Bad Taste In Mouth Mono

DEBATE ON THE FUTURE OF THE LEFT and political disaffection
Meritxell Batet, Barcelona, \u200b\u200bUPEC, 16 July 2010.


The institution of politics is a human institution, such as friendship, marriage and family ... There are divorces, separations and quarrels between friends ... but this does not mean we have to destroy the institution, in fact, married people every day, every day we make friends, every day we plan to share life with someone else. With the policy is the same, we can not put away with the institution and we are wrong when we refer to it as an abstract alien to us.

Now we talk a lot of disaffection, but honestly I think there is not so. I mean that Catalonia is more or less like all the surrounding countries.

is important that all the surveys also show a fundamental fact: the discrediting and criticism aimed in any case, the politicians, however, there is a sign of confidence and support democratic institutions. Of course the danger, as pointed Wolin, is to have a "democracy without citizens," who works for the inertia of existing institutions ... will work, therefore, avoid this.

So the first conclusion I wanted to point out is that there is so tired, that is, there is so much hostility, and in any case, perhaps something that cyclical changes with small changes circumstantial (such as the appearance thrills or a leader who made decisions that motivate a massive vote, etc.). Two

data to consider

respect and trust in democratic institutions is not always so
eg Latin America (see Latinobarometer appears on the preference for a dictatorial regime if it leads to a direct improvement in my life)

also varies greatly confidence in democratic institutions depends on the policy option (see statistical CIS): if one is left and 10 right-wing is the percentages are the following distribution: 80%


1-2 3-4 88
% 7-8 72% 90-10 54%


In any case, we do not (yet) and we must avoid is an institutional crisis: the indifference, the moment has to do with the actors and more with an ideology. It remains the right strategy, the talk of disaffection. It is them who should promote further distancing of the citizens with the public.

This means that we should not worry or do not have to address the issue? Not. The debates are shows like this. Are necessary and useful to raise awareness.

part of our ideology, the ideology of the left, improving the quality of democracy and citizen participation in public life. Because we know that nothing is eternal and even think we are a consolidated democracy (they are) does not mean that we should not care. Think of Stefan Zweig's book yesterday when the world tells us how his world a virtually disappeared overnight. Why do we care and we just left formations which have more conscience

Because democracy and the rule of law is the most valuable and we can not do without it because it is what gives us the freedom (Cicero).
For consistency with the discourse of values \u200b\u200band principles that we are advocating. For more legitimacy
third front.
To prevent disaffection from society.

Allow me to point that there are many and complex factors that help citizens feel more distant and is the confluence of these factors that cause it. It is never a simple answer or simple (such as the electoral system) and is not circumstantial, own or Catalonia.

But there is one combination particularly harmful because they increase the feeling of estrangement: Lack of Transparency


exemplary

Honesty & Authenticity

only concerned political parties for votes

+ media only concerned about profit and loss account

The left has a civic responsibility to develop advanced societies in the XXI century. Her, our main task is to combat indifference and neutralization of the desire for justice and social change that weigh on the day of our societies. We must be able to move the epic work by these values.

is no doubt that the economic crisis is currently the main concern of the left. But we must be clear that this priority, say material must be accompