Hysterical! Not only incapable of pronouncing but also of comprehending! Shall I go on? No, I should not – too much effort, not enough reward.

Maybe you can explain to him, my darling, intelligent, gutsy, (maybe a little too gutsy) proud, female compatriot who leads an exemplary role in this male dominated society we live in.

I am unhappy that I had to throw away over 5000 recycled bags. The government promised to pay the cost but so far not 1 cent has been paid, but in the meantime I had to purchase new bags for my retail outlet. But still I will not vote Lejber (I love the spelling).

OK, Jake, let’s see if I understand something about history and sociology.

PN proposals when in opposition before 1987 were summarised in three words – Xoghol, Gustizzja u Liberta – and they addressed dire needs of our society at that moment in history. On all three counts this country has made historical and sociological leaps. You can argue that more or different things could have been done. Well, yes, but the reality is that the PN has done something about all that despite the MLP. More specific proposals from that time: joining the EU, market liberalisation, employment, IT, infrastructure, stable and normal foreign policy.

The evolution of societies does not happen organically, but is shaped by the action (or inaction) of its leaders, and the PN has outperformed the MLP outright. Rather than tactics I judge governments by strategies, which in Malta’s case over the last few decades can be independence, infrastructure, free (not in the monetary sense) education, liberty, VAT, local councils and EU membership to name a few – and the MLP was not only always on the wrong side but worked actively against.

[Daphne – I have no objections. I had plenty to Fenech Adami’s appointment.]

Well done on your comments about Muscat’s childish behaviour on Independence Day. Pretending to be included in the same ceremony as the Prime Minister and the President is hilarious for an opposition leader who, as you correctly said, represents nobody in the state.

Well done and keep it up.

Maybe he just wanted people to think he was happy to see them.

Please let me know the proposals of the PN when they were in opposition. I know that they used to be very negative indeed and nasty too.

When I said ‘in their ways’, I was referring to the way they worked as most extreme leftist parties used to act, like in Russia, China and other countries which were under Socialism or Communism.

I am not justifying anything of what they did, but as far as I know every country on earth had to pass through difficult periods; a bit of history or sociology would surely enlighten you on this one. I am sure you are not that stupid as not to understand the evolution of societies all over the world. I personally do not consider myself to be socialist.

Steven,

I am not sure if you were referring to my comments about the cost of living, the roads etc. You know that I did not mention those issues only.

I have friends and family who support both political parties, but all of them complain about cost of living in Malta in general, and I think that you know too that Malta is quite expensive and there are many reasons for this. Of course this is an issue, if you have a bit of economics knowledge you would know that if the rate of increase in prices is higher than your rate of increase in your income you are worse off.

And please do not associate me with lazy people. I work in the private sector and also have a part-time business, so if you are referring to me you are mistaken.

I do not expect the government to solve all my woes, but I expect that my direct and indirect taxes are well spent and I do expect to see better roads, a better environment, a good traffic system if these are not important to you.

And make no mistake about this, I speak this way even to Labour die-hards. I think that die-hards are a great liability to Malta.

I don’t think that Labour has or will have the solution for every problem, but to be credibl, Steven, you have to ask what the PN did to solve these problems in the last 20 years or so. It’s not that they did not have any chance to implement their policies, it’s that they were busy brainwashing people like you into accepting all their shortcomings by frightening you from god forbid a Labour government.

I am a very moderate person and I do criticise Labour when there is need, and ye, I do expect better from them also especially after 20 years of sleeping in opposition. My only loyalty is to myself, my family and my true friends and not to a politician or a political party.

I agree with you 100%. It bothers me too, anzi jqabbduni il-hakk. But that’s another argument. MPs in opposition are not managing taxpayers’ money and have not being doing so for the last 21 years. Ministers in power for 21 years like Giovanna built entire empires around them. Gonzi has all the chance and power to change them but he does not. He has valid alternatives too. For 21 years I had to suffer the same old faces like Giovanna. The way she dresses – ommi ma. But the worst thing is their arrogance and nepotism in managing funds and contracts.

p.s. I hope you enjoyed China. Now be sincere. Throughout your visit did the words “kemm ghadna lura” ever cross your mind?

[Daphne – Far from it. What I actually said was there but for the grace of God goes Malta and all who live there. We’d read China Daily every morning, and while my sons were aghast at the news items, the tone of the coverage and the complete disregard for personal liberty and human rights, I found it quite easy to understand the mindset and attitudes from having grown up in Malta in the 1970s and 1980s. The main difference is that it would have been impossible to lock up thousands of young people with families for 10 months in a secure camp and make them practise marching for 12 hours a day in all weathers – all to rehearse for today’s 60th anniversary of communism parade.]