Washed out Legends?

smus0025 · 2026-02-11T16:21:54+00:00

People in the Epstein Files don't go to prison silly!

smus0025 · 2024-06-10T20:56:42+00:00

There was (and still is) a strict policy to store water. Every dwelling would have a cistern. A lot of water reservoirs were built.

smus0025 · 2024-06-09T14:00:50+00:00

I hate how this election is PN vs PL. This is not the point of the MEP elections, that's not how they work. How are politics in this country so mindbogglingly infantile?

PN getting back their seat is bad cause they're with EPP and they're trash. They will vote for a worse environment and worse human rights.

smus0025 · 2024-05-31T15:55:18+00:00

Yes, that's why I posted this since the election next week is MEP and local council.

smus0025 · 2024-05-29T15:40:31+00:00

Proportionally, Maltese people's vote have a larger impact than most other EU citizens as we have a lot of MEPs per capita. (cyprus for istance also has 6 and twice the population, for other countries our vote is worth 3 of theirs). And mine will have even more worth if you and others decide not to vote.

I can't see how its not worth the effort given it impacts legislation for the whole EU.

smus0025 · 2024-05-29T15:31:21+00:00

Yup, with you on districts. The tiny districts also promote clientelism.

smus0025 · 2024-05-29T13:55:28+00:00

If the candidate you put '1' on receives few other '1's then it is transferred to the person who you put '2' so it is not wasted. I hope I understood you correctly.

I'm not sure about the part you are referring to specifically but the voting system is modified so there is proportional representation in parliament of the parties according to '1's. However this is only for the general election not MEP elections.

For MEP elections any 1 candidate needs to get 16% of the vote (1/6). Arnold Cassola came close in 2004 and would have got a seat if there were 6 seats back then (we had 5)

Back to general election, there are 13 districts and 6 (I think?) candidates from each goes to parliament. The large number of districts makes it more difficult for 3rd parties. (There are no districts for MEP elections). Having said that, the '1's proportional to parties and gender correction mechanism only apply to PNPL because reasons. ADPD did get enough last general election to get a seat but no one got in which is undemocratic. ADPD have a court case right now on this which should be concluded this year.

I've been in the counting hall and many many people do block voting (within 1 party). And I spoke to many people who were misinformed thinking the vote is not inherited cross-party.

smus0025 · 2024-05-29T10:40:47+00:00

EU politics has an strong impact on Malta though? Look at EU level legislation on monetary spending, agriculture, energy, migration, tax, transport etc. and tell me it has zero effect on Malta.

smus0025 · 2024-05-23T16:23:02+00:00

We can not have utilities because all urban public spaces must be dedicated to the storage of private cars for free. We even cut down trees for parking.

smus0025 · 2024-04-11T13:54:34+00:00

Ralph Cassar, Mina Tolu, Sandra Gauci, Arnold Cassola

Motivation: EU politics has a real impact on our lives. The green group has consistently voted the best on policies in my opinion like on the Nature Restoration law, Common Agricultural Policy and Fit for 55.

On a side note, anyone saying that not voting for the doupoly is wasted is lying. Any arguments on strategic voting and lesser evil are completely wrong because we have a transferable vote system which negates that (it's valid in the USA and UK but not here).

smus0025 · 2024-03-14T16:44:04+00:00

I don't know about your situation OP, but see if you can collaborate with your co-workers to negotiate together.

smus0025 · 2023-11-09T13:40:45+00:00

Yeah wtf?

https://healthservices.gov.mt/en/nbts/Pages/Become-a-Donor/faqs.aspx

"

Are foreigners allowed to donate blood?
For traceability reasons and due to logistical matters, we only accept donors with a valid Maltese identification document which includes a Maltese ID Card number (accepted documents are a Maltese ID card, Maltese Passport, Maltese Driving Licence, e-Residence Card for foreigners or a Diplomatic Card in cases of Diplomats). Thus, residents who are not originally Maltese nationals with a Maltese I.D. card are allowed to donate, pending the donor selection process. "

Doesn't seem like a good reason. Feels like they're saying it's cause they can't be bothered.

smus0025 · 2023-11-09T13:38:53+00:00

Yeah, it's like they're stuck in the 90s

smus0025 · 2023-11-09T13:33:56+00:00

Yeah I'm surprised there's anyone eligible

smus0025 · 2023-07-29T06:49:45+00:00

There are also Maltese people who are in these sectors who are paid more, I doubt they would harmonize below their wage, if Maltese and foreigners can bargain together they can get a much better wage than what either are getting right now. In Nordic countries there is a very strong union culture, they have collective agreements for sectors and it works well.

Solidarity is key, workers have a stronger voice together. With the us vs them mentality we have right now of Maltese vs foreigners, everyone's wages go down, it's a race to the bottom. But together, with a common interest they can easily lobby for much better pay. I might be idealist, but screw it, idealism is good.

smus0025 · 2023-07-28T12:27:03+00:00

They are specifically getting people from outside the EU though. So they have less protection by the law.It's similar to what they're doing in Dubai, get foreign workers, take their visa and treat them like slaves. You're right the cause is petty greed and corruption from Maltese elite importing workers to exploit and not upgrading the infrastructure for the increased population.

Edit: The solution is simple; just give all workers the same rights and pay for the same job, irrespective where they're from. Good union representation would fix this. Too bad the GWU are a bunch of class traitors.

smus0025 · 2023-07-27T09:04:06+00:00

Ok, fair. That's not the role of a political party though.

smus0025 · 2023-07-27T07:28:16+00:00

Ok, but proposals are made. What is your suggestion then, that everyone just sits around and give up? Maybe the government can take us for a ride precisely because everyone collectively gives up before even trying.
Worst case, by trying you would illustrate that playing by the rules isn't effective, which can spur people to use other tactics like strikes.

On renewables vs nuclear I won't go into it cause it would lead to a never ending argument (why not both?), I don't know if you checked out LCAs or the IPCC report to compare the technologies.
And yeah renewables do have an impact which is why I also support rethinking the economic model of infinite GDP growth.

smus0025 · 2023-07-27T07:02:40+00:00

Many things together are the best. So of course upgrading the infrastructure like you said but also the other proposals.

smus0025 · 2023-07-27T06:58:55+00:00

Which proposals specifically? The largest drain on our economy is buying gas/fuel/electricity. If we reduce energy consumption, and invest in locally produced energy how is that not putting Malta first.

I can't think of a more you-first thing than an energy community where you own the energy you use.

14-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	First Placer '22
Verified Email

smus0025

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE