Monday, 5th January 2009
ON THE GLORY ROAD
So there I was, sitting in the car, in the rain, waiting for the missus to do whatever it is she does when buying stuff – it must be a guy thing, I generally walk in to the shop, ask for the thing I want, pay and walk away.
Which might explain why I don’t always get what I want. It must be a guy thing.
Anyway, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I was able to have a bit of a surf, using my smartphone, which is so smart it actually figured out I was taking it back to the people who sold it to me, as a precursor to flinging it off the nearest cliff, it having stopped doing whatever it was supposed to do with emails just before year’s end. It suddenly started doing whatever it was supposed to do, leading me to the conclusion that perhaps the problem lay in other quarters, not with the beast itself.
Most of the bookmarks I have and use relate to media and news outlets, and L-Orizzont is one of them. Monday’s edition carried an opinion piece by one Saviour Cassar, titled “The Road to Glory” and it was an interesting piece.
His premise was that this is a vital – nay, decisive - year for Labour (no, I won’t call it PL, doesn’t work for me) because of the MEP elections.
Life and death and all manner of emotive stuff was trotted out, presumably for the effect of geeing up Labour’s candidates and making sure that they do a good job. Mr Cassar harked back to the 2004 edition of these particular electoral games and referred to his position then, which seems to have been that those elections were “life or death” for the Labour Party.
This is the first interesting point: if the 2004 MEP elections were “life or death” for Labour and they won those elections (which they did), how come they then died a death in the 2008 General Elections?
What would have happened had they lost the MEP elections, would the party have disbanded and ceased to exist, except as a corpse for burial? So what does “life or death” mean, in the context of the MEP elections. Not a heck of alot, I’d have to say, frankly. Labour won but then lost, so if the 2004 MEP elections gave them something, it may have been life, but not as we know it, Jim.
Mr Cassar went on to deliver a stirring exhortation to all the candidates that will be contesting in Labour’s name, rallying them with slogans and pleas that seem to have something of the desperate within them.
I’m not sure why he’s worrying.
Quite honestly, it’s been a given that Labour will get 3 out of the 5 available slots for quite some time now – it’ll be one year into the PN’s five-year stretch, the economy will still be trundling along towards hell in a handbasket and anyone with even the smallest of tiny axes to grind will be looking to bury it in Gonzi’s figurative neck, an exercise they would be less than eager to do if it meant that Labour would get into real power.
Don’t take my word for it, just take a look at the history of elections over the last couple of decades.
In every poll that mattered, the Nationalists beat Labour, by tons or by ounces, whatever, but they won. In the polls about nothing much in particular, Labour generally got the nod, though even then it wasn’t always the case.
So Labour will probably get the edge, again, this time and, therefore, I have to ask: what, pray, is Mr Cassar so exercised about?
Does he really think that the upcoming MEP election will be such a close-run and important thing that if Gonzi doesn’t prevail, he’ll have to give thought to foregoing the next four years and giving Joe Muscat the keys to Castille?
Or is this a case of Mr Cassar knowing something that we on the outside don’t know?
In other words, are the wheels about to come off the Labour wagon (again) and are they going to prove themselves to be unelectable even now?
From a fervent Nationalist point of view (and from a Labour one, for that matter) every election is an important one and I’ve no doubt both camps will be doing their utmost to put one over the other side, but the rest of us are realists and it is clear that something pretty extraordinary will have to happen to reverse the 2004 result.
If it is – pretty miraculously - reversed, then perhaps Mr Cassar’s prophecy that it will mean the death of Labour will come true, but if it is not, it’s hardly likely to be the end of the world for the PN, because it will not be much of a surprise. In footballing terms, it’s Labour’s to lose: but snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is not a feat they haven’t ever pulled off, when you think about it.
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Comments
I MYSELF AM THE LIVING PROOF OF ALL I SAID IN MY PREVIOUS COMMENT! Of course, I won't name the many others for the time being. I assure, that like myself there are others , who know much more then you can ever imagine or try to hide.
Anyhow the less said the better because it won't help the present dreadful situation, where the elite are the 'chosen few'!
So please Mr Martinelli stop giving half truths and misinformation. You are too biased to give us the truth.
Prove any of the accusations you made and you will find that all allegations are false.
