I agree with most, but not all, that you have written. Government subsidies are sometimes a necessity. The economic forces in a micro-state as ours twist the concept of a free-market to the extent that monopolies and subsidisation have to be applied in order to ensure service at an affordable price to the consumer. Things change on a larger scale and therefore these rules are flexible. This is the approach that is adopted with the EU and for which derogations may be obtained in certain cases. One such derogation, for example, would ideally be suited for Air Malta.

Free health care is a misnomer. We all pay for our health care and contribute towards an insurance policy to do so, much like any other private insurer – where risk is assessed, resources pooled in favour of a few who will ultimately benefit. There are few differences of course. The main one being that even persons who are nationals (members of the scheme) but not contributors benefit equally if not to a greater extent at times. This is because of the principle of solidarity (not subsidiarity) – one which I must say is being applied very rigidly with great vigilance and circumspection.

Education is hardly free either. Parents spend fortunes (rightly or wrongly) on the education of their children. But I personally see nothing wrong in a free education system, though I’ll argue that it is difficult to sustain in times of economic street. Yet they have free education in Canada and it seems to work. I also think that the government has done a marvellous job of State education. From what I hear, some state schools are now much better than private or church schools – certainly much better than they were in those ‘halcyon’ days, as some would apparently have them, of Mintoff’s special brand of socialism.

“L-udjenza ta’ Xarabank”?

You do understand simple English, don’t you John? Please show me where I have objected to them protesting outside the embassy peacefully. I am concerned about another issue, not them protesting.

Anyone has a full recording of KMB’s press conference of yesterday?

There was a moment (I think it was broadcast on NETnews or PBS news) where he stated that some leaders are democratic even though they are not elected. He was justifying Gaddafi’s leadership.

I thought he was justifying how he was elected PM without a single vote of the people. That must be why he feels so close to Gaddafi.

[Daphne – Watch him on Bondi+ yesterday: http://public.di-ve.com/streaming/on_demand_media_streamer.aspx?id=4736&encoding=8&backUrl=streaming%2fon_demand_event_encoding.aspx%3fid%3d4736 ]

Perfect, Andrea. Phenomenal research! Thank you.

Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici would be amusing if he weren’t such an irritant.

He isn’t standing up for those in need now. He never did when he was Prime Minister. Like his predecessor, his motivation is negative.

LondonTown: Are you Jon Lukas Woodenman in disguise?

If I remember correctly, Mr Fenech Azzopardi forms part of the hunters’ lobby. That could have influenced his reasoning.