I believe we are truly missing one very important twist in this deluge of electoral promises.
The first is the political conviction that we are going to live forever in a Nanny State that provides for everything and everyone.
Instead of moving onto a more just system where welfare supports those in real need, we still have politicians promising more and more freebies.
Both Sant and Gonzi accuse each other of wanting to put a charge on the health service and put a price tag on services. Both deny with vengeance they intend to cut free services.
But… why shouldn’t there be a price tag? Why should health be free for everyone and everything? Why shouldn’t we be talking of providing essential services free only to those who have a certain income bracket, instead of providing everything for free?
If Gonzi and Sant cannot bear to live with it, then here it is. You are irresponsible to offer everything for free. Were it not for European membership obligations and directives, they would be more irresponsible still.
The electricity bill, which is still heavily subsidised when compared to other EU countries, is to be halved for all households and offered next to free to needy families.
It is of course very nice, but what goes up must always come down. Someone will have to finance all this crazy and outdated Marxist way of doing things. Who said that we have no left wing in Malta? We have two socialist parties living on the moon. To get themselves elected they are willing to wreck their own good work. It is awfully sad.
Both Gonzi and Sant have rushed to wear this mantle of traditional stuffy left-wing politics which promises everything for nothing.
Every sector of Maltese society is being offered a free figolla. And the answer to the money question is to be found in the absurd allegation or pipe dream that our economic growth will be greater than any of the other economies’ growth in Western Europe.
So when we talk of electricity or water, no one talks of energy conservation. There is of course an abundance of talk about wind farms out at sea in the deep blue. But like economic growth, it is very much pie in the sky.
None of the economists that usually stand to be counted and speak their mind seem to have a word about this. There is no one who has the gall to raise a middle finger to the two gentlemen and tell them their fiscal policies are mad.
The exceptions being Karm Farrugia and Lino Spiteri, who have had no problem spelling out the message that you cannot bend over backwards and expect to walk at the same time. Ironically, both these two economists find their roots in old Labour.
The other economists have obviously forgotten all about their lectures which carry the theme issue: there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Which of course brings us to the taxation issue and the taxes we should be paying as a basic requirement.
This is not Lichtenstein, but Malta. Here again, both parties are promising cuts and more cuts. It is economic madness to derail fiscal common sense for the sole purpose of getting voters to vote for you. To attract niche voters, both parties have offered their voters unbelievably juicy super-sized carrots.
Labour wants to give back the public holidays that fall on weekends and the Nationalists wish for more cuts in tax for high-income earners. In a country which still has a serious problem with work ethic and which needs to focus on productivity, and in a nation which is intrinsically adverse to paying the State, such proposals are reckless and foolish.
Like the ridiculous French socialist suggestion that was implemented years back, that introduced the 35-hour week, measures that cut back on essential revenue for government will have to be reverted.
When the politicians return to their Cabinet meetings and daily decisions they will have to face stark realities. Those realities include making ends meet. Then they will climb down from their electoral platforms, gobble up some humble pie and face the bleak reality of administering a budget.
With a pension bomb round the corner, with a health bill that continues to grow exponentially, with education costs spiralling and with the infrastructure of the country calling out for more investment, and more significantly, with the plethora of national projects in around the Grand Harbour, either both parties think this country has infinite gold reserves, or else they have made a pact with Osama Bin Laden to implode our economy.
Neither of the parties have the gall to say things as they are. Ask the PN about subsidies to the dockyards, and they waffle. Ask the MLP about the precise implications of the 50% surcharge cut for individuals who already paying no surcharge, and you get strange looks.
Falzon and surveys You have to hand it to him: Michael Falzon, hunter, banker and fireworks enthusiast, is a fine rabble-rouser. I could of course mention some historical rabble rousers in mass meetings such as the one on the Fossos.
Once again, I have to compliment Falzon for questioning one important exercise undertaken by the independent media: surveys. He told the crowd to ignore the surveys. Do so, and be warned. Surveys, dear Michael, are not the Gospel but they serve as an indicator of public sentiment and trends.