On the other hand the NP has documentary evidence in film, photos, interviews AND PLENTY OF VICTIMS TO ATTEST ALL THAT YOU TRY TO DENY!
When you referred to the MLP thugs why didn’t you mention “L-IMQARBIN” ( better still KRIMINALI) and “tal-Gaketta Blu” ( ALL WELL ARMED) that were present at every polling station and counting hall. I wonder why you missed such IMQARBIN!
Quoting you: “tired of tyranny, injustice, corruption, high unemployment and uncontrolled favours by ministers to friends and friends of friends” …. IS THIS NOT THE PRESENT SITUATION WE ARE LIVING TODAY?!!! MAYBE MUCH WORSE!!
I know you live in the past and your cries of Vendettas are your priorities but half truths are worse them misinformation.
Finally we live the present and trying NOT to repeat past mistakes is our priority, which certainly isn’t in the books of the present administration. FOOD FOR THOUGHT Mr Martinelli!
“Like everyone-else, I am still not in possession of the five light bulbs promised by the PN."
Joe you can’t have Part two unless you have Part One. I suggest you go back and read both parts of my contribution. You will find that your snippet was an excerpt of a letter sent to The Times by Mr. Gauci-Cunningham. As a matter of fact that ‘Part two’ was all part of the same letter.
Thanks for the laugh.
PS. Machiavelli wasn’t such a nice personality and our Prime Minister deserves better than being compared with him. Dr. Gonzi is a fine fellow, I mean it wholeheartedly, definitely no Machiavelli.
One sentence says it all. "I don’t mind if you apologise for your uncalled for sarcastic remarks".
If you cannot stand being gently ribbed about trivial things, then a career in dramatic arts, is out of the question!
I should have learned a long time ago that I should not joke with someone who cannot take it.
Good thing the Moderator censored the last part of the last sentence.
By the sounds of it, you could have sued me!
Thanks Moderator.
"Charles J Buttigieg (21 hours, 45 minutes ago)
Part Two.
Like everyone-else, I am still not in possession of the five light bulbs promised by the PN."
There you go Charles. You are raising the fact the you like everyone else have not received the energy savers.
“My reply: Good for you. Then stop complaining about the energy saving light bulbs and do your good deed when you receive them without any fanfare. Lots of people do charitable work/deeds without announcing it the whole world. Guess, others do. Sorry, My apologise”
Please remind me where and when I complained about the light bulbs? Are you sure about what you are saying?
Part Two;
“You are anxious now to get Energy saving light bulbs. Oh, I see the Pl is no longer ridiculing the idea. Just hold your horses, you will get them in time.” (Sic)
I’ll send the coupons to somebody in need when I receive them, I don’t need charity.
My reply: Good for you. Then stop complaining about the energy saving light bulbs and do your good deed when you receive them without any fanfare. Lots of people do charitable work/deeds without announcing it the whole world. Guess, others do. Sorry, My apologise
“Charles, Governments are not thier to win beauty contests, they are there to Govern” (Sic)
Governments are elected to satisfy the will of the majority.
My reply: Are you sure? So Government should pass legislation for the sole purpose of satisfying the majority. Then what are you complaining about, if not mistaken you belong in the minority.
I submit to you that Governments are there to provide good Governance, and yes, at times unpopular legislation and measures are the order of the day in the course of any legislation,
Part One;
“Did I understand you correctly, Joseph Muscat is democratic, and Alfred Sant is not? “(Sic)
No you did not.
My answer: Then on what you are basic your premise that Joseph Muscat will resign.
It is ironic how you omitted the PL in your list of those opposing the Government on the electricity/water tariffs” (sic)
No it is not ironic; it’s silly to state the obvious.
My reply: Or it had to do more that with the fact that the Social Partners scooped the issue from underneath Joseph Muscat and the PL feet. Or it could be that Joseph Muscat do indeed agree with the Government and all that one event of a demonstration was only theatrics,
“But yet you are asking Gonzi to call an election because someone wrote in The Times and complained. By your measure will be having an election every month” (sic)
You should know that this is a misrepresentation of facts.
My reply: Only in your imagination.
@ Joe Vella.
I suggest you read again my contribution which you are referring to.
“Did I understand you correctly, Joseph Muscat is democratic, and Alfred Sant is not? “(Sic)
No you did not.
