 2010, 15:24

Thank you Dr.Gonzi for everything and continue working to get more investments and work.
To the GWU, PL and other unions I tell you ,please don't try to distroy all the efforts that Dr. Gonzi is doing to attract investors to invest in Malta.
If the people don't have money to pay the E&W bills , I wonder why the PL orgainse Coffee Mornings and High Teas with Bingo. Instead of playing they should keep the money to pay the bill for what they have consumpted. First things first.

Clive Pace

Mar 2nd 2010, 14:37

"Insults were hurled by the demonstrators at Nationalist MPs, with the chanting of 'mafia mafia' and Gonzi purcinell." No one likes these tariffs in any for or manner... but hey... chanting these words is going back to the 80's SAME OLD STORY !!!

TO THE 80's?? HOW ABOUT GOING BACK IN 2008? WHEN DR.ALFRED SANT TRIED TO GIVE A SPEECH AT THE UNIVERSITY? THIS IS THE DEMOCRATICAL WAY MALTESE STUDENTS LEARNED TO ACT.

claire cassar

Mar 2nd 2010, 13:58

ma nafx dan il-panik kollu - mill- video li rajt, ma kien hemm xejn li ifakkarni fl-80's! anzi kienet demostrazzjoni pacifika ghall-ahhar.

J.Borg

Mar 2nd 2010, 13:02

ghamlu iktar minn dawn il protesti halli nerghgu nirbhuha - grazzi


J.Borg

E Comapgno

Mar 2nd 2010, 11:09

Here's an idea... why not let other energy companies set up shop? Enemalta is free to fleece us all because they have a monopoly. If I think they're offering energy at a ridiculoud price.. I have no choice but to buy it from them anyway!

Remember Vodafone tariffs before Go and Melita and Redtouch? I remember getting a Lm70 monthly bill once. Nowadays, I hardly spend €30 a month on my mob.

We need competition. There has to be another supplier or they'll keep making us pay through the nose.

And as for the protest, people have a right to protest and a right to free speech. they have a right to be politically motivated and a right to not be. Booing the prime minister is a right to free expression. Have you all forgotten the G. W. Bush insults and jokes? That's what a democracy is about. God forbid we were not allowed to boo a politician or leader like in middle eastern and north african countries.

L.Camilleri

Mar 2nd 2010, 10:58

Ma nafx alfejn dan il panic kollu ! Jaqaw kull min qijed jikritika lil dawn in nies - kolla kemm intkom sibtu xi sodda mifruxa? Jaqaw intom ma tafux xjigifieri " Minimum Wage" u minna trid tejjex familja u thallas il kontijit! Nejd alija personali - lili ma jaffetywawnix - imma ma jfissirx li ax jien komdu - kulhadd komdu ! Li kieku taf li inti ma intix tigi misruq meta tircivi il kont tad dawl u lilma - kiku ma titkellem xejn ! Imma kulhadd fl istess dinja qijed u kulhadd jaf li qedin nigu misruqin! Jien ma jinteressanix mid dejn li andu il pajjiz - imma ma inhix lest inhallas u namel tajjeb al dawk in nies li meta sabu il flus nefquwom! Dawn intellawom hemm mhux biex jejxu ta miljunarji !
Li kieku inti li qijed tistageb bl imgieba ta dawn in nies - tinsab flistess posizjoni taghhom - l istess haga taghmel!

C.Catania

Mar 2nd 2010, 09:49

@aristotle demicoli next time just put what you expect in your comment and not what is your income.No one is interested accept the goverment in your actual income:).by the way there are people who earn more than you:)and less than you but i agree with you that everyone is the same and no one is special not even you:)

Martin Cassar

Mar 2nd 2010, 09:44

KARNIVALTA GHALA TONY ZARB U L'GWU, Qatt ma stnnejt ahjar. Keep it up tony!

Christopher Debattista

Mar 2nd 2010, 09:24

@Arthut Gambin - Jigifieri int kuntent thalli gvern giddieb jaghmel li jrid bik ? . Sfortunatament nies bhalek huma li jeqirdu pajjiz ghax bil-mentalita wieqfa tieghek li kollox jaghaddi, lill min hu zghir qedt tkissru ! Id-dollar nizel issa, thus price per barrel nizel by 0.17% . Mur ghamel naqa Homework siehbi. L-ewwel jghidu habba li ghola l-prezz taz-zejt u issa ghax naqas prezzu, jghidu li habba d-deficit - Mela hasbuna deficjenti jew !? ! Tal-qalba jgawdu u il-middle class qedt tispicca !

Joe E Galea

Mar 2nd 2010, 07:57

Obviously the PN apologists vulture came out again feasting on an insignificant fact which is that there were people chanting mafia and Gonzi pulcinell and obviously they start going back in time to the 80's as if they are puritans. I just go back to the last elections. The PN marmalja even at university calling A Sant all sort of names and offending him, what about the wigs and the dolls with one hand? What about those T-shirts with rude words on? The if we go back to the 80's do you remember the hamalli PN going out on the roads banging their pots and pans or the throwing of balastrades?

Coming to today which what is really important, I think these people are hurt enough to retaliate. The government has been taking everyone for a ride for 25 years. People like the PN apologists follow the Maltese saying "min jidhak bik jahjik". That's why this country is in such a sad state.

A Camilleri

Mar 2nd 2010, 07:26

@ James Grima
Take a look around you and smell the coffee....... the people are fed up...... this was a protest organised by GHAQDA TRADE UNIONS MALTIN....therefore everyone was invited to attend..........this is reality

Michael Catania

Mar 2nd 2010, 06:57

TO THOSE who are saying that the march participators were rude, arrogant and other derocatory remarks , I suppose this relates to what was shown on PBS. I was at that meeting
and I have nothing but praise for the marchers.Those that were shown mouthing off were probably plants acting on behalf the conservatives to put the rest of us to shame. So unless you were there and witnessed, none of you have any right to insult the participants.

Michael Catania

Mar 2nd 2010, 06:09

OH ! How the conservatives are gloating now that the new tariffs are with us. Don't they realise that they have to fork out the same as us who opposed these rises, unless of course they know something that is a mystery to us "naive " voters. I hope now Enemalta employees pay particular attention to their meter readings and I'm sure they have a bit of intellegence to know what I mean.
As for the conservative MPs - Shame on you, you were cheaply bought annnnnnnd hope you can sleep on your conscience, oh sorry I'm not so sure yuo know what that word means. I have a conservative dictionary and that word is not in. In its place is the word MONEY

G.Schembri

Mar 2nd 2010, 02:26

@ Jason Attard, J.Borg, G.Azzopardi, charlo' sammut , G. Mangion, Joseph Agius, James Grima, Mario Mercieca - In every protest people call others names. I remember 1997 University students' protest organized by one of Fenech Adami's sons and the SDM - now I'm sure University students are the Creme de la Creme of Socienty- I clearly remember one paticular student stamping on the photo of the then minister Evarist Bartolo- they also had placards with rude words and signs on them. I distinclty remember PN supporters calling Alfred Sant names and mentioning his wig. I also remeber last election PN supporters insulting him about his health. What about the U tube image of a poodle with Joseph Muscat's face amongst others. If people believe there are corrupt practices they have a right to call MPs Mafia. It seems certain people are biased.
@ Mario Mercieca - Are you implying that since MUT joined GWU - the government will not give teachers their due- Now that is very Democratic rather a taste of the 80s

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 2nd 2010, 00:05

I Would attribute the big success of the two demonstrations to Gonzi describing them as “Pantomima.” Il-Malta tipruvax tirredikulah jew timpikah ghax ibambalulek. His media coalition helped a bit too.

J Martinelli

Mar 2nd 2010, 00:03

'Empty vessels make most sound' - and there were a lot of big empty vessels.

To the thousands I say, twice in a space of 24 hours, your Party and your Union (one and the same) have led you by your noses. You have wasted time and energy and a few euros as well, in return for what? You must still be under the impression that you deserve something for nothing. This has been the LP's slogan for 50 years and you still have not learned one iota from six election defeats in 20 years!

Feel good, feel happy, but with the present leadership, a faithful copy of past leaders, you will endure yet another disappointment in 2013 be it by a whisker or more likely a landslide a la 1998!

Hurling insults at MPs only shows shallowness of character.

gaffarena joseph

Mar 1st 2010, 23:49

Here we go once again,the same rude and arrogant comments .This attitude makes me think twice,about voting labour.The PN,backbenchers want a place with the ministers, but the PL.,want to be in power at all cost,no matter if they are ready or not.
About the GWU,it is better to fight for those ex drydocks workers that are all infected with asbestos, because we had been waiting for an answer from them more than 2 years.
It is their duty to see that we are all compensated and not leaving us waiting for all these years.
Everyone promise you heaven on earth ,but I, think heaven will only come for the very few.
We cast our vote, and be forgotten to morrow.This is the way our political parties have on their hidden agenda.Pity are those who go and fight their personal glory..