Once again, Falzon in his rhetoric and hysteria has eaten away at a basic tenet in the reporting of the democratic process. I shudder to think how he would treat criticism from the free press if ever elected to be part of the government Cabinet. Imagine Hillary Clinton standing in front of a crowd and rubbishing a media survey. It is an unthinkable scenario.
But then how can I compare Hillary to Michael F?
By the way, I never knew he was such a bad singer. Don’t give up the day job, Michael.
Libels The plethora of libels flying from one side to another confirm to what extent the two parties are willing to abuse the press laws that they themselves have used to control the frequency of verbal abuse. It proves beyond doubt the need to revisit the libel laws which put unnecessary pressure on the courts when the courts should be using their time for more urgent issues.
Josie and Gandhi There is something chronically wrong with Josie’s examples. He quotes Gandhi to hit out at pea-brained journalists. I am sure Gandhi, in whatever reincarnation he manifests himself in today, would love to hear what Josie stands for.
I am not quite too sure Josie remembers what Gandhi stood for. The Mahatma’s early years in apartheid South Africa, his frugal lifestyle, his pacifist and non-violent politics, and his aversion to profit makes him an unlikely role model to Josie et al.
If no one can turn to Josie and tell him that everyone is laughing at his example, then I will do him a favour and ask him to read through some history books. No, not the life history of his candidates and their brushes with the law.
More about the real life of Mahatma Gandhi. Perhaps then he could think of another role model when he talks to a carnivorous grouping of big game hunters. I could suggest a few role models: he could start with Lord Haw Haw and then, when he runs out of ideas, I will come up with some other names – one to match the black attire he chose last Sunday when he addressed a motley crowd of deprived hunters and trappers!
COMMENTS
03/07/08 11:10 AM, Mark
Ma tisthux titkellmu fuqq Dr.Alfred Sant b'dan il-mod. Ghandkhom dinjita ghal persuna li kien marid sew???
Imiskhom tisthu din hi demokrazija u ghal dik li taghlem l-universita- min jaf kemm hakejtilhom darhom biex dhalt lecturer l-UOM.
Amettu li ghandna bzonn bidla u Dr.Alfred Sant jista jtijilna u xi zballi ghamel imma dejjem qqal il-verita ghal kuntrarju dak li joqqghod Sant Anton gideb wahda kbira fuqq l-ewropa u gonzipn huwa successur tieghu.
02/28/08 2:54 AM, john
John Dalli and Laurence Gonzi have ironed out their differences, John is a candidate in Gonzi's team.
Ray Bondin retired out of politics , he considers himself as a private citizen.
Frank Portelli is still Nationalist , he suspected that there was corruption by Government officials on Mater Dei. He is libeling MLP for twisting his words and using him as propaganda against the PN.
Carmel Caccopardo felt that he cannot support the present PN ideals. He feels better posing as a whistle blower/AD candidate quoting his reports to MEPA regarding the siting of the Sant' Antnin recycling plant at the backyard of Dr Gonzi;s house.
The only time I recall such economic activity we are experiencing now , was 1971-1976 under dynamic Dom!
Fredu anqas jibda mieghu!
02/28/08 2:21 AM, Joe
John - correction....gonzipn is in no ways at peace with his members. Ask John Dalli, Carmel Caccopardo, Ray Bondin, Frank Portelli,just to name a few. Quite rightly, as you say, it is up to us whether or not we elect the old cabinet or not. I for one will surely be voting MLP, especially after yesterday's revelation of yet another lie...lets see you fork out hard earned cash, after taxes, for health services. Remember, we were all promised that VAT would not increase before the 2003 election by the pn, then it was increased by 20% from 15% to 18%.
You can fool the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all the time, BUT you ca't fool all the people all of the time.
02/27/08 2:15 AM, John
Ok Big Brother!
02/27/08 2:11 AM,
First of all who is this person is not your business, John. I was talking to does who critised the MLP cause of the place of their final mass meeting. Go and read the comments maid on the 26th Feb. It seems you have a lot of time to read and critise every word which is being written underneath by MLP supporters but I guess you'll better start looking a bit in detail in the PN situation than you will surely have what to criticise.
02/27/08 1:56 AM, john
Who is this anonymous MLP supporter? What is he talking about?
