READERSWRITE

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ECONOMY!

Since election day is approaching, I want to remind everyone that this election is not about whether we should be a market economy that’s open to the world. It is whether we will be a liberal democracy (like Uruguay or Chile), or whether we will turn into a pseudodemocracy (like Venezuela or Nicaragua). If you are not satisfied with the way the Goverment is handling the economy or other things, you can show it by choosing the legislators from one of the minor parties, but for the presidential ticket and the governor of Buenos Aires Province, choose the candidates who are in favour of a liberal democracy and have a real chance of winning!

Best regards, Luis Spallarossa City

BATTLE OF THE BULGE: PART LV

Dear Sirs,

All out for the Primaries, this coming Sunday. Outcome too close to call, or so it seems, at this point in time. It’s really just an expensive market survey. But the markets no doubt will take the result into account, next Monday. Quite apart from the wrestling match currently going forward between Xi and Uncle Donald.

Meanwhile, the local economy remains comatose up to and including last June, so it will be an absolute miracle if the incumbent Macri government is given another ‘go’ cum October/November next. But miracles sometime happen.... ‘ Veremos!!!’

Bust wishes, David Parsons Via email

HATERS

It’s almost inevitable to link the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas (August 3) with the racism US president has always tolerated and even promoted. Donald Trump has described Mexican immigrants as “invaders,” “criminals,” “gang members,” “rapists.”

His language is offensive, prejudiced, bigoted. There’s a saying in Spanish: “El pes

cado se pudre por la cabeza” (“A fish rots from the head down”), which applies here. He certainly sets the worst possible example. He’s such a hater. Unfortunately, he’s not the only world leader with such despicable characteristics: Putin, Bolsonaro, Maduro, Xi Jinping… and we’re all at the mercy of their whimsical, unpredictable behaviour. Sigh… Irene Bianchi Ringuelet, La Plata www.irenebianchi.com.ar

TOMORROW... ( AND THIS AFTERNOON ALSO!)

Should you wake up tomorrow Sunday morning and register a 45-degree fever, and even so still be alive(!), you will have no excuse NOT to go and vote! This, of course, if you believe in keeping Argentina as a democracy and not as an eventual Venezuela.

Another matter to consider: our country’s present politics are ultra-polarised, and there is nothing you or I can do about this, given the fact that what is up to be chosen is the way of life for the coming generations. So be very careful not to waste your vote on options which will have no relevance regarding the basic issue at stake. Remember: “It’s the Republic, carajo!”

This said, allow me to change to a very pleasant subject. A new symphonic orchestra is under way in Buenos Aires and, sort of modestly trying to emulate the famous Academy of St Martins in the Fields of London, it will be known as the Orquesta de San Ignacio. The members of this orchestra include young musicians of diverse nationalities, including Venezuelanémigréswhobelongedtotherenowned Sistema created in that country to integrate children of modest origins through music.

This afternoon their second concert will be taking place at San Ignacio, the oldest church in our city, which is located on Bolívar street just off from Plaza de Mayo. The time is 4pm and the entrance is free, and there will be works of Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven. A lovely opportunity to get away for a while from the pressures of these days.

Oh, and before I forget, I will be purging what is left of my brain during the next couple of weeks, so hopefully someone else pops up with more entertaining letters than mine! Harry Ingham City