Jon Agius

Mar 1st 2010, 23:31

the only excuse some people come up with is that we are back in the 80s........................ but wait have we really gone back at the 80s compared to other countries???

jfarrugia

Mar 1st 2010, 23:27

@James Grima. Give us a break, We know by now that your so colour blind that even if Gonzi took all your pay you'd still think the sun shines in hell.
Continue paying for the inefficencies of Enemalta which was endoresed by the nationalists and by myslef might i add on my previous votes, but 3 times bitten never again.

F. Debono

Mar 1st 2010, 23:26

Aristotle Demicoli

I am not going to disclose my income because that is simply showing off, However I do agree with your statement 100%

Individuals with their own business earning an above average salary should not be penilised. They have such income due to the effort, time, commitment, risk and originality put into their business, and should not be discriminated upon with preferential tarrifs

Thinking about it, taxation is quite harsh! Corporation tax, income tax & Vat. More than half my earnings go to the gov!

jcamilleri

Mar 1st 2010, 22:39

What a pity! What a disgrace! The MUT tainted by such a rude, base mob. I, and many other members, dissassociate ourselves from such rude and partisan behaviour. Shame! Shame!

A.Psaila

Mar 1st 2010, 22:11

Reading some of the comments below I continue to believe that this protest was a great success. Well done MUT for you are the only union in Malta with no political affinity. Your only goal is to fight for us workers. Some of the PN followers forget that the MUT was in favour of the EU and against the reception class but now its against the unjust electricity and water bills! We teachers are behind you!

mmifsud

Mar 1st 2010, 22:04

@arthur gambin

you are right when u say these protests are useless since the nationalist MP voted as their party instructed not as their constituent's wish
Viv le Democrazie

David Muscat

Mar 1st 2010, 21:56

Hekk hemm bżonn għax dan il-gvern jaħseb li jista jagħmel li jrid binha. Misskhom tistħu tgħajru lil min qed jipprotesta għax intom ukoll qegħdin tbatu imma sforz il-passjoni li għandkhom lejn partit tibqgħu twebbsu raskhom. Aħna l-poplu komuni qed inbatu u s'issa qed nipprotestaw, Jekk ma jsir xejn imbagħad naraw! Imma ċara biejjed li qazzistuna!!

C Borg

Mar 1st 2010, 21:51

Come on Lets Face it. I just got an up to date bill for January and February and believe me theres no big difference from my previous bills. So please stop this and get back to work Mr Zarb and co.

S. Zammit

Mar 1st 2010, 21:49

Shame on the MUT leadership. Dak l istatus li ta qabilkom hadmu tant biex jilhqu, ghal gid tal-professjoni taghkom, il-bierah u llum irnexxielkom izzebilhuh! Misskom tisthu.

C.camilleri

Mar 1st 2010, 21:36

@ James Grima

Mr.Grima. Do you know me and my family? Have we done anything to you? Just who do you think you are to label us rude and arrogant just because we attended a peaceful protest?
Rest assure that I am able to label you with as many adjectives you can ever imagine, but my maturity advise me otherwise.
Shame on you.

odette galea

Mar 1st 2010, 21:33

where is GWU , for individual workers ? Gwu is only there to my stupids protest and take money not for us . show off

lgalea

Mar 1st 2010, 21:22

Arthur Gambin No one is forcing you to take part in the protests. Perhaps you are able to afford the vast increase in tariffs which are due to the incompetence of Gonzi and his government, but the vast majority cannot afford them. Perhaps you should stop monkeying or parroting Gonzi.

James Grima We have a right to protest at your governments incompetence and arrogance like they do in the eu James and if you don't like it too bad because we shall continue to protest as much as is necessary against your incompetent and arrogant Gonzi.

Gianninu Saliba Perfectly applies to the PN Gianninu.

To all the PN apologists komplu inharqu ghax ipprotestajna u se nkomplu nipprotestaw kemm ikun hemm bzonn u mhxu se nahllukom tkomplu tahbu mid-dinja kollha l-inkompetenza u l-arroganza taghkom.

Aristotle Demicoli No wonder that you did not protest and can afford to pay the exorbitant tariffs. Let's hope that the taxman will pay you a call.

John Debattista

Mar 1st 2010, 21:11

DAN GHADU IL BIDU, IL KBIR GHADU GEJ, LA IL GVERN MA IRIDX JISMA IL KARBA TAL POPLU............................

