The Times debate: Is the political crisis over?
If the contribution by the two main political party leaders to The Times’ debate last week is a foretaste of what is to come in the election campaign, the electorate is in for a very trying time.
Unsurprisingly, the Prime Minister is still insisting that an early election is not in the country’s best interest. The Labour leader, on the other hand and predictably, keeps speaking of political instability following Franco Debono’s abstention on a vote of no confidence in the government.
So, is the political crisis over?
Dr Debono does not appear to have relented in his sharp criticism of the government and has made it clear that the crisis will only be over once the “oligarchy” (his favourite word) is dismantled.
Which means what exactly? How many heads does he want on the chopping block?
On the basis of his public declarations and the information made public so far, Dr Debono is very likely to remain a thorn in his party’s side until he feels that his claims are met. Confirmation of Lawrence Gonzi as leader of the Nationalist Party will not make any difference to the political situation as it affects the party and the country.
Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat seemed to be more interested in scoring political points in the debate than in engaging in a meaningful discussion, which was what those present there and the thousands who followed it via timesofmalta.com expected. They did their very best to wriggle out of tight spots and were both highly unconvincing when they were directly asked whether they thought that their respective policies on University students’ stipends and free health care could eventually land Malta into financial trouble.
What is particularly striking is that the politicians’ views on such a vital matter as the sustainability of services that are absorbing so many millions of euros in taxpayers’ money are diametrically opposed to those of the experts, including the International Monetary Fund and other authorities. The leaders’ waffling on this had to be heard to be believed. The gist of the parties’ argument is that this is a matter of evaluating priorities, with the Prime Minister, for instance, saying that the removal of the stipends would upset the educational system.
The Opposition Leader, on the other hand, makes the point that the Administration could make better use of the funds available, accusing the government of wasting money on this or that project.
There is some merit in both arguments. The economy certainly needs skilled workers at all levels and waste ought to be checked all the time not just in difficult financial times. However, the two leaders are missing an essential point here. Why should health care be free to all, even to those who can well afford it? The same argument applies to education. The savings that can be made through means testing would enable the Administration, Nationalist or Labour, to help those who are really in need of financial support and to improve the services where this is required.
However, neither of the two parties is prepared to listen to such talk for fear of losing votes, preferring to look after their narrow partisan political interest first rather than the financial well-being of the country. Proper consideration of the sustainability issue can wait.
Malta will one day pay dearly for the political short-sightedness of the two parties. Unless, that is, they see reasoning in time and correct their policies.
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James McIntosh
Mar 8th, 09:34
HEALTH and EDUCATION are not FREE for anyone. These services are paid from tax money and each pays according to their income, so the poor pay less and the rich pay more as is fair.
Both of the current Party systems are playing political football with these vital services to the population.
With an election in the near future we the people should be asking seroius questions of our elected members as to where the tax collected is spent. For sure it is not the roads or the other services we hold dear, education and health. Justice is a priority, taking sometimes decades to be served and even then the outcome is so vague as to be useless. Policing is generally seen as haphazard and inconsistent. what else is left that is seen as a vital service,
The infrastructure should be cross Party and not a plaything to be pulled one way then another depending as to which Party has the majority , in Parliament and Council.
The people deserve a stable set of rules to live by, not partisan with all its childish Yah, Boo system.
We demand proper Government for ALL the people ALL the time, especially at Local Council level.
Francis Sammut
Feb 17th, 23:48
Mr. Charles Massa I didn't say that at all! I didn't say that those who declare lower income are to have free medical care. On the contrary. What I was talking about in answering to Mr. J. Brincat was not what you declare but what you are earning. For instance professionists like doctors, lawyers etc. have a benchmark, an amount which they must declare whether they do actually earn that income or not is irrelevent. I know that there are many fish in the sea and you can't catch all, but it would be a start and many will be caught!
