Negative advertising

The plea made in the editorial of March 21 to the MLP to spell out its proposals if it wants to win the general election misses the point.

If Malta were a multi-party state, there would be merit to the claim. But Malta is a two-party state. In a two-party system, it suffices for a party to demonstrate that the other party is the worse alternative.

This is where negative advertising kicks in with amazing effects. Faced with a Hobson's choice, the individual voter is left with no choice other than to vote for the lesser evil.

What proposals do you want the MLP to spell out? Malta's economy is in dire straits due to decades of mismanagement by its politicians.

Like a cash-strapped druggie selling his wife's jewellery, the government sells the state's assets every so often for a much needed infusion of cash.

The sensible economic solutions that are required would be brutal to the already bleeding taxpayer.

Both parties have a clear vision of what the country needs for its economic revival. But the moment any of them will attempt to implement any tough measures, they will be brutalised in the court of public opinion. The party must go on if the party wants to survive.

If the MLP were to spell out what Malta really needs, it would be the end of the Labour dream. Instead, the MLP remains a party for all segments. For those who abhor the EU, it's the only party that dared oppose Malta's pursuit of EU membership. For those who believe in the EU model, the MLP has more seats in the EU than any other Maltese party, a testimony of its superiority in representing our interests in Europe.

On the divorce issue, the MLP stays mum in its electoral programme. This allows for Roman Catholics to vote for it without any pangs of conscience since the party doesn't expressly champion divorce.

Please understand, we want to be fooled. Daily life is a nine to five job for most of us. For the editor it even extends into the night to rush out the paper. Life is drab and drudgery in a never-ending cycle of financial bills.

We want a release. Some of us get it through the internet, others through television, others through football. It is the pursuit of entertainment. And this is where our parties belong, as another entertainment avenue. Let us keep it this way and not ruin it with your "Get real, give us your proposals" plea.