Anthony Pace Gouder

Mar 1st 2010, 21:10

@ Mario Mercieca
I as a TRUE nationalist , see that adjective very lenient , analizing the way HE is handling the Party, the Nation, Cabinet and the Parliamentary Group ! Now we have the AsSISTANTS ,TWINNED to the ministers !.Only in MALTA ! Wahda isbah mill'ohra.
Dawn mhux Purcinellati ?

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 1st 2010, 21:10

By the way...

YES you WILL see me protest on the streets of Valletta the minute these flippin' subsidies are re-introduced by this flimsy government and THAT won't be charade.

Kevin Zammit

Mar 1st 2010, 21:09

@A. Gambin

If you do n ot protest then how else is one going to send a strong message?

Most people including myself are quite happy to pay a fair price but this is not a fair price because we all know that we are subsidizing inefficiency out of our own pockets. For decades enemalta like all other government run entities have acted as some sort of extended social services (or better still 'vote bait') hiring more than required and ignoring actual productivity levels.

Before people in general did not worry too much because inefficiencies were paid out of our taxes and taxes good or bad have to be paid anyway. Now we're being asked to pay more over and above what we already pay in taxes in the form of new tariffs. This is a very dangerous step and we must not allow the government to hide its mismanagement in this manner, otherwise might as well migrate to Greece.

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 1st 2010, 21:04

For everybody's info my income is no secret. I declare all of it to the government and my shareholders every single year... The government makes over €40,000 off my hard earned income and that should be enough!

I've done my share! For the rest of it, I expect fair and equitable treatment.

My Income Tax and NI contributions go to sustain a bunch of couch potatoes watching TV all day long while sucking at the social services or bearing illegitimate kids like cats in heat. I don't even find the time to watch TV myself because I'm working all day long to sustain this nonsense. If anyone is not happy happy with his dole income, s/he has all it takes to do something about it - So stop complaining and start working - HARD!

What I don't accept is wasting more of my tax contribution to subsidize other people's energy and water indulgence! At this rate I'll soon have you argue that Enemalta should be forwarding ME .. YOUR own bills directly!

How about getting your act together and start pulling your own weight for a change!

manuel lia

Mar 1st 2010, 21:02

nahseb dawk li kienu fuq quddiem jghajtu gonzi mafia u purcinell huma il moderati u il progressivi il godda ta malta.isa afdawhom bil poter fidejhom halli jaghmlu aghar milli aghmlu.....bilhaqq.....isthi jekk taf sur bencini......waqqajtilom wiccom lart lill maggoranza tat teachers meta mort fisimom tirraprezenta lit teachers ma dik il marmalja socjalista...isthi...u minn hawn namillek challenge...kun ragel u itlob vot ta fiducja mit teahcers membri tal mut...qas andi dubju ta xi jkun ir rizultat....iva tbiddlu tal mlp....daqs kemm lilma bahar jista jsir ilma helu...daqshekk tbiddlu...ara mhux ta bxejn tliftu fil 1981,1987,1992,1998,2003,u 2008.....25 yrs and counting...

J. Scerri

Mar 1st 2010, 20:59

Whilst one can agree about yesterday's protest, I found today's one as IRRESPONSABLE & USELESS.

First of all, with their 2nd protest in 1 day (what's the point of it then!!) they ruined almost a half day work for most of the shop of Valletta in these troubled times for the retails. Then the most IRRESPONBABLE thing was to do it, while the parliament is carrying it's work.

Now with the GLORIOUS PAST that both the MLP/PL & GWU SUPPORTERS had/have (From EU flag burnings to breaking in the house of Fenech Adami), by making it today at this time is like asking for trouble-making !!

And the most amazing thing is that Mr. Bencini & Dr. Joseph Muscat (people I considered till today of great INTEGRITY)gave their contribute for this PANTOMINE created by Tony Zarb.

And talking about Mr. Bencini, in the past I always defended him in all Industrial Actions he made against this Governments (Although I'm not a teacher, to be clear) because he always safeguarded his members' rights. But after seeing him talking in these 2 days, HE LOST ALL MY RESPECT.

About the GWU then let's talk Italian & say STENDIAMO UN VELO PIETOSO ...

Marlon Brincat

Mar 1st 2010, 20:55

Do you actually expect the people to remain quiet? They are embracing democracy and thus have a right to protest!

The electricity tariffs are there in order to chip in money for the inefficiency of the new hospital which is suppose to be “State of the art” in which Malta has spent millions of Euro and years in its construction, and is now unethically demoralizing its patients.

The Power station, the lack of efficiency of Enemalta and all other scandals that the PN and its present government are embracing; whereby the populace is paying for the government’s burden.