And about the theatre without a roof and the 500euros (if not more) pay increase the Cabinet gave itself, although it wasn't the subject here, I'm in total agreement with you. Another thing. You need to calm down and try not to generalise across the board. Many people pay income tax including those well -off. There others who do not.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 17th, 15:01
Is the political crisis over? No and it won't be for a long time. By the way Franco Debono is here and he is here to stay. Whether we like to admit it or not, Dr Debono has a big following in the background. Most citizens admire people who challenge a corrupt democracy and Franco Debono is doing just that. Like him, or not he has opened a Pandoras Box and to many he is a hero, I know he is mine, except for the abstaining to vote. Dr Franco Debono has the guts to come out and show what an incompetent court system we have and he also showed us what a corrupt prison system we have. Give the man credit for doing what is right. He sure ruffled the feathers of the GonziPN and that of the whole country. The man is not perfect but then nobody is.
Evarist Saliba
Feb 17th, 10:10
Is it in the interest of any political party to be elected on the stength of promises that cannot be sustained without creating greater problems for its administartion?
There should be no "holy cows" in the administartion of a country.
The idea that any benefit should be entrenched, and preferably improved, and that any other adjustment must be a negative step that should be dismissed, is just daft.
Unfortunately, there are voters and politicians who are daft enough to live in denial until truth hits them in the face.
j brincat
Feb 17th, 09:52
"Why should health care be free to all, even to those who can well afford it?"
How can we really measure who can well afford it? By a 'means test'? How really effective and just will this be?
Do all the Maltese declare ALL that they earn?
Most employees do so cause they no other option? But what about the many others?
It is a well known fact that black economy is buoyant in Malta which in turn means that many are avoiding paying taxes or pay a trickle of what they should actually pay.
So who will end paying up in the end? The salaried employees whose income is in a certain upper bracket! And the very rich will get off the hook as they have been doing for time immemorial.
(jb)
Francis Sammut
Feb 17th, 18:23
Mr. J Brincat, I cannot understand your arguement when you took the editor to task when he asked, ''why should health care be free to all. even to those who can afford it?'' And then you hastened to add, ''How can we really measure who can well afford it? By a means test? How really effective and just will this be?'' And I will answer of course we can, that is the government. It can work the same way for instance when it comes to income- tax. There are those (the well- to- do) who pay higher income-tax. There are those who pay less and those who pay no tax at all. So the government in a way already knows who are the rich among us; who are middle class and those who are less fortunate, so to speak. As The Times correctly said, we cannot continue as it is now with free, medical care to all; free stipends to all students even to those who I may add do not need it; children's allowance given to those who again do not need it. This is not sustainable by any sense of the imagination. We cannot go on like this as if there is no tomorrow! In the end which is not far off, it's going to be pay-back time and we will suffer the consequences like it happenend to much bigger and richer countries, like Greece. If we continue on this road, the day of reckoning is not far off!
Charles Massa
Feb 17th, 19:12
Iddahnix Sur Sammut,
Huma il haddiema biss li jkollhom id dhul taghhom iiddikjarat. Imma certu businessmen u profesjonisti jiddikjaraw il minimum wage jew ftit aktar, u wara tarhom bil Mercedes, bil yacht, residenza ghas sajf u ghax xitwa bil pool, isiefru xi tlett darbiet fis sena. Allura dawn skond int ghax jiddikjaraw ftit fl income tax ghandhom ikollhom servizz tas sahha b xejn u haddiema ghax ma jkollhomx alternattiva ohra iridu ihalsu ghal kura fi sptar. Wara kollox ahna ghal hekk inhalsu bagatella taxxi biex dawn is servizzi ikunu b xejn. Il gvern jista inaqqas mil ispejjez zejda li ghandu bhal tijatru bla saqaf, zieda ta euro 500 fil gimgha li Gonzipn u shabu. u l partita safar lejn Bruxxels li normalment isir biex certu nies imorru holiday minn fuq dar il poplu