People want to see results that are quantifiable. Money can be quantified, and since money is equated with success, money is a sign of success. Jaf iddawwar lira jew ewro? ‘Wise’ it-tifel.

Academics with PhDs under their belt? Rational discussion? Research and publications? Symposia and conferences? Forget it. X’jimpurthom.

It is important to achieve a genuine surplus, as was projected by the Gonzi PN government however, dissecting the current surplus requires a detailed analysis and will form the basis of another comment which I intend to publish. In fact, I am quite disappointed with the rushed comments made so far by some social partners which show clearly that they have either been made to pay lip service to the Government or to be seen to react faster than other associated social partners.

I am also very surprised how our not stupid Minister of Finance puts his name to what seems to be hogwash statements.

The key question, of course, is which regime would, in the long term, be more resistant to change. Sadly, I suspect it would be Singapore.