Why do you seem shocked when the crowd shouted “mafia”? It was a civil protest which caused no harm and act of violence. Give the people a voice!

Paul Smith

Mar 1st 2010, 20:52

I am aware that i am a foreigner and dont want to get involved, but to me this protest is all superficial, because i just watched something very true and very profound and the sooner this is told to a wider joe public in a way they understand, then we all have trouble
Dennis Meadows: "Growth versus Development"
http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6209#comments_top
click on the MPEG

Stephen Florian

Mar 1st 2010, 20:49

Is a government which robs its people not rude ? Go hug a tree Mr. James Grima.

Kevin Willie

Mar 1st 2010, 20:40

@ Charlo Sammut & G.Azzopardi

Protests won't give a bad image to any country cause protests are held all over the world. On the other hand a Malta File would definetly hinder govt efforts to attract foreign Investment;
G.Azzopardi-Nispera li bl istess mod tikkundanna lil min kien irid isallab lil Mintoff u kien jghajjar lil Alfred Sant bid difetti fizici tieghu

m. borg (slm)

Mar 1st 2010, 20:35

Even you posters are in disarry, no wonder you came all out against the protest in Valletta you're getting cold feet.

Anthony Farrugia

Mar 1st 2010, 20:27

Il Gahan Malti!!!!

Joseph E Briffa

Mar 1st 2010, 20:17

@ I Abela...people who earn meagre wages have already been exempted from this rise. As many as ONE in FIVE families have been spared this increase. The remaining FOUR/FIFTHS have to carry these families; fair enough. I prefer this arrangement to the subsidies which used to come from tax payers money and every one was happy and wasted energy galore. . Now ALL subsidies have been dismantled; so people have either to pay that little bit extra - Bencini says some Eur 200 a year - to meet rising costs of oil, dismantling of subsidies, the propping up of the 30 000 families (which include people with Mercs and ACs at home), or else cut down on consumption.. But one has to be stupid to believe that MUT are fighting for the interests of teachers/ headteachers who earn some Eur12 000 & can very well afford to spend an extra Eur 200 a year ( a mere 1.66% of their pay) on utility bills. Teachers are no doubt aware that installing SWHs and PVCs will more than contain the rise. Though we are so far practically unscathed, let's not forget that times are hard all over the world.

Tony Muscat

Mar 1st 2010, 20:13

we are back to the ridiculous DANGEROUS 80's! Mur ara kemm thallas taxxi dik tal-ahmar.!!!

Michael Asquith

Mar 1st 2010, 20:09

I find it quite amusing that the theme song of the video is 'Power to the people' - isn't that exactly what the utility company is trying to do? provide power to the people? If anyone really objects, then just say 'NO ' live without power as has been done for thousands of years previously - what's the problem?

smifsud

Mar 1st 2010, 20:04

protests are necessary in this day and age with all the complacent gov in place as protests keeps every one there toes and if the people speak in huge numbers its power to the people ...thats is freedom of speech and DEMOCRACY!!! so Power to the People....

Arthur Gambin

Mar 1st 2010, 19:43

I'm also against this CHARADE! I refuse to take part in this useless protest and I disagree that there should even be a protest. Everybody should pay for what he consumes at market prices---End of Story!---No Pampering Please!!! - We're not kids and the World doesn't owe us a living. I will not vote PN next time - Gonzi is too good with Malta's crybabies. So don't dare call me politically motivated but I disagree with this CHARADE. If the bills are too high - hard luck - consume less or get yourself a fatter job. We're in the same boat. We were all born naked. If subsidies are reintroduced I will also file a Judicial Protest because we have been deceitfully led into spending thousands of euros on the premise that energy would remain an expensive unsubsidized resource. I (and many others) made an investment in solar power on the grounds that it would be ammortized in 6-8 years at current energy rates. If subsidies are reintroduced this becomes a pipe-dream and we would all have been taken for a ride!

James Grima

Mar 1st 2010, 19:38

A rude, arrogant, and the roudy crowd, from a rude, and always loser opposition party.

Mario Mercieca

Mar 1st 2010, 19:37

So the MUT preisdent is being associated with other people calling "Gonzi Pulcinell"......incredible and you expect our backing...my foot, now you can go and ask Tony or Joseph for the increase in allowances, being such good friends I guess they can easily fork out what you require.