02/27/08 1:47 AM,
Has anyone of those who are critising the labour simply because of where their final mass meeting will be held, has got a bit of an idea that these places are decided by polls? And anyway, the day after the election when the results are out, people will go all over Malta to celebrate and no can stop them and tell them to which places they can or can't go. It's a use less argument..sorry.
02/27/08 1:07 AM, john
Joe ,LOL as much as you like ,but truly, who cares wether Debono Grech or FZD are comfortable with the new image their party is giving.
It is up to us wether we keep them in parliament or not.PN have one leader in peace with ALL his party members.
Alfred "lost"the support of a lot of potential people: George Abela , Lino Spiteri , Dom Mintoff , Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici , Alfred Mifsud , Alex Sciberras Trigona ,and more ,from his party.
02/27/08 12:51 AM, Joe
To Carmen the PhD. What language did you use to present your research?, certainly not english!!!, I am appalled by the use of your english writting skills. If, as all of the PN stooges writting here in excellent english (sic!!!!) are right about how incompetent Dr. Sant is, why are they striving so hard to convince us (the electorate) that Dr. Sant is not fit to govern. Shouldn't we (the electorate) be allowed to reach that conclusion on our own, given the fact that it is soooooo obvious????, or isn't it!!!!
A word about PN branding. Remember brand Malta (LOL); now we have a new Branding exercise, gonzipn....are the rest of the pn caretaker ministers, members of parliament, candidates, officials and supporters really comfortable with this new image....the image of a one man party!!!, remember, no man is an island!!!!!
02/26/08 11:04 AM, Carmen
Would like to answer il Falkun comment.........not that he/she deserves an answer, but hekk hux!!!!!!!!! I got my PhD from the Sorbonne aand not from Malta. I am very proud of my Alma Mater which is our university here in Malta. I entered university as a mature student in 1990, as when i had finished my secondary schooling i couldn't attend university becaause we came froma nationalist family and in 1977 who was still in power, if not the MLP? The time when schools were closed, exams werescrapped off, we had the introduction of area secondary schools, and trade schools.
YES VERY PROUD OF MY FAULTY PN DNA
02/26/08 6:19 AM, John
You r not poor , but someone is sucking from your back , and every penny counts . I know the feeling.
Politics apart,contest in writing with WSC , they are not the PN they are the bureaucracy which expires the energy of a whole country.
If you are not satisfied than there is an appeals board.
I know it is tiring and time consuming , but if you persist like u r doing with me (joking),they have to move , don't drop your weapons use them well.Send a registered letter, I know that that works.Tell the ombudsman , write letters to the papers.
No matter who is minister they put a lot of hurdles in your way , they think it's there job.
Keep copies of bills and correspondence.And take weekly readings of your meter.If you have a consumption while you were away ,someone must be stealing from you.
By the way I bought a solar heater for Lm400 , got a reverse osmosis unit with it and within three months the Government sent me Lm 100.
My bills went down Lm10-15 per bill average.I did not check if financially it makes sense .It would not if there is no surcharge.
POLITICS: why did you buy an energy saving fridge?
02/26/08 5:33 AM, M. Spiteri
I am not saying that I am poor but paying a home loan don't leave you enough to spend loads of money for buying the solar heater even if I had a place where to put it. And I don't think that the government would consider me one of those who needs help just because I have a loan of thousands of liri for simply having an apartment, to pay. And regarding the electricity bill I called WSC more than once but everytime they say that I have to pay the bill that twice a year I receive the exact bill in arrears which is only DAHQ FIL-WICC. And mind you my fridge is energy saver and its still switched off.
02/26/08 5:21 AM, John
Well water can be used to flush water , ALL hotels do it . Illegal is flushing with sea water or with illegal bore holes.
Please start putting arguments based on facts.
02/26/08 5:10 AM, John
No, I want everybody to pay for what he consumes.Then if poor people like you cannot afford ,then yes, the Government helps.Right now there are 30,000 who are not paying the surcharge.
Alternattiva have gone one step higher , and I wish that the next government adopts it even if AD do not stand a chance.
By the way ,if you are paying Lm 150 per bill for an empty apartment , better check who is using your Electricity, or you have an old fridge continuosly running (I am not trying to be cheeky. ok?)
