Wednesday 7 May, 2008
The Colorado syndrome
Remember those words of wisdom just before 8 March: “We will be a country for all Maltese.”
Yes, we will be a country for all Maltese and Gozitans of course, or that is what we were led to believe for the umpteenth time.
Needless to say, a worthwhile minority are unwilling to believe what politicians have to say and in so doing, many have wisely decided to do what most Europeans do year in, year out. Stay at home on election day. It’s just a pity that I was not more vociferous and insistent or persistent about staying at home to wave a dirty middle finger to all politicians.
But back to the promises made solemnly before the election to reach out to the adversaries, opponents and so many others. Gonzi’s have showed that in his first 50 odd days of governance he has no intention of dishing out appointments to people from different political fields. It would be one great way of being magnanimous. That word does not exist in Gonzi’s dictionary.
It is understandable that he is not. In all his wisdom, Gonzi, in typical Democrazia Cristiana style is very much aware of the Colorado syndrome, and he loves power as much as he loves his promises. All 353 of them.
The syndrome originated in that corrupt and despicable democracy we now know as Paraguay. There in the heart of Catholic Latin America, the Colorado party ruled for 60 odd years until a bishop wilfully defrocked himself to stand for election and rid Paraguay from a cancer – the Colorado party.
The Colorado party ruled OK, simply because they made everyone dependent on them. As a party, they appointed their people to crucial posts and their families were eternally grateful for this. By always voting for the same people.
Over time, the people who owed it to their masters started to believe that only they could run the show. And it continued for six decades. The same clans were appointed, and the networks that multiplied ensured that the same people were given preference over other people and individuals.
Surely Malta is not to that extreme, but it is getting there. And if one had to look closely at the proliferation of the networks and the web of conceited Nationalists who believe or continue to believe that only they can do the job, there is little doubt in my mind that Gonzi is slowly but surely succumbing to the Colorado syndrome.
We may argue, as the Colorado party argued, that the alternative is far worse than what they have to offer. And in typical Colorado style there is always the rather cosmetic and frank declaration: “We are human and we err and yes, we have made mistakes, but…”
And it goes on.
So it follows with all the arguments we have heard repeatedly about Joseph Muscat being a clone of Alfred Sant (which could be the case); or that Labour will never learn because, you wait and see… they will shaft George Abela (I would like to see what the PN will say if Georg Abela is elected leader).
And when we look at Gonzi’s little drawing board we can only see that his philosophy is determined by one fundamental principle: “We must ensure that our people are awarded the goodies, and we cannot do this on the eve of an election but now.”
It is sad, but then that is why most of us try and forget who is running the show at Castille by watching Striscia la Notizia.
The myth about free health is there for all of us to see. Don’t get me wrong, but whenever dear Lawrence talks of free health, why don’t we just tell him to pull the other one?
Right – please email in (sbalzan@mediatoday.com.mt) with your personal experiences. And avoid the blogs for now. Avail yourself of this column and newspaper to share your horrid expense account for free health. At least we do not change our policy if it is being a pain in the neck on election eve.
So here we are: an elderly woman gets shingles, the ‘Fuoco di San Antonio’, and gets sent to Boffa – a State hospital – and there she is prescribed drugs to fight this nasty and bothersome illness. Drugs which you can only obtain if you buy. Two sorts, the Lm16 package, or the Lm67 package.
And I did check out this anecdote: it is yet another case of free-medicines-my-blistered-foot.
And yet, we had these unforgettable flashbacks on the Fossos with Lonzu in form, laughing and taunting the Opposition that health in Malta, yes health, was to remain free of charge forever… until, that is, we would have aged gracefully until all hairs and teeth fall out.
Not however if you have ‘Fuoco di San Antonio’ or perhaps a particular form of breast cancer, or if you need to provide an injection or two against a fatal heart attack.
The truth is that there is no truth. The truth is that we should stop believing the men in blue suits and blue ties and smiles. We need to raise the level of scepticism to DEFCON 5 and if anyone asks why, the answer should be very simple: “We ain’t voting for you or anyone else, not now, not ever.”
Which takes me to the memorable visit of Roberto Benigni, loved by all apart from some solitary figure who reminds me more of a figurine from Madame Tussault’s wax collection.
Ten hugs to Prof. Lauri Lucente and believe it or not Duminku Fenech, for such an incredible initiative at the University. The uniqueness of the Benigni can only be fully appreciated when you see the man in persona. It was simply a special evening. A Dantesque feast that was appreciated and embraced by all…
If anyone is fishing for a credibility index for the police interrogators please read MaltaToday’s front page story.