J.Pace

Mar 1st 2010, 19:33

@Aristotle Demicoli Good for you if you earn that money, but mentioning that sum in these comments when normal people ( the one with LOW INCOME as you said ) don’t even imagine to earn it, not even in 7 / 8 years of hard work time ! IT is a bit of a show off. For you, paying W&E bill will be peanuts, for this reason you are not protesting as the others ( LOW INCOME PEOPLE ), and then you want the benefit. Benefit for what, to be able to SHOW OFF more with your comments?

Joseph Agius

Mar 1st 2010, 19:24

Just to remind us of the good old days under Labour. This charade is exactly what kept PL in opposition for 20 years. This is the real turn off for moderates. Joseph is not wise enough to realise it....pity no advisors around this time.Thanks to the GWU, PL will remain in opposition for a number of more years! Grazzi Toni!

Mario Bonnici

Mar 1st 2010, 19:22

"Insults were hurled by the demonstrators at Nationalist MPs, with the chanting of 'mafia mafia' and Gonzi purcinell." Don't you remember the treatment former Labour leader Alfred Sant had at University during a debate prior to the last general elections ?

Richard Micallef

Mar 1st 2010, 19:20

Well done Mr Demicoli for making your hard earned 100,000 euros from the businesses you set up. No mean feat in these days of economic slowdown. I just hope for your sake that the taxman didn't read your post

G. Mangion

Mar 1st 2010, 19:15

this clip here reminds me of the late 90's, That is when Mr Dom Mintoff was called a traitor and even was bullied by some exactly on the same spot ( The Parlament ) by his own croud crystal clear that Nothing has Changed and Never will by the plmlp. what a shame. btw, toni is responsabile for his folowers action, Apoloigise for them tony, at least............

Joseph Bonello

Mar 1st 2010, 19:14

If there was ever a doubt that the Labour Party would ever change, it has been dispelled over these two days ........... it's back to the 80's for sure! And who is to guarantee that Mr Joseph Muscat would lower the tariffs?? Your guess is as good as mine.

M.Azzopardi

Mar 1st 2010, 19:12

these are the moderati and progressivi....!!!!!!!!!!

Paul Borg

Mar 1st 2010, 19:12

With all respect to PN hardliners, I respect your opinion on the utility tariffs increase, but you don't need to be Einstein to do the Math. Over a year ago the price of oil reached a record high of 143.oo Dollars a barrell, the water and electricity bills were increased by 17%. Now the price of oil has dropped to less than half of that, taking also in consideration a record weak dollar which make us at an advantage when buying . The bills for utilities have almost doubled and so has gas. I try to be neutral and I will not ask the opposition for an answer, but I do ask the present administration to have some respect for their electorate's intelligence and not to play with it. We need more serious jobs, more tourism, more transparency and less playing around with figures. There is only one Party responsible for the huge national debt, so please ....some respect.

J Busuttil

Mar 1st 2010, 19:07

Does John Bencini of MUT and Paul Pace of MUMN approve the insults hurled at PM Gonzi and PN MPs? If not they should say so.

M. Azzopardi

Mar 1st 2010, 19:06

I never had any doubts on how 'pacific' were, are and will be the Lejber supporters! Shame on you and your insults!

Gianninu Saliba

Mar 1st 2010, 19:05

Was Mintoff at the demonstration? This sounds like his mob. Maybe the crowds came from the '"dockyard' with Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici. Well, the attitude, the arrogance and the insults seem to come from the seventies and eighties. Well, as we say in Maltese, you can chop the pig's tail but you will still have the swine.

Ivan Pirotta

Mar 1st 2010, 19:01

Same old Union, same old faces. GWU is the Poodle of the Labour Party. Gonzi keep up the good work Ivan

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 1st 2010, 19:01

@ Jason Attard The 80s ? Salbu salbu?

M Pace

Mar 1st 2010, 18:58

@Jason Attard Don't you remember what the educated people did to Dr. Sant at the Sir Temi Zammit hall prior to the last election. Some of those people who were chanting today, I am sure, are desperate and barely could make end meets. At least it was only chanting and it was a peaceful demostration, more than we can say about other demostrations in Europe.

mario gellel

Mar 1st 2010, 18:56

The workers have sent a clear message>>> WE ARE NOT A BALL IN NO GOVERMENT'S FOOT. WE DESERVE TO LIVE A DECENT LIFE AND NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THE MISTAKES AND MISMANAGMENT THAT ANY GOVERMENT DOES. NEVER HAVE WE TO RETURN BACK TO THE 60'S, WHEN WE HAD TO BEG FOR FOOD. THAT TIME IS OVER AND DONE WITH.

