Recent articles in the Maltese press published by political demagogues are full of venom, mistrust, profanity and half truths against those who dare speak out in antipathy. The sincerity of criticism appears not to be a factor in this war of invective and self-serving accusations . In the name of objectivity it is time Malta took a look back into the future as a way of rectifying habits of old which are eroding its social fabric. As a nation divided by rigid ideology creative ways should be explored to bridge divisions which refuse to heal. For a country so small one is hard pressed to uncover the roots of its festering sores which have polarized the Maltese for eons by social class, often in pursuit of blind political aspirations.
The Catholic church with its dominant influence has not been able to break this destructive mold. Past and present religious hierarchies are predisposed to support the status quo of the ruling class and those in contemporary power. During the reign of the Knights Of Malta and later under British colonial occupation the church allowed itself through stealth and Machiavallian tactics to be an instrument of oppression against its own people. It was not so long ago that parishioners were threatened with ex-communication and interdiction by virtue of their political associations. This stance, a remnant of the Spanish inquisition has perpetuated the sad state of affairs which still plagues Maltese society.
Malta is suffocating under an ever vicious cycle of mutual intolerance . Ignored is the sordid fact that both the Nationalist Party (NP) and Malta Labor Party (MLP) have an unenviable record of lies, deceit, venom and outright criminal behavior on their collective consciousness. These unsavory attributes which vary only in degree and not substance are earmarks of an unspoken agenda replete with class warfare, demarcated by envy between haves and have-nots. The dissimilarities in life styles and attitudes take on a sharper focus within an island of tiny proportion.
Malta is akin to the Balkans without bullets. The Maltese are an intelligent, compassionate people mostly in so far as ones own flesh and blood is at stake. Outside the extended family lies a blood feud of the type commonly found in hillbilly foothills of rural Kentucky and Tennessee, demanding inter-generation conflicts and paybacks, settled at voting time for the sake of revenge. The voting pattern has remained near constant since the mid 1930's with the NP and MLP taking turns in office belittling their predecessors party platform and accomplishments . Each blames the other for Malta's past ills while not moving ahead towards a more promising future. The result of finger pointing is stalemate and paying a high price for precious little progress.
Being contentious is part of Malta's Mediterranean heritage. The Maltese have perfected the art of talking at each other instead of talking to one another. It comes wrapped with a disposition for hot debate and frayed nerves settled over a cup of steaming cappuccino. In the heat of argument reason and logic take second place to emotive behavior and macho gesturing, a show of hollow sound more than an expression of malicious anger. No argument is ever settled, but only set aside for rehash at an opportune time. It is as if the antagonists sense in their innate Latin gentility a sign of weakness, to be replaced by expressions of anger and aggression. The game is to lessen the bite by making louder the bark , and in the process weaken the propensity for reprisal. What one sees is not what one gets in Malta. Beneath the surface of a firm handshake remains a lingering desire to get even, to settle scores, which fans the cycle of endless controversy.
There is no greater rift in Maltese society than local politics. Unable or unwilling to immerse themselves in comprehending the complexities of government many voters cast their votes blindly across party lines without an iota of understanding the larger issues in question. The all critical matter of Malta's participation as a full member of the EU typically reflects the frivolity its citizens hold towards the island's uncertain future. Even as most people remain in favor of EU admission, the majority which included a good number of cross party voters cast their ballots in favor of the MLP. As a protest against VAT and for other lesser reasons they elected to disregard the party's determination to freeze Malta's request for EU membership, a national objective formerly spearheaded by the NP. As a bitter consequence Malta will hold on to its fragile independence at the cost of a substantial loss of income and investment from European government and private institutions. The future of Malta within the first century of the new millennium does not bode well.
It is now fashionable but albeit too late for a show of acrimony and second thoughts on the wisdom of the MLP's choice to go it alone in an ever brutal competitive world market for jobs and commerce. There are those who aspire new opportunities for Malta as a transshipment &/or off -shore banking center. They envision a wealthy Malta akin to independent Switzerland or to Lebanon before the start of genocide. In reality, outside the framework of the EU Malta is hard press to come up with adequate financial and expertise resources internal to its infrastructure in support of such activities. One senses a touch of "the devil made me do it" syndrome within the general population, fortified by a self-serving claim that people were left in the dark by both parties who failed to fully explain the ramifications of revoked EU membership. This lame excuse ignores the high level of education and awareness of local and world events most Maltese enjoy as a cultured people. The argument is in fact a slap in the face, a patronizing if not a contemptuous insult at their collective intelligence. It is likely more proper to fault the predisposition many voters have of blindly waving one's party banner in the face of the hated opposition.
Malta's long term well being is in peril as long as ingrained political divisions remain the norm. The antidote to counteract the effects of potential economic stagnation or regression is to sweep away the shadows of real and imagined horrors of the past in favor of a search for a better future through non-partisan solutions driven by consensus. Whether Malta will ever recover from her rejection of European unity is an open question, but that should not hinder on-going and future corrective programs to improve the quality of life for its citizens. For better or worst Malta's choice not to compromise its independence is a done deal consigned to the scrap book of history. No referendum will undo the antipathy of the EU towards Malta's sudden reversal of direction. What matters now is its people's firm resolve to survive, indeed prosper in face of heavy odds as it has managed to do so often throughout its long and troubled history.
The sins of our fathers are no longer legitimate reasons to perpetuate division. The Maltese must unite as one for the common good of all by learning how to respect diversity of opinion without suffering episodes of schizophrenic persecution and rancor. A good start is to give elected officials a chance to prove their mettle regardless of party affiliation. A line of differentiation between party leaders as individuals and the party ideology they represent must be drawn. Simply stated what one does and what one says do not often fuse. One action is not of necessity synonymous with the other. Malta can learn much from the great western democracies situated to its north with their spirit of give and take in political chess and civilized maneuvering. The first step is to let go of the past, then focus on the present and future. Why not declare a third party of national reconciliation and move from there on to enrich the prospects of generations yet unborn.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: vellajoseph@msn.net
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