The Good – The Bad and the Ugly, By Lino DeBono

“I believe that Adam and Eve showed the way humanity really is whilst still in the Garden of Eden. They had at their disposal all the world’s fruit, except for the apple tree. That was the condition that God had made them. Adam and Eve obeyed this order, that is until the snake persuaded Eve to eat from the forbidden fruit. Adam followed.

So we humans inherited this human vice from the origin of humanity. We do want what we cannot have. This brings the issue of the secret of happiness which is, “Wanting What You Have, Not Having What You Want.” Now let’s bring several issues to the point.

World Leaders

Every society in the whole wide world needs leaders. This has been going on from time immemorial. The human race needs and wants to have leaders. Some leaders proved to be most able and led their flock to better pastures and prosperity. Others though brought mayhem by abusive and bad leadership.

Good and progressive leadership brings prosperity to each and everyone, whilst dictatorships and bad governance creates disasters and disorder. Some even go as far as thinking that the World is theirs for the taking, and use military force. Wars are then declared.

Power, greed, territorial gains/additions to what they already have are “The Targets” for these demented leaders. The result will be mayhem for one and all.

World Political Parties

Political Parties need financial support, especially those which are not Governmentally officially financed. This required support provided by small contributions from and by the common citizen (general public) is legitimately accepted in its generality by one and all. But as these small contributions are not large enough, Political Parties and Candidates also accept huge financial aid from wealthy financial societies/individuals.

This huge financial support is collected from major financial circles as can be witnessed in the World’s leading country, America. Dictators and all other Political Societies follow the same path.

Stand By Sharks

This is where the big crooked sharks lurking in the shadows come in. These sharks don’t give a jot who governs or not. Or if the normal citizen or country will benefit or not. These sort of Sharks have only one aim in mind, which is of getting personally richer by their legal (?) or crooked investments. How to persuade those in high places to prefer their bids from others. How to acquire public lands – properties and permits of any kind.

The more they acquire, the more they want. Their thirst for more is never quenched. Gluttony becomes the norm for them. The more they acquire, the more their investments increase. Their wealth grows as will their overall influence.

People’s Properties

Authorities have the common citizen’s properties and assets in their hands, or shall I say at their disposal. Several in power believe that these properties and riches are theirs to dispose of as they please. Large tracts of land or properties are then passed to individuals for their supposed “Projects.”

Other properties are also scheduled for development which directly makes these properties worth far more. How and why these lands are included as building sites rests only with one individual, the Work’s Minister.

It would be interesting if one could know whom these proprieties belong too. The citizen in the street knows that in these issues and others “One Hand Rubs Another.” I am quoting an American expression.

Some dispose of their shares in these properties which are included in the building schemes, or the shares are passed over to certain individuals right away for a better profit. Others have the patience to wait until the time is ripe for a greater financial harvest. Contracts are not published as the authorities declare “That These Contracts are State Secrets.” All of these declarations are made in the name of the general public.

No thank you. I for one say in a very loud voice, “Not in my name.”

I do believe that whatever property, being Mobile or Immobile should – must and have to remain “Of, To and For” the Citizens.

Crime Does Pay

Who says that crime doesn’t pay? Take as an example a person who steals – corrupts – embroils – doesn’t work, is a burglar/drug dealer, also applies for Social Benefits and receives them, but in all this time has hundreds of thousands if not millions hidden in Bank Accounts both local and foreign. Owns property, several luxurious vehicles as well. All of these illegal activities appear to go unnoticed for years.

Meanwhile their children will enter University, get a Diploma, and become a professionally respected person. Who cares from where the family fortune came from? S/he will be known as an honourable professional. This goes for the common criminals. But for the bigger and more sophisticated Sharks, their way of doing shady business is on a much more mature and professional level.

These bide their time for when the political personnel come knocking on their door for financial contributions. Others infiltrate and befriend high ranking officials. These people contribute financially to all political parties.

Some families even split their political loyalties by having part of the family supporting one particular view, whilst the other half supports the opposite view. This way these people will have a strong foothold on opposite sides. Crème de la crème. In the meanwhile the normal man/woman in the street unknowingly applauds and has absolute faith in their leaders.

Local Politics

I, as a Maltese/Gozitan Citizen, wish to state my personal views on the subject of local Governance when regarding public properties – contracts – heritage.

First, except for Public Projections and Infrastructures, I do not wish for any Government to issue notices, give away any Government properties without first holding a referendum so that the general public can make the ultimate decision on each and every piece of land or property.

The Swiss policy of having a referendum on a number of issues each year’s end should be followed. Secondly, all contracts made on behalf of the citizens, which, even if all agree with the particular contract, have to be made public for each and every citizen to view.

After all, if the contract is made in my name and on my behalf, I for one, do want to have full knowledge of it.

Pre-election Manifestos

It is often said that the majority of citizens have voted in favour of the manifesto so the political party in power has the people’s approval to go ahead. This is totally incorrect as the general public votes more on who they believe will govern better, the majority of citizens do not follow or even read the manifestos.

Better Governance

The normal citizen in the street does appreciate the progress that a country makes through new innovative and progressive laws. That’s why people either re-elect or vote against different parties.

And I still cannot understand why our Members of Parliament are not on a Full-Time Basis with good financial remunerations.

How is it that in our society Lawyers are still in contact with sometimes the worst of the worst criminals, defending these in Courts? Notaries in cahoots with big business. Architects submitting Building Permits to Big Business People?

Will these remain loyal and neutral when deciding in Parliament? I will leave this answer to everyone’s good conscience/judgement.

Transparency – Good Governance – Meritocracy are a must for each and every person throughout the World.”

Lino DeBono,

Gozo.

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