And yes if SANT will be in government (HIGHLY PROBABLE) start using energy savers where you frequently use electric light, just the same.You will end up saving more!
02/26/08 4:59 AM, M. Spiteri
One more thing... did you ever realised that the water from the well cannot be used for flushing and that it's against the law to use the rain water for this? Now you see who is egoistic. Egoistics are those who want to use the natural resources which are meant to be recycled and used by every one of us.
02/26/08 4:53 AM, M. Spiteri
So you are saying that who ever has an airconditioner should not get the deduction on the surcharge yes? So thats maybe 3/4 of all the maltese people cause if you keep looking a bit at each house and apartment from the outside than you're realise that nearly every one has got it. And if you don't have an a/c than you use a fan to cool down the air. And so you will be still using the electricity. And regarding the solar system sorry but I do not have enough money to spend on it and regarding the rebate please be sure that the government is still paying it back. And if I don't have a roof (cause I own an apartment not a villa) where should I put it in the garage? Man you have to face reality and think of those who have just started living their lives and who are trying to build a better future. And even if I have all rooms equipped by energy savers I still receive a bill of Lm150 and mind you I haven't even started residing in this place. And if I don't have a well than I should put some buckets outside the door to fill them up when its raining? Maybe if you know some of those people who have just opted for a loan for their first residence than you can know exactly why we are opting for a better way to live.
02/26/08 4:45 AM, J.Falzon
And John is Gonzi trustworthy ???? Cause he is also a man that did not keep his promises over the years but now he is willing ???
02/26/08 4:43 AM, J.Falzon
David so by wanting to live a better life you are calling him egoistic ????? Egoists are people who because they can afford this life they want it to stay this way not keeping in my mind that not everyone is well off or whatever..
02/26/08 4:39 AM, John
We ALL try to vote for 'onesti',dear Sergio.But apart from Honesty there are more things we should consider in our leaders : Trustworthiness is the foremost , which is gained after experiencing the actions and policies of the person.
02/26/08 4:14 AM, david
M. Spiteri said:
"Egoistic mentality?!!?? that's because <i>I</i> am opting for a better way to live maybe. "
That's precisely the point. If that is not egoistic, then what is?
02/26/08 4:10 AM, John
I am in the middle class category , we are the ones who pay from our nose , like Mr JA Bugeja.
The right way to go to reduce the bills is ECONOMISING ie: use a solar water heater if you own a roof and get a Lm100 tax rebate , use energy saving lamps , use your well water to flush your toilets and be careful not to waste water and electricity,THAT is" GHAQAL U GALBU""
The MLP proposal of the TOTAL removal of the surcharge in 5 years (Sant on Dissett) , is going to be paid for by the tax paying middle class.
We have already witnessed this when subsidised KEROSENE was bought in large amounts during the Winter months to heat up residences of wealthy people . During the summer months diesel consumption shot up because it was being used for the big boats of the wealthy.
At the end of the day the money had to come from somewhere , it was coming from the PAYE of the middle class.
Well, as far as I know, if someone is going to turn on the air conditioner , he will pay half the surcharge just the same , where's the lie?
If someone comes up with a proposal that no more electricity bills will be paid , according to M.Spiteri, everybody should grab the idea and go for it.
Doesn't the perennial question pop up "Who IS PAYING?"
02/26/08 2:27 AM, sergio
i vot for onesti vot mlp ferst time
02/26/08 2:00 AM, J.Falzon
Well said Mr.Spiteri ... The only thing left for the Nationalists to do is to attack and ridicule the Leader of The Malta Labour Party .. That is their campaign ... they have nothing else to offer !!!!!!
02/26/08 1:50 AM, M. Spiteri
Egoistic mentality?!!?? that's because I am opting for a better way to live maybe. And if you follow a bit what's going on you will soon realise who began this lie on the airconditioned villas. I think the nationalists don't have lots what to say and so during the meeting instead of saying what their proposals are they are critising and lying on the ones the labour party have. Maybe you are one of those of the higher classes and that's why you think that opting for a better way to live is egoistic. If its not a problem for you paying lots of money on fuels and electricity than for us it is because we have to work to gain money. And by the way thank Gonzi for me for the bulbs he will be giving us to resolve the problem on the electricity bills.