M. Vella

Mar 1st 2010, 18:54

@ I Abela I agree with you hundred per cent! Donnu xi hadd beda jara lin-nies dubbien! Mr. Demicoli I wish you all the best but please the least you can do is to respect others because when the least you expect it everything can turn upside down. @ Jason Attard - reading your message was like listening to a talking parrot!

A. Borg

Mar 1st 2010, 18:54

Aristotle Demicoli , It's interesting to know how much you declare at the end of the year!

M. Farrugia

Mar 1st 2010, 18:53

thares lejn anglu farrugia biss f'dan il video, tinduna kemm tassew inbiddlu il PL. Komplu paxxuna tal PL ghall gid tal pajjiz

J Farrugia

Mar 1st 2010, 18:53

and yet they say that they are new labour?!?! Halluna. Dawn aghar minn Mintoff. U l-poplu jaghmel tajjeb li jifli sew li dawn taparsi ucuh godda. Gdid mhemm xejn fil-labour u fil-GWU. Dawn kollha jridu jirkbu fuq il-karru tal-poplu biex jiehdu l-poter imma .... fl-Oppozizzjoni ser jibqghu. Tlett snin zgur...iktar ..naraw u niftakru.

M. Farrugia

Mar 1st 2010, 18:49

'They booed when newly-elected Nationalist MP Peter Micallef was sworn-in at the opening of the sitting@. Dawn il moderati tal pajjiz??!! Xghandu xjaqsam Peter Micallef mat tariffi, wiehed jistaqsi. Nahseb sewwa hasbu hafna, dan ir rectar mhu xejn ghajr meeting tal labour.Insomma biex tridhom jeghdew tal labour. Ibqghu sejrin hekk u hemm tibqghu ghall omorkom fl oppozizzjoni. Dan iz zuffjett iwassal biss biex isahhah lil Gonzi u lil PN.

a abela

Mar 1st 2010, 18:45

After seeing these protests, i'm getting more convinced that the nationalists will win the next election.

M Schembri

Mar 1st 2010, 18:42

@A.Demicoli I couldn't have said it better. It's bad enough many of these people probably have free housing gaining their property through some requisition order . They are ignorant enough not appreciate the good life, free education and excellent health standards Malta now offers- bummers that have had it too good relying on freebies , and envious of anyone who have worked for their money and proved themselves .It's now their shot to be in the limelight. Such a shame that they are being encouraged by a political party!!

Anthony Pace Gouder

Mar 1st 2010, 18:42

Aristotle , then why are'nt you also protesting in Valletta with the crowds to-night ?

charlo' sammut

Mar 1st 2010, 18:39

I strongly disagree with this show ,I'll prefare that they join in a talk to find how to solve problems ,the gwu and the other unions have any solutions to this problem or just want to make bad image for the country and stop investment coming to Malta????!!!!!! need answers....

G.Azzopardi

Mar 1st 2010, 18:38

Ghal dawk indecizi kif ser jivvotaw ghal l-elezjoni li tmiss, harsu naqra lejn il-video u l-folla laburista b'attegament barbaru u ftakru li la darba titfaw il-lapes fuq l-ahmar - dik it-tip ta nies ser tkun qed tmexxi.

Eric Gahn

Mar 1st 2010, 18:37

The people have REALLY spoken today. That sound when Gonzi passed was not the wind hitting a microphone.

joseph cassar

Mar 1st 2010, 18:36

This charade has nothung to do with the current issues facing countries, particularly small island states such as Malta and Gozo, it is nothing more than a political smokescreen to bolster the opposition's standing. it would be more useful if Dr Muscat and Tony Zarb used this time to create synergies with government - on the other hand, it does proof one thing...the PL, MLP or Movement PL...are still the same...an organization that builds its arguments by "rent-a-mob" tactics and people who really know little and care less about the real facts behind the energy problems! When in doubt, then they resort to violence and insults...now that is what I call professional politics!!!!!

J.Borg

Mar 1st 2010, 18:36

Nothing has changed with the PL, calling Gonzi Purchinell miskom tisthu. Listess bqajtu.

