Not everything in life is what it seems to be. On contemplation the simplest objects and propositions may turn into complex premises. Take for instance a straight line terminating at two extremities. Clearly the visual image projects a point of reference, a beginning and end of time and labor. Extend both poles towards infinity or bend them to form a full circle and an entirely different prospectus will have formed, where fusion of time and space becomes an undefineable reality. Odd that the two schematics so vastly different in shape and dimension should serve a common denominator. Further, a horizontal bar has three points of absolute reference; an extreme left, a center , and extreme right. The slightest variation in movement towards either far end serves as a fulcrum governed by gravity. In human terms it generates harmony in equal proportion to chaos depending on circumstance.
How does this hypothesis apply to Malta one might be tempted to ask? The answer is in more ways than one. Consider for instance the troubling political division which polarizes Maltese society. At one end of the scale stands the Nationalist Party (NP) upholding a conservative platform skewed in favor of the more established professional/business segment of the population. The NP champions the status quo and is ultra protective of tradition and class privilege. Straddled at mid-point is the Catholic Church maneuvering to right or left of the political spectrum as befits its interests of the moment. At the opposite end of the equation is an equally stubborn opponent, the Malta Labor Party (MLP) champion par excellence of liberal causes and defender of the working class. The history of contemporary Malta is replete with unexpected shifts in political polarity with the church acting as a lever, even as its influence has somewhat declined.
In the late 1880's the line of strategic division in Malta was drawn between Gerald Strickland, an anti-cleric, staunch supporter of British colonial rule, apologist for British imperialism and Dr. Enrico Mizzi a proponent of closer political and cultural ties with "mother" Italy. In very rough terms Strickland would have found common ground with today's MLP while Mizzi a worthy opponent would have firmly identified his bearings with the platform of the NP. The deep permanent fissure dividing the two philosophies then as now remains immutable. No third political party has ever taken root in Malta. Over the years one faction has transplanted its opponent with numbing regularity. In victory each has blamed the preceding government for past misdeeds instead of edging the nation forward towards a better future. Animosity not civility earmarks the change in power. It is deja vu politics as usual. By analogy Malta has gone full circle.
Political ideology set in concrete is not conducive to consensus. Unlike the great Western democracies no political savior has arisen in Maltese politics since Malta gained independence that would have inched hardened attitudes towards the center of balance in a significant way. In fairness Dr. Sant, Malta's Prime Minister under the MLP, deserves praise for his moderate centralist approach to heal old wounds. For all good intentions he remains hobbled by unreasonable union demands which threaten the fragile Maltese economy. A case in point is the unprofitable Malta Shipyards known for shoddy workmanship, schedule slippage and intransigent labor unions. Because of entrenched socialism no government has been able to curb this destructive force, with its propensity to leech off revenues garnered from the public treasury. Equally indestructible are parastatal entities with their make belief public work projects whose lifespans have exceed all expectations. The very term "parastatal" is a pure Maltese fabrication whose existence is not yet acknowledged as a legitimate English word by Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, or any other. A more apt term for pork politics would have been "parasitical", like in parasite. Clearly the imaginary scale is weighed towards left of center, a relic of Maltese political favoritism.
The inordinate loyalty of the Maltese towards an entrenched Catholic church is another facet which begs closer introspection. Like the line and circle the often touchy relationship between clergy and laity defies simple explanations. Indeed, Malta in lock step with other Christian countries has become more assertively secular in matters of personal choice and lifestyles. Yet for all its recent setbacks and shortcomings the church has managed, often through stealth and questionable ethics, to keep a firm grip on government affairs and individual morality. Its rigid stance on marriage, divorce, abortion, priestly celibacy, and homosexuality amongst other significant issues of contemporary conduct leaves no margin to adjust the angle of tilt on the bar sharply towards dead center. Entrenched theology rules supreme at the expense of consensus. Many sincere people who differ in good faith from Vatican dogma find themselves living in "sin" isolated from the mainstream of society by the hypocritical certitudes of ecclesiastics and holier than thou parishioners.
As a sign of modern times hardened religious attitudes have surfaced on the Internet posted by Maltese sources. With a display of certitude and arrogance these chosen people of God quote line and verse from the old or new testament in asserting Catholicism as the one and only true religion worthy of consideration. It matters not that people of different religious persuasion are offended by their blind declaration of faith. As in politics propagation of divine beliefs would be better served by moderation in place of old fashioned fanaticism. Within the realm of individual conduct one observes extremities of declared morality profiled on one end of the spectrum, and a closet full of personal skeletons and human frailty hiding at the other. One would do well to aspire for perfection while keeping in mind the many temptations which plague humanity. The delicate indeed fragile balance between good and evil is of necessity weighed on a scale which shifts up and down in constant motion as ordinary mortals struggle for survival day by day. The mores of people in Malta, relatively insulated as they are by virtue of being island residents, move on the same evolutionary scale as our globe at large but with a greater degree of feeling smug as befits an isolated population. There exists a nagging tendency in Malta to think of the entire world as a Catholic entity.
For all its virtues and vices, past and present, Malta will ultimately prosper as a member of the European community, if not as a constituent of the EU then in close association with it. Malta has shown that it can suffer colossal setbacks and yet prosper. It was so throughout its rich history. Occupied and humbled by a succession of foreign invaders it managed to adopt their integrity without losing its local identity or soul. In truth there is no better model to emulate then the postulated line with its utopian balance. Malta marches on ever more progressive ever more prosperous. To those who disparagingly say "That's Malta" the upbeat refrain is "That's Malta as it used to be" . For Malta a new day dawns, not the first nor the last of its kind, but one full of promise with no boundaries.
E-mail to Joseph Vella: vellajoseph@msn.net
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