“It is ironic how you omitted the PL in your list of those opposing the Government on the electricity/water tariffs” (sic)
No it is not ironic; it’s silly to state the obvious.
“But yet you are asking Gonzi to call an election because someone wrote in The Times and complained. By your measure will be having an election every month” (sic)
You should know that this is a misrepresentation of facts.
“You are anxious now to get Energy saving light bulbs. Oh, I see the Pl is no longer ridiculing the idea. Just hold your horses, you will get them in time.” (Sic)
I’ll send the coupons to somebody in need when I receive them, I don’t need charity.
“Charles, Governments are not thier to win beauty contests, they are there to Govern” (Sic)
Governments are elected to satisfy the will of the majority.
Satisfied? Any more questions?
@ J Martinelli.
It’s not that I’m trying to hide my identity but I think it’s impertinent to ask people about their personal lives. When I feel like publishing my status I would do that voluntarily.
In my last contributions (where I sent Part One twice erroneously) I think that it was clear that I was referring to a letter in the Times by a different contributor. For ethical reasons I did not mention the person by name.
Go to The Times (Friday 9 Jan 2009) Letters. ‘Bills are daylight robbery (1)’by Albert Gauci Cunningham.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090109/letters/bills-are-daylight-robbery-1
I don’t mind if you apologise for your uncalled for sarcastic remarks.
"Will the PL hold a leadership review as well every time someone writes to the Editor and complains as well about Joseph Muscat.” My answer is an obvious no but if the wind changes directions and Joseph Muscat loses the support of the PL party members and supporters then yes Joseph Muscat is democratic enough and without a shadow of doubt would resign. How could anybody ask such a question after the examples of KMB and Alfred Sant and the refusal to step down by GBO and JPO?"
But yet you are asking Gonzi to call an election because someone wrote in The Times and complained. By your measure will be having an election every month.
Did I understand you correctly, Joseph Muscat is democratic, and Alfred Sant is not?
You are anxious now to get Energy saving light bulbs. Oh, I see the Pl is no longer ridiculing the idea. Just hold your horses, you will get them in time.
It is ironic how you omitted the PL in your list of those opposing the Government on the electricity/water tariffs.
Charles, Governments are not thier to win beauty contests, they are there to Govern,
You asked what to do vis-a-vis the horrendous electricity bills, "Switch the fridge off? Give up chatting on MSN so as to use the PC less? Stop baking pies which take so long to cook in an electric oven?" Not a bad idea at all ! Imagine, one less pie a week means less cholesterol, losing a pound or two a month and at the same time save on electricity!
Another confession of yours got me thinking -"The bill I received states that in the weeks in question, for some of which I was barely at home due to the nature of my job..." Really ? Are you still working? For some reason I thought that you are retired, but then I was only guessing.
If not retired, how do you find all the time to respond to comments here and elsewhere?
Calculations are subject to different interpretations by different people but a perfect ‘like with like comparison’ can’t be disputed so easily; just before Xmas, Water Services Corporation gave us the shocking news that the annual rent for our Electricity meter, went up from Euro 28 per year to Euro 195 per year. That represents a sinful increase of 697%. The consumption new rates are too complex to be quoted while the extent of the new tax on drainage is still to be advised. It hurts more when one considers the fact that the price of fuel had, prior to the utilities immoral increases, taken a nose dive.
In answer to your question “Will the PL hold a leadership review as well every time someone writes to the Editor and complains as well about Joseph Muscat.” My answer is an obvious no but if the wind changes directions and Joseph Muscat loses the support of the PL party members and supporters then yes Joseph Muscat is democratic enough and without a shadow of doubt would resign. How could anybody ask such a question after the examples of KMB and Alfred Sant and the refusal to step down by GBO and JPO?
All the trade unions in Malta, all the constituted bodies, NGOs, hard line PN supporters and practically all, yes practically all, the people in Malta are against the way the utilities affair is being forced down our throat and- we are trying to boil it down to just a letter or two in the press!?
Like everyone-else, I am still not in possession of the five light bulbs promised by the PN. The bill I received states that in the weeks in question, for some of which I was barely at home due to the nature of my job, I used 2,450 units and therefore I am not entitled to any eco-reduction.
What I'd like to know is what exactly does one have to do to get an eco-reduction? Switch the fridge off? Give up chatting on MSN so as to use the PC less? Stop baking pies which take so long to cook in an electric oven? It might sound silly but that's what I was left to think to myself as soon as I received the water and electricity bill which I consider to be daylight robbery, not so much due to the amount but because a good part of the increase will only go to finance waste and inefficiencies!
Well, like all the rest I am resigned to pay this bill and consider it as Lawrence Gonzi's gift to all those who thought that good governance and togetherness would be the PN's landmarks in this legislature. Thanks a million
Will the PL hold a leadership review as well every time someone writes to the Editor and complains as well about Joseph Muscat.
Someone who lives in four room apartment, lit by four light bulbs, basic necessities, an oven (electric or gas?), fridge, washing machine and a PC who claims that he cannot afford to pay his electric bills must be:retired or unemployed, not receiving any pension/government assistance or he is grossly exaggerating. By the way, he did not say how much more he is or will be paying with the new rates.
I used the 'Rates calculator' available on-line and plugged in all kinds of numbers, high and low, one or three occupants and no matter what number of units I used, the end result never seemed to exceed more than 10% increase over the old rate. For electricity I plugged in 2000 units - same result.
The gentleman who wrote should have specified the number of units he uses each year both for water and electricity and the difference would have been calculated with ease.
BTW where is Part 1 Charles ? Or is it Part 2 we are missing?
Please tell us that you were just kidding!
DEMOCRACY and CONSTITUTION are indeed two words with a DIFFERENT meaning.
Try your dictionary and get an idea!
The issue in 1981 had nothing to do with the Constitution, although as later amended it did away with certain anomalies which existed until then. It had to do with gerrymandering combined with poll stations manned by MLP thugs intimidating voters as they went in to cast their vote. Now deny that.
The MLP 'decided' to change the Constitution (Ivan G M) not because it was the obvious thing to do but rather because in EFA they saw an unrelenting leader of the Opposition and his multitude of followers who were able and ready to reclaim democracy and the orderly governing of our nation. The rest is history.
With or without the amendments, 1987 would have seen a Nationalit government anyway, because people were sick and tired of tyranny, injustice, corruption, high unemployment and uncontrolled favours by ministers to friends and friends of friends. That's why!
The following is a letter to The Times (todays). Perhaps the contributor may expand a little to tell us whether when he wakes up in the morning he sees the same picture of Dr. Gonzi as he had seen during election time. Others should need to plug enough courage to stand up and get counted. The essence of democracy is governance supported by the majority, relative or absolute. Time has come for Dr. Gonzi to reassess the situation and maybe go through the test of an early election. That and only that would be the celebration of a true democracy.
“I am the only occupant of my apartment which has no more than four rooms with four light bulbs, one of which is energy saving, and all the basic necessities a modern home would have - oven, fridge, a PC and an environmentally-friendly washing machine (on which we are all still awaiting the subsidy promised to us since last August). I don't have roof space which means that solar power is just not possible and with the higher utility bills tumble driers are just out of the question.
Suspending the Constitutional Court was no threat. It was a reality.
The fact that Democracy in Malta was threatened is also a fact. When the Institutions of a Democratic country are attacked that is a direct threat to Democracy.
Perhaps, if it wasn't for EFA, Malta would belong to a club of nations the likes of Chavez's Venezuela, Castro's Cuba, and Kim Jong-il North Korea, instead with the respected European Leaders.
There is nothing perverse in the results of the last election either. The Party that got the majority of the casted votes is governing in accordance with the Constitution.
I do not find it weird that Martinelli and others quote the constitution the way it fits them and see it differently from all others.
May I ask Martinelli & company if it was/not was a real threat when the Present President EFA and his ‘loving team’ refused to have their seats in Parliament after the PERVERSE RESULT they so ‘glorify ‘ in their writings???????? Was it a threat to democracy when EFA and his ‘white doves’ tried to create a ‘state within a state’???? Was it a threat when EFA and his 'loving followers' tried so many 'illegal means ' to topple the legal/constitutional adminstration then????
Martinelli and his likes ( + l-imqarbin) should be in the forefront in crying for another change in our constitution and not to have another repetition of the perverse result we had at the last general election.
Indeed what a shame on those who define ‘whatever’ as it fits them personally.