02/26/08 1:38 AM, Saviour Mifsud
Dr. Vella NEVER criticised all students attending UOM. He only used those hard words on those few that formed part of the rent-a-crowd. Since your children did not form part of those students they have nothing to be upset about. I think they should be more upset how these few students treated all the speakers that where critical of Dr Gonzi
Thanks, you made my mind at rest, being a Roman Catholic and not very keen about politices. Maybe it did not sound clear on the media what Dr Vella said.
02/26/08 1:28 AM, John
Typical egoistic mentality,spring hunting and the removal of halve of the surcharge for costly fuels, for air conditioned villas with pools and mortgaged flats alike , that is Social justice and GHAQAL at its best.
And still we do not know where the money would be coming from. There will be another hofra in no time!
02/26/08 1:06 AM, M. Spiteri
Dear John,
Are you trying to gather up a group of people when u say 'is there someone who feels the way I do'? Yes there are. There are those close minded people who keep shouting VIVA GONZI like nothing ever happened. No wonder why Sant tried to stop the membership process, now we can all see what we got by being a member of the EU. The hunting season which Gonzi said that the EU is not against, now you can see. And is it the CET you are talking about?? Maybe you forgot that the PN increased the VAT to 18% and that we are being charged the VAT even on those items for which we should'nt (like the education). And with the Euro change over...ohh we have really made a big deal, when nearly the price of every single item have been increased. And what about the surcharge and the increase every month on the price of fuel? How can you say that you can't trust the labour party when he did'nt even have the time to start his proposals? Look at the nationalists government...than yes you can say whether you can trust him or not.
02/26/08 12:24 AM, John
Mr Falzon why TWENTY YEARS? are we saying that when Alfred Sant was PM for nearly 2 years , was Nationalist?
It would have been enough for him if he stayed there for a few weeks!
He FROZE , STOPPED , STALLED , SLOWED DOWN the EU membership process and with it the whole economy.He promised stipends and burdened the students with a loan , he promised to remove VAT and re-invented the excise and duties taxes CET with the cash registers.
WE EXPERIENCED HIM , how can we trust him?
Every time Dr Sant opens his mouth I ask myself :"Now ,what's behind this PRoposal or red herring?".
Is there someone out there who feels the same way, like I do?
02/25/08 11:32 PM, J.Falzon
So Mr.Micallef what you said sums up that you are in a right state of mind :) You are mentioning only one issue the issue of education... while in Malta we have more and more issues... And if you do not forgive .. than why should we forgive what the nationalist party did and are still doing... Or is it you that is brushing everything under the carpet just because now he is promising again all these things which mind you .... if after 20 yrs these promises are still castles in the air what makes you think it will be different now ?
02/25/08 11:07 PM, John Schembri
"Gonzi is a Winner against corruption", well said Mr Falzon.
Woods investigation, MTA licencing investigation , MMA boat licencing investigation were all started by the Government.
Can you tell us more about the' secret' Dubai MLP contractors delegation lead by Mr Whiter then white Mangion? This, from the opposition!
02/25/08 11:00 PM, J A Bugeja
Allow me to differ with your arguments aginst lower tax rate for the higher income groups. If my memory serves me well your paper, in my opinion rightly, throughout these years has advocated a lower tax burden on the middle class. We the middle class have been paying through our nose and it is time we get something back. On the issue of lower tax rates and higher income tax revenue economic theory has a model called the Laffer Curve which explains how lower tax rates can translate into higher tax revenues.
02/25/08 2:45 PM, Phillip Micallef
Mr Falzon, the ignorant people are the ones who want to trust Sant to run the country. What experience does he have? A disastrous two years in power where he was brought down by one of his own? Mintoff. Or the eternity he has been in opposition with nothing to show for himself except constant criticism and negative comments.
