Has our society succumbed to the mentality of the ‘here and now’? Are we all suffering from the instant gratification syndrome?

All social indicators point to the affirmative. We drink instant coffee. We follow breaking news coverage. We expect prompt replies to our e-mails. Our Western society seems to have ‘lost’ the value of time. While nature takes it time, we have no time to lose. Time is considered too precious. Children and adults alike crave permanent instant gratification.

But while we show impatience for waiting, little importance is given about how we are going to achieve our desired gratifications.

For some, this is a trivial issue or a petty ethical-moral concern. Some may argue that nowadays it boils down to the fact that the means justify the end.

It is not important how we are satisfied. What is of utmost importance is that we are.

Cutting corners to reach one’s desires is being considered as the only way forward. The processes in between are of no importance. In doing so, are we risking losing the high moral ground?

Can this lead to the erosion of our ethical values and create a moral vacuum? Are we succumbing to the mentality that anything goes as long as we are satisfied and happy?

Although all the above can be extrapolated to various life situations, it is becoming evident that this is how the current government is administrating our country – through cutting corners.

This might be a subjective assessment but we are all witnessing stories of how the current government is cutting corners to reach its desired objectives.

How can Joe Public trust the administration? Is the government sacrificing principles over its desire for power and popularity?

On one side, cutting down on excessive red tape is desirable and commendable. No one can really argue with this. On the other hand, established protocols, standards and procedures, which are considered as the necessary checks and balances to safeguard transparency and accountability – two cornerstone Labour Party electoral pledges – are vital to a healthy functional democracy.

Without such assurances, how can Joe Public trust the administration? Is the government sacrificing principles and values over its desire for power and popularity? The government seems to be constantly impatient, constantly utilising its slick marketing edge to justify its way of doing things.

We all know by now that the government had no problem in paying a hefty sum to get back Café Premier in Valletta. So long as the said property is returned to the State and the businessman involved is satisfied, all is well and good.

To justify the giving away of ODZ land at Żonqor to the Jordanian developer, no serious environmental impact assessment was deemed as necessary.

In anchoring a gas tanker in the middle of Marsaxlokk bay, so as to justify the sustainability of the new power station, no serious maritime and health risk assessments were commissioned.

In promoting party faithful to senior positions within the public service and other government entities, no public calls were issued. Qualifications and work experience were not considered of more value than being trusted within the Labour inner circles – meritocracy was another electoral pledge, remember?

The classic example was the appointment of an 18-year-old as director. Now, the latest is that the government is exempting development on hospital grounds from any environmental impact study or from Mepa scrutiny. Thatthis might breach EU directives is not hindering the government from moving on.

I am sure that the said private investor is more than happy about this well-timed accommodation. On the other hand, in almost stampede mode, Labour Party core sympathisers, particular shady and over ambitious business people, particular ‘cowboy’ construction developers, are being served with ‘instant coffee’.

Waiving established procedures, lowering standards, issuing tailored-made vacancies and accommodating policies are too many to go unnoticed. All these ‘Labour Party beneficiaries’ are becoming instantly rich and powerful. Is this the so-called ‘new middle class’ which we were promised?

In doing so, is the government then losing its moral ground? By accommodating all their demands, is the government reinforcing the mentality that anything goes as long as all ends well? What about the common good? The government must not contribute to a moral-ethical degeneration. If this happens, then we have a moral-ethical vacuum.

And what about Joe Public? Well, Joe is obliged to pay his dues, abide by and follow all established laws, as a law abiding citizen ought to do.

For some, coffee comes instantly. Others can only wait and smell the coffee.

Albert Buttigieg is a Nationalist Party candidate and local councillor in St Julian’s.