One cannot compare the outcome of the 1981 Election results with those of 2008, for the simple reason that the rules now and then are not the same.
As for the Constitution it was and still is the highest law of the land.
Charles you wrote; '........the sad fact remains that the majority of people in the street do not want a PN government.'
You are not right in your conclusion either. A more and appropriate conclusion to reflect what transpired would have been; The fact is that the majority of people, THAT VOTED, did not want a PN Government.
Just a few questions, if I may be so bold:let us go back to BEFORE 198.1As you know the CONSTITUTION was (in those days) the HIGHEST law of the land.
q1) Was the constitution drawn up:
a) by MLP alone
b) by PN alone
c) by both side and sealed in PARLIAMENT(before it became a theatrical farce overruled by Brussels that is...)
To save time, I think that even a PN fanatic would agree that the answer was (C), however being one you may wish of course to distort/disagree with that.
Q2) When therefore Labour won the election in 1981, which LAW did it break to do so?(please state EXACT law)
Was it not a legitimate government according to the law of the land?
So where is your complaint exactly?
Nevertheless, MLP agreed to CHANGE the law to make it fairer (without knowing the internal MLP history, you will not of course see this!).
Q3) Now, when in 2008 the PN did NOT get majority vote, (You neatly forget that 48.3%+48.4% does NOT make 100%!! Therefore majority NOT achieved!), will the PN be man enough to also do something about this PERVERSE result?
Answers please.
@ Chris Ripard
In 1981 49 % of the voters voted Labour and 51 % voted PN but faithful to a Constitution drafted and enacted by a previous PN government, Labour governed on the rules of that constitution. The PN objected to the results of a game played with their own rules and the MLP agreed to change the rules of the game. Wasn’t that a most altruistic and democratic act by the MLP?
In 2008 143, 468 49.3% voted PN
141,888 48.79% voted MLP
3,810 1.31% voted AD
1,461 0.50% voted AN
The remaining 0.01 % voted Independents.
This translates to 50.7 % voted against PN however although common sense and our democratic constitution allow the PN to govern, the sad fact remains that the majority of people in the street do not want a PN government.
Moral of the story: should you believe people who, for their own agenda, have no qualms about turning the truth on its head?
More of the same, huh ?
The government is on a steady course. The LP and its followers are in a panic mode - more gloom and doom. The circumstances in Malta are not anywhere near the crisis facing many countries. Obama just announced that the USA lost 2,6000,000 jobs in 2008. Canada lost 34,000 jobs just last month.
How many jobs did Malta lose (net) all last year? Why predict a catastrophe when none is in sight? Difficulties yes, some job losses are inevitable but must we abandon ship at the first sign of a storm, throw caution to the wind and throw money at perceived problems? The government prefers investment - something which will realize a return in the future not repeat another white elephant like the Shipyards were at a tremendous cost to the taxpayer.
For once, just once, be objective in your comments. Doing battle with me is fun for you and me, but when you discuss national issues, leave artificial crisis out of it and be serious for a change. Make comparisons but don't mix apples with oranges.
No two problems are alike, so no one solution fits all.
Mr Martinelli,
I came across the following that you may find of further interest:
Free money! U.S. slashes interest rates close to 0% in battle against depression
By Daily Mail Reporter
17th December 2008
The U.S. Federal Reserve shocked the world last night by slashing its benchmark interest rate close to zero and declaring it would pump out vast amounts of cash to businesses and consumers in a bid to beat recession.
The central bank set the official rate to between zero and 0.25 per cent. Experts say the move could be copied within months by the Bank of England.
Any comments please?
Amazingly, you suggest that I should follow what is actually happening on the world scene, suggesting that interest rate reduction is some kind of suicide.
BBC
The Bank of England slashed its benchmark interest rate to AN ALL TIME LOW ( my cap) Thursday in an aggressive bid to shore up an economy battered by recession and the global credit crunch.
The new rate of 1.5%, down half a percentage point, is THE LOWEST IN THE BANK's 315-YEAR HISTORT (my cap)
need I continue?
>Doesn't that prove my point?
Is your point that I should be providing solutions?!!
Its the Govt that should be doing so not I, after promising us all that it would...
>... you are NOT the government and thank heavens for that and that is the reason why the government makes decisions
Agreed 100% and that is what I'm asking for....sigh!