You believe what you like but don't try to convince me that he is credible. The heavens will fall before I give him or anyone in the Labour party a single vote. Maybe you were too young to remember the dark ages of the 80's? Well, I wasn't and I had my education f**ked up by the Labour party. This is something not you or anyone in his/her right mind can deny. He wasn't the leader then but he had a hand in the issue. But of course His education at Harvard wasn't interrupted. Believe me, the people won't forget this and neither should you.There are many other"ignorant" people like me who will NEVER trust Sant and Labour. You conveniently forgot the rampant corruption durin Labour's years in power. Do you remember Fusellu and the reign of terror sweeping the country or do you conveniently brush all this evidence under the carpet and depict Sant as Saint. God forgives but he never forgets but I do not forgive.
02/25/08 2:06 PM, Arnold Galea
Dear Saviour
Generally speaking the level of Maltese politics is mediocre, very partisan & irrational most of the times.
I invite you & other readers of this newspaper to search on you tube and listen to what the leaders of Australia said after the election results.
Howard the ex-prime minister stated that he believes in Australia and is confident that even with the new government chosen by the people the country will continue to prosper.
On the other hand the new Prime Minister thanked Howard for the service that he gave the country & that he will do his best to improve on his achievements.
Will we ever reach that level of political debate? I doubt it very much.
I am not shy to say that yes when Malta is compared with other developed countries we are lagging far behind especially in our mentality.
02/25/08 1:54 PM, J.Falzon
Reading your comments Mr.Micallef makes me confirm more that still we have ignorant people in this country and it is something we should be ashamed of ... and to that person that said that Sant is a loser and Gonzi is a winner.. Yes Gonzi is a winner ... of CORRUPTION !!!!!
02/25/08 11:54 AM, Phillip Micallef
Mike, Gonzi may have lost some insignificant local council elections but the Nationalists won the last general election and referendum to join the EU. These are the elections that really matter not the ones you mention. Gonzi is the real winner not Sant and this WILL be confirmed on March 8. Who needs to win local council elections when we can win the general election?
02/25/08 11:47 AM, Phillip Micallef
The students at university have no reason to be polite to someone (Sant) who was active in the Labour party when they tried to destroy the educational system in Malta in the 80's. I know because I was one of those students who wasn't allowed to go to my school (St Aloysius) sixth form to study for my a-levels because Labour thugs stopped me. We had to have lessons at teachers' and studets' houses. God alone knows how we passed our exams. I and all students can never forgive a party who tried to f##k with our education. Why should the students have shown him any respect. Even in the English houses of parliament the prime minister is booed and hissed at if he says something stupid. Why should Sant or any of his supporters expect us to treat him any better? Is he a God or something?
02/25/08 11:28 AM, Il-Falkun
Carmen, looks like PhD’s are cheap to get at the Malta University? The behavior of the university students during the parties’ leaders' debate showed what type of DNA the Malta students have. They can't even debate and put intelligent questions to their future leaders?
02/25/08 11:23 AM, john
Sant is a loser because he finds a problem in every solution (crack in a 5 Km road)
Gonzi is a winner because he finds a solution for every problem (Low cost airlines-tourism)
OK MIKE ?
02/25/08 10:57 AM, Michael
John Borg has described Alfred Sant as a "loser". Is he a returned migrant who arrived this February back in Malta?
Lawrence Gonzi since becoming leader of the PN has lost the 2004 EP elections and 4 consecutive local council elections, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.
With this serial loser at the helm the PN is the minority in local council federation, European Parliament and shortly in our own Parliament.
Apart from this record of shame he has also managed to get a record lowest percentage of votes for the PN since probably Fortunato Mizzi and also chickened out from the local council elections in Zejtun and Marsa.
And this from a "strong pair of hands".....where is Eddie?
02/25/08 10:30 AM, martin g
Saviour, Is-sur Spiteri qal kemm kien hawn aks dan l-ahhar. Jekk kien hawn kollox aks ma kienx hawn. Pero biex inkun fair, mhux sew noqodu nitajru biex xorb, ghalija il konvinzjoni tghodd, u ghalhekk nemmeh li Gonzi ghandu jkun il kap ghaz-zmien li gej.
02/25/08 9:51 AM, john
Phil , I understand u , but with Graffiti around we will have only an ANARCHY which will mean we will have MORE "berlusconis" ruling the roost.
I will go for a spaghetti after I vote for the devil I know.
