Refusing to forget

The Coronavirus scare has understandably consumed the total focus and attention of not only Malta, but of the world.

However, it also risks distracting from very serious problems which will continue to plague us unless they are addressed. The tragedy that took Miriam Pace from us was not a surprising event, given the wave of previous building collapses. Unless we address the root causes behind the accident, however, then buildings may continue to collapse. Even if they do not, the collapses are a symptom of a deep rot and sickness in our society, and this disease will continue to produce other symptoms until it is cured.

Developers and contractors are going to keep on raping the country as they have been doing since Independence unless we draw a red line and move beyond pleasant words and crocodile tears. The economic and political system of our country is completely broken, and so long as the gravy is flowing, most of those with influence are not going to stop riding the train. The hidden costs are greater than what we are gaining, but our suffering is not being measured against GDP. It is being ignored. The other symptoms of this national illness of over-development include an impact on our mental health, as the landscape, environment and heritage supposedly protected by the Constitution are dismantled and replaced by an alien landscape. Our sense of belonging to our own land is undermined in favour of short-term profit against a concrete backdrop. What is the impact on the quality of life and well-being for all those standing by helplessly as familiar landmarks are bulldozed and replaced by shoddy, ugly workmanship? What are we leaving behind us, except for dust? What is our legacy?

We have all known what the problem is long enough but we have kept on permitting it to get worse. Alternattiva Demokratika has been saying it for decades. Partit Demokratiku quickly realised what the problem is as well. Our politicians have been pimping out the country to a handful of corrupt businessmen. Policies and laws are not enforced. The average person is therefore a second class citizen. Pointing out this disease and trying to fight the system pits one against this hidden power and these wealthy elites. It is why a journalist was murdered. Now we have yet another visible victim of endless greed and gluttony. What of all those who have died as a result of this rotten system, who are not rightly recognised as its victims? The hundreds who die of air pollution every year are casualties of this disease, but their deaths are less dramatic and are therefore easily swept under the carpet.

The problem all boils down to the fact that some of us are more equal than others, and have the power to trample all over us with impunity. Our mental and physical health is secondary to their profits. Our quality of life, culture, heritage and sense of well-being mean nothing to them. Our authorities have long since sold out to them. Challenging them is often met with an iron fist, and the system turning against those who dare to speak up. Refusal to win this conflict, however, will allow the system to strangle the life out of us and torment us without end, like rats in a maze, destined for the dustbin once the game is finished. It is time to make a stand. Enough is enough. Otherwise we will keep suffering while these people keep getting richer at our expense. We cannot allow this madness to go on. As climate change is a symptom of this global pandemic of greed, it is very clearly a political and economic system which is literally killing us all. It is a disease, and in this battle, there can only be one victor. We either succumb, or we overcome. Which will you