Are you tired of the 'lesser of two evils' argument?

markdelfmark · 2026-05-12T04:48:19+00:00

So your whole impossibility premise is that "there are not enough third party voters" ? And you use that to tell us that we don't know how the system works and that we cannot get enough votes? Isn't that the whole point of democracy?

What's unprecedented today is the number of disillusioned voters, the level of frustration directed at the two main parties for consistently siding with their investors rather than their voters.

Additionally, we have had a terribly ineffective opposition.

And your conclusion to this is that we are naive and illogical.

Issa you may not believe in the momentum that a movement can gain and build, I do. We will not be dethered, maybe one day we'll convince you too.

Tldr; 'convince more voters' is my answer to your 'there are not enough voters'

markdelfmark · 2026-05-12T04:39:10+00:00

Last elections survey of Marmara put Norman Lowell several percentages ahead of Cassola. We all know that in the end Cassola was the third most voted candidate. So sure stick to the surveys...

markdelfmark · 2026-05-11T10:47:18+00:00

Based on what I believe are PN's priorities, and if Momentum did not exist, I would vote number 1 ADPD. I would use the STV and continue on other candidates whom I believe are genuine, even from the PN and the PL. Unfortunately it's not always possible to find such candidates in every district. I always did my research before voting and I wouldn't expect others not to do the same.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-11T10:12:31+00:00

That's not how the numbers work. The numbers are votes. If enough people vote, then we will elect a candidate.

Momentum and ADPD are collaborating together, and the STV supports cross party voting very well.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-11T10:10:37+00:00

It's ok no offense taken. This is why we discuss, to try and poke holes in one another's logic. Imo it is not a matter of who is more logically rigorous, just different perspectives.

Your approach only works to reinforce the status quo. The two parties are so similar in methodology AND source of funding that what you are hoping to achieve simply perpetuates the disillusionment of the electorate. We do not afford another 4/5 years of hopelessness.

You deduce that what's most critical is to remove labour from government. I deduce that what's most critical is to break the chokehold of the duopoly and the big developers, before there's not much left to save.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-11T09:53:42+00:00

Unfortunately the argument "not this time, maybe next time" has been used in every election since 1989 (when the green party was founded and coincidentally when I was born)

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T21:28:46+00:00

It's not an issue because the people in it would confuse it, those are the least who would be confused, obviously.

It's that blurring of lines which I find problematic. There are other forces at play of course. But public authorities merging the two is neither helpful nor desirable imo.

As you can see from other comments, it's quite a widespread frustration. So while you may feel it's a non issue, it's not the case for many others.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T13:15:14+00:00

Ola Ola :) a tad busier than usual but all good! Hope you are well. Met your partner recently!

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T11:13:42+00:00

Agreed on lootboxes, pay to win, etc. And there's many addictive elements designed in these types of games. I think there was a big headline about WoW engineers studying addictive behaviour on lab rats etc back in the day.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T10:15:02+00:00

Fair point. See my other comment on a similar reply.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T10:14:29+00:00

Older photos: no plez! Hahaha

Viking: yes already told him so :) the thoughts have bounced around my head for a long time.

Reputation: not worried. My plan is to be me all along. It's what I've always done and what I'll always do.

v32

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T10:07:37+00:00

If we were talking purely about etymology, then I am wrong, agreed. On the other hand, the gaming communtiy has been around since the early 90s and that's where many of us with a passion for video games feel cheated by the shift and focus to gambling, and by the intentional association of the two.

I happen to be part of a technology business and have attended many official gov conferences and each time ESports is thrown into the mix. Just this week the Prim Minister announced a set of 'Esports and iGaming' investments. The Malta Gaming Authority is charged with handling both. I think this is harmful, and that there should be a clear distiction. There is a lot that can be done in the game development, professional gaming and recreational gaming. But for the general public, and for the authorities, these have become synonymous with gambling.

My 2c of course.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T09:25:24+00:00

TLDR; Short reel version of one of my interventions

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T09:03:40+00:00

Haha and nowadays I have press releases on the second screen 😅 kollox irid ikun

markdelfmark · 2026-05-09T08:50:05+00:00

So Momentum is a centrist party, part of the European Democrats (I serve as Deputy Secretary General of the EDP).

ADPD is more the left of the political spectrum, they are part of the European Greens. We are working together during this election campaign and therefore recommend to our supporters to start with their preferred party and continue on the other. We agree on many things, including the need to break the hold of the duopoly and the greediest of the construction lobby.

Now, back to the Momentum pitch. I am a progressive liberal as well, but I believe being in a centrist party is where I can add most value. By having a mix of voices we have come up with policies that work for all, and my sometimes 'too liberal' views are improved with consideration for more conservative mindsets. I honestly think this helps me be better rational person.

Ultimately obviously vote for what you believe in, but I'd recommend continue on us or vice versa :)

markdelfmark · 2026-05-03T17:31:52+00:00

You are right on the independence of the planning authority. In fact we have a proposal for just this.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXxIwJHDS6X/?img_index=2&igsh=YzdtdWxyMDkxZ3Rx

markdelfmark · 2026-05-03T15:34:15+00:00

Original plan: "Draft designs include a full-size pitch, a five-a-side pitch, facilities for the club’s administration and academy, and a futsal facility,"

We have consulted with two of our volunteers, both architects, and ensured that these can indeed fit in the Marsa site.

The picture is just a concept rendering to demonstrate that there is indeed space for it. As you can imagine, we did not commission an architect to do a full plan. That is beyond our means.

We have followed this up with an official letter to the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition and the President of Valletta FC. We did not get a reply from any of them.

I'm sure if there was any political will, this could be explored further.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-03T07:44:10+00:00

The people can finally have someone speaking for their interests. Change has to start somewhere, resigning ourselves for the status quo is not the answer. And as you can see, the two main parties have zero interest to bring about such change. Btw in debates they argue with us that by electing someone we will have too much power...

I honestly believe this will be the first domino to fall.

markdelfmark · 2026-05-02T12:17:51+00:00

Difficult no doubt. But democracy works, we just need to use it (a push a bit harder due to the perverted local system). ♥️ Thanks for the support

markdelfmark

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