So far,I have not heard ANY suggestion from it as to the way forward....
>.. the government does not need your approval either.
Of course it does!
Are you now saying that the PN party can propose things in a pre-election manifesto, or a PN govt form a budget...and then not stick to it??
(Rules not applicable to MLP of course!)
Whatever next??
Are you serious?
>In the meantime, you have four years and a bit to take a long nap
I leave naps to those who let things go by.
I,on the other hand, work hard for my future.
Thankfully, I do not need this govt to "provide" me with mine.
Regrettably, however not everyone is in the same position, which does not let
this govt off the hook from its obligations and promises.
Your responses are so cute.
You remain elusive, slick and answer questions with yet more questions.
"YOU present us with solutions
I do not have to-I am NOT the govt."
Doesn't that prove my point? And double spaced to boot!
We all know you are NOT the government and thank heavens for that and that is the reason why the government makes decisions, like it or not, and delivers what it believes to be the best for the country. And since you (and your beloved party) do not have or want to offer solutions, the government does not need your approval either.
In the meantime, you have four years and a bit to take a long nap before you cast your next vote which, in your opinion, will give the LP some real clout. But usually while napping, one often has vivid dreams.
Read my comments addressed to Ivan Grech Mintoff and try to comprehend the contents. You will find that it addresses most of your questions.
You should spend a few minutes on the 'net and find out what other countries are going through and what solutions, if any, they came up with. Moreover, you cannot judge tax reductions as solutions, otherwise the simplest thing for a government to do is just that, but I see no great following for your kind of thinking by foreign governments.
You cannot reduce interest rate to almost zero! There is no faster way of weakening the banking system! You really want that, resulting in banks begging the government for handouts just to stay afloat and putting your investments in jeopardy?
Think through the consequences of adopting what you propose.
The Govt took on the responsability to look after and IMPROVE our economy, whilst telling us that we are "f'par idejn sodi"....remember?
Read the PN manifest.
>YOU present us with solutions
I do not have to-I am NOT the govt.
Its the Govt's job to do that, not mine!
>but you shall remain silent because a recession has to go through its natural painful cycle.
I shall NOT remain silent but demand what I was PROMISED, thank you very much!
> No one with a perfectly working fridge (as an example), goes out and buys a new one, just to help the economy.
Not asking for that....
>Maintaining jobs is very difficult in this situation as much as the Americans are finding out.
Then the govt shouldn't promise us "a bright future" should it??
>This is a load of you know what!
Unfortunately, yes it is!
Hence my complaint.
BTW now isn't there plenty of more INTERESTING things to talk/blog(sic!) about other than
"what Cassar said"...and "I had such a lovely meal in 'ABC' restaurant"?
;)
200words limit means bottom-line:
1. This is not your 70s/80s recession...this is a depression
2. it will not go away in a few months...it will take years and we shall come out the other end on a different platform
3. The west can look at two precedents...the 30s and the japan crises
4. resulting from these two experiences the drill in prevailing circumstances is as follows:
i. reduce interest rates to nearly zero to give levereged busines a fighting chance even if new business will enjoy little benefit, plus give some breathing space to home owners who retain some kind of income
ii. ease tax burden
iii. undertake public projects
Now where does our government stand?
Too depressing to continue but will try:
i. knowing that 'qed iberraq', had no qualms in repeating the 1996 arukaza of producing an incredible deficit on the eve of elections...in these circumstances, Gonzi's victory is nothing short of poetic justice no matter how silent the quarters who would, given different circumstances, be screeming hoarse 'record defit'
ii. capital projects : this government is 'ideas dead' Parliament on old-theater site?
iii. reducing tax etc...I hold latest energy bill ...and dispair for my country...
One comment, you are absolutely right that what is needed is SALES and sales create JOBS. Exactly!
If no one across the world is buying, then orders for 'SGS Thompson, Financial sector etc.' will diminish. Diminished sales means diminished jobs. The Malta government cannot, on its own, persuade the world to by more cars, more electronics and borrow more to buy cars and homes! YOU present us with alternate solutions, but you shall remain silent because a recession has to go through its natural painful cycle. No one with a perfectly working fridge (as an example), goes out and buys a new one, just to help the economy.