02/25/08 8:42 AM, Phillip Micallef
Dear Mr. Balzan, I think I'll join you for that trip to Sicily on March 8 - to eat some mussels and seafood. I'm going crazy with election fever at the moment and I need a break from the real world. The paranoia of people at mass meetings is driving me crazy. All these false promises from all the parties to suck up a few votes and either cling on to power or take power. My suugestion is to let Graffiti rule Malta for the next 5 years. Then maybe we'll have some peace and quiet on this island with protected birds flying all over the place and all the hunters safe in prison. I'm dreaming of Utopia I know, but - wouldn't it be nice?
02/25/08 7:51 AM, M. Spiteri
Nixtieq nikkumenta il- kumment li lil Sant ma tistax tafdah wara li rawh fis sakra f' B'Bugia. Lil dil persuna nixtieq nghidila li jekk forsi min jixrob ma jkunx jaf xinhu jghid, hawn min ma jixrobx, pero kelma li hi kelma veru ma tohrog min halqu. Gonzi ma jiflahx jigdeb aktar u ghalxejn qed tippruvaw iddawruha kontra Alfred Sant ghax il- gidba prima hirga min halq il- Kap taghkom. Insejtu kemm kellna weghdiet sbih hames ilu u hlif ghaks ma ghandniex bhalissa. U kemm hu ahjar jonqos is- surchage b'16% milli jibqa joghla kull xhar bl- iskuza tajba tal- gholi fil- prezz taz- zejt. In- nies m'ghadhom cuc ta!!!!!
02/25/08 6:50 AM, Benji
Well said ....Saviour.... i cant believe my self though re AD and AN. They are both targeting Marsascala .....The cake is too small for them they cant eat it together..... any cure for this country....!!!!!!
02/25/08 6:49 AM, Carmen
I believe that Malta needs to have achange in government, but, and this is a big but..............cannot swallow the idea that th MLP will be in power if the PN fails to win. What is needed is to elect once more Laurence Gonzi, as many young, energetic candidates from the PN side, and with Gonzi at the helm, he can ship shape a new cabinet. Then yes, Malta can be ba country that one can be proud of.
I am proud to posess a faulty DNA (because i am a nationalist. That DNA flaw, has enabled me to become a university lecturer with a PhD, and a post doctoral study getting on.
02/25/08 5:07 AM, clive bonavia
Hi Salv,
is the trip to Siciliy (on election day) for a big dish of cozze and frutta di mare still on? If yes can I reserve anumber of seats for myself and my friends?
02/25/08 4:43 AM, john
Dear Saviour,
Falzon is probably doing what Lou Bondi did in 1996, I believe it is neck to neck.I do not doubt your surveys ,but there is still that 3%+/-.
My opinion on NHS: I do not want to get free medicines for a small ailment.
I want support when it is really needed , after ,for example a major surgery or for treatments which I could not afford.
I concur with John Borg about Sant , he is not fit for PM, we experienced him enough.
02/25/08 4:31 AM, Joseph Zamit
note that it's the surcharge, not the electricity bill as a whole, which sant is saying will be halved - some people are getting the impression they'll be saving half the bill when in fact the reduction is of only 16.67% or thereabouts
02/25/08 4:05 AM, Martin Attard
Mr Mifsud, Dr. Vella NEVER criticised all students attending UOM. He only used those hard words on those few that formed part of the rent-a-crowd. Since your children did not form part of those students they have nothing to be upset about. I think they should be more upset how these few students treated all the speakers that where critical of Dr Gonzi
02/25/08 3:18 AM, john borg
i cannot understand how anyone alfred sant can be taken seriously when one remembers his drunken antics at birzebbugia? do we really want such a man to lead the country? a lot of talk about corruption without ever producing concrete evidence enabling police to take action in court. after all, the nationalist government took concrete action on corruption fo example against the ex-judges, and in the case of the driving licences. however alfred sant simply throws mud without backing it up. labour should have removed this loser when they lost a 2nd successive election with him at the helm.
02/25/08 1:32 AM, saviour mifsud
It is irrisponsible to talk about all University students the way that Dr George Abela (ex University Graduate himself)the way he compared them to that unhuman comparison. Both my children attend UoM and do not even care about politics and do not even care to vote if not forced to. By those comments both were very upset on how things are going in Catholic Malta