P. Muscat

Mar 1st 2010, 18:36

I would not see the situation as discriminatory, should every body be entitled to same tariffs based on the latter's consumption. In addition I would not call it a charade, should I pretend same tariffs as those who have only 10% of your income. By all means congrats for all your hard work. However, keep in mind there are other hard workers, who as well have started from nothing, as much as there are others who consider your 100,000 as peanuts and well, should they reason out the way you are, would like to pay asmuch as you do even though they earn what they do

Alexander Pace Gouder

Mar 1st 2010, 18:32

Behind the Thousands in Valletta are many others who cannot attend such activities. Amoung these those who will get the greatest blow by these CRUEL Tariffs. Elderly people living on their own. All middle class citizens. Pensioners (mostly those who have a low pension) Workers with Min.Wage. Hon.Prime Minister these are the People who are crying out "No to these CRUEL Tariffs. " This is the answer to your question of Yesterday"FOR WHAT ARE THESE PEOPLE PROTESTING? " and this is not a politicial Issue. Yesterday there were many , a good percentage,who voted for your Party. CARE FOR THE PEOPLE. HEED HEED HEED.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 1st 2010, 18:29

@ Aristotle Demicoli We are not living in Zimbabwe or the times of Marie Antuanette; this is Malta, a member of the European Union in 2010. We call it a welfare state or a welfare society depending on one’s political inclinations. It appears to me that you know nothing about a caring society, taxation, discrimination and human rights, worst still, you sound too stubborn to allow anybody to convince you that we do not live in a jungle. At least you grabbed the opportunity to show off your €100,000 annual earnings. Incidentally, your human rights are already being violated because you’re paying more income tax than the unemployed, single parents, widows, pensioners, minimum wage earners and a lot of the others too. You should take your sad case to our Constitutional Court.

K.Abela

Mar 1st 2010, 18:29

Yes Mr.Demicoli by staying at home in comfort you are opposing what?

mick gauci

Mar 1st 2010, 18:15

@aristotle its your own business how much u earn !!

Joseph Schembri

Mar 1st 2010, 18:13

I agree with Aristotle Demicoli. The increase in tariffs should not be means tested. It should just punish people who waste resources. Tariffs should rise incrementally so that very basic needs can be within everybody's needs but once thresholds are crossed prices should rise incrementally. Having a hot bath everyday is not a human right. If people really can't make ends meet they can bathe as I remember doing 35 years ago - sponging myself down using nothing more than a basin of warm water, heated on the stove. My present economic condition is my own responsibility. Some years ago I decided to throw out my hardly used dishwasher when I realised how much water, electricity and chemicals it was wasting. I was extremely surprised when a charitable institution offered to take it off may hands so that it could be used (as I understood) by so called single mothers.

I Abela

Mar 1st 2010, 18:11

@ Aristotle Demicoli - Could you decide please? You don't agree with this CHARADE but you want to benefit from a reduction (if any). What kind of logic is this? If you want to benefit from a reduction why didn't you go to protest instead of calling it a charade? Being a business man you should well know that to earn something you should work for it, not wait for someone to work for something and expect to benefit from it too. BTW speaking of business.....this is already the second time in as many days that you boast of €100,000 business. Come on my friend, you're not the only one in business around here, you know? If €100,000 is a figure you are boasting about it is either your first year in business or you should seriously reconsider your business plan. However please be sensible to other people who earn a meager wage and are struggling to make ends meet. These (and any) people have a right to protest without being called names and without being criticised.

J. Debono

Mar 1st 2010, 18:10

In my opinion, enemalta should first and foremost be 100% transparent and should give the real cost of 1Unit (kW) of energy. We should pay for that real cost, not less or more. I do not agree with subsidies, we should pay for what we use. However I do agree with a 'discount', for persons whos consumption is low - to encourage low electricity consumption, and also elevated rates for exceptionally high consumption - to discourage waste.

Jason Attard

Mar 1st 2010, 18:08

"Insults were hurled by the demonstrators at Nationalist MPs, with the chanting of 'mafia mafia' and Gonzi purcinell." No one likes these tariffs in any for or manner... but hey... chanting these words is going back to the 80's SAME OLD STORY !!!

Aristotle Demicoli

Mar 1st 2010, 17:48

I strongly disagree with this charade. In any case, I HOPE that I will be entitled for any reduction in the tariffs like anybody else in this country. I will not accept any preferential treatment (in tariffs) being given to other members of the community on the grounds of income. THIS IS DISCRIMINATION! Yes, I earn well above €100,000 per year from the business which I set up from nothing but this should have nothing to do with the tariffs imposed on me. I will oppose any from of means testing for the purpose of setting utility rates. I will insist that the Constitutional Court ensures that my human rights are safeguarded. I expect to be treated like every other citizen in the country - Not better, BUT certainly not worse! I don't mind that people with low income receive special SEPARATE social assistance. BUT any differences in the actual energy and water tariffs are unacceptable and completely unconstitutional. Having a low income doesn't automatically give anybody the right to balloon their carbon footprint or squander electricity at preferentially low rates.