Maintaining jobs is very difficult in this situation as much as the Americans are finding out. They lost over a million jobs and they are throwing a TRILLION dollar 'rescue plan'. The problem with this plan is that it will not render results for at least six months after implementation, by which time the recession cycle will be half way through. Then, when things approach normalcy, the government can proclaim that the rescue package saved the day.
This is a load of you know what!
5) It is NOT opposition/media stopping the doom & gloom that will make our economy healthy...
it is JOBS
and SALES
...none of which seem to be on the up presently.
And I don't mean a few workers employed in building a new city gate or whatever, but something that feeds the whole nation: tourism, SGS Thompson, Financial sector etc.
Any news as to what is happening to strengthen (or at least maintain!) these rather than letting them go to the dogs too?
> The government can only address home grown issues and it can only create Capital works programmes like the City Gate project which will employ workers who may otherwise be redundant.
Utterly disagree!!
see above.
Ultimately, just like in the 70s & 80's, btw, when the world was also going through a huge recession (and Malta hardly even had an infrastructure!!), the buck stops with the govt, which accepted responsibility for the nation's WELL BEING.
Just like the coach of a team,it is no use blaming it on the other teams,pitch,the ref or whatever.
You chose the job.
Your responsibility and no excuses.
Well,at LEAST tell us your plan of action!!
1) >First of all two wrongs never make one right -
I agree.
..so why use the argument:
"Did it stop KMB in 1981?"
when asked:
"May I ask if a relative majority really gives GonziPN the right to impose on the majority the tantrums he experiences every time he tries to go to sleep?"
2) > you have to have two wrongs in order to use this argument.
you have to have 2 wrongs to say something is wrong...?
3)> Secondly, no one ever claimed that Malta is Utopia...
Don't you READ the papers and what the ministers tell us???
Even our Chris Ripard claims (right here) that we have huge investment coming into the country, surely! And you know that people only invest in sound projects right?
4) > Thirdly, I hope that Malta does not copy exactly what other countries are doing...
Personally, I hope someone does SOMETHING.....
Now not when it is too late!!
Any idea as to what is being done?
You should now ask your GONZIPN, if/when the constitution is to be changed and not to have a PERVERT result as last election? Maybe your definition of Democracy is too biased to accept that constitutional need.
What was wrong then is wrong now! That I strongly believe in.
HOW CAN YOU EVER JUSTIFY A WRONG BY ANOTHER WRONG?
@ Martinelli …. The above fits you too.
Shame on both of you.
First of all two wrongs never make one right - but you have to have two wrongs in order to use this argument. The present government is legitimate even if elected by a slim majority and there was no gerrymandering as what happened in 1981.
Secondly, no one ever claimed that Malta is Utopia as much as other countries are not. The NP does not go in the streets proclaiming that everything is running like a Swiss watch. I used this example since in LP's minds Swiss and Switzerland are deeply embedded in its fantasies.
Thirdly, I hope that Malta does not copy exactly what other countries are doing, starting with the USA, by going into huge deficits in an attempt to kick start the economies. If the media and certain opposition parties stop preaching doom and gloom, people will not be afraid to buy big ticket items, thus keeping employment at acceptable levels.
The government can only address home grown issues and it can only create Capital works programmes like the City Gate project which will employ workers who may otherwise be redundant.
Using double spacing between single sentences is, by the way, almost idiotic.
>Why are you so sensitive these days?
I'm not - its just lately, when someone mentions the present, you automatically mention the past.
In a bad light of course!
You do this,it seems as a way to 'justify' the present.
Hence my questions to you.
>Living in the past, you accuse me? Not too distant past. I can still hear Jason et al proclaiming that 'we will be a government for the Laburisti!"
There you go again, you see!
We're not too bothered about what was said in the past (I don't keep mentioning what Eddie said in 1987 to Ghaddafi, for instance).
There's enough to comment about in the present.
You went on about whoever is in govt rules etc:no question about it!
I agree.
Now care to answer what I actually asked about ?
So tell me (as you did not answer):
1) do two wrongs make a right in your book?
2) we still living in heaven (in your book) or are we in trouble?
3) If we're in trouble, what is present govt doing to prevent the predicted sharper downward spiral in 2nd quarter of 2009?
Care to answer the above directly?
Stay warm, btw!
". . . are the wheels about to come off the Labour wagon (again) . . "
The wheels have come off so many times they might as well turn it into a sleigh.
First of all when Muscat Peter said, "May I ask if a relative majority really gives GonziPN the right to impose on the majority the tantrums he experiences every time he tries to go to sleep?" I am quite sure he had his tongue firmly embedded in his cheek as was his comment about ABC. So were my comments. Why are you so sensitive these days?
If we were to doubt Peter Muscat's and your leanings, then we would be missing a screw or two and the same applies for doubting my leanings and ABC's.
The fact remains, like it or not, that in a democracy, whoever forms the government rules the roost. I don't see you and any Lejber supporters return any tax savings or refuse handouts when the government is in a position to do so. That is because the government does not cater only to those who voted it in. It governs for EVERYBODY - not just for Nationalists.
Living in the past, you accuse me? Not too distant past. I can still hear Jason et al proclaiming that 'we will be a government for the Laburisti!"
Ah! another one who likes to live in the past...
or rather to use the past to justify the present!
JM let's for the sake of argument agree with you that in 1981 KMB imposed "on the majority the tantrums he experiences every time he tries to go to sleep"...
q1 was it wrong for KMB to do so in 1981?
q2: Does that therefore make it ok for GonziPN to do so now?
Do two wrongs make a right?
q3: And if it is ok for GonziPN to do so now..... wasn't therefore KMB right to do so then????
so..... what's your problem?
Are you seriously justifying that as (in YOUR book) someone did something wrong then its ok for someone else to do the SAME mistakes?
In my book, IF someone did wrong (and you are admitting to them doing wrong...) then its only common sense for someone else to have LEARNT by those mistakes and not repeat them!
If on the other hand you see someone else make a mistake AND you make the same mistakes... then you must be nothing short of an ...
idiot!
"May I ask if a relative majority really gives GonziPN the right to impose on the majority the tantrums he experiences every time he tries to go to sleep?"
Did it stop KMB in 1981?
After all, who could-in all reality-deny that WORLD CAPITALISM (the be all and end all to such ilk) is only being propped up (just!) by the most Socialistic of actions...
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION !!!
Without this Socialist intervention, most world banks, financial institutions, car industries and multi conglomerates would be a thing of the past by now...
The REAL questions on our minds (which we will pertinently avoid in this blog (sic!) no doubt and talk about what Cassar wrote in l-Orizzont, instead) are:
-were MIDIs bonds underwritten (last time I heard, they were not) when issued? Why not?
-Deutsche Bank last week became the first major bank not to exercise an option to redeem a Lower Tier 2 bank bond at its earliest call date!!!Will other Banks follow this shocking action??
-Will there be even more "government intervention" (more socialism) required to prop up the world economies?
-how will the British pound nose diving & the "Hundreds of thousands face job loss in UK, says top economist" effect us in the coming years?
-MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION of all... who is doing WHAT & NOW about OUR present/future??
Welcome to reality...or stick to girly comments on Cassar.
No doubt you would prefer the previous system where an absolute minority was allowed to impose on the absolute majority. Sadly (for you), those days are over.
>A New Year but still Bocca persist in delivering his old jargon, we have been reading for years now. May I ask why Bocca’s battle cries never change?
Because it feels 'safe' for him to live in the past and not face reality asis .
The REAL present is a far cry from his idealistic dream world...
A bit like Lola the showgirl (as in the Copacabana song). Feet stuck firmly in the past as it makes his present more bearable, it seems.
All very sad, really.
>It’s a New Year so dear Bocca give yourself and us all , a new break and a good rest!
Don't even try...
Many have tried in vain to point his errors out to him.
He takes them as personal attacks rather than people telling him that his 'blogging' (sic!) is quite shallow & sad to behold....
Ah well!
Perhaps reality will finally 'do its bit' in the 2nd half of 2009....
Even though, no doubt, the denial will remain, the truth will no doubt hit home!!
;)
May I ask if a relative majority really gives GonziPN the right to impose on the majority the tantrums he experiences every time he tries to go to sleep? (it seems that bocca’;s tantrums, while waiting for his missus to do her shopping, are very similar!)
It’s a New Year so dear Bocca give yourself and us all , a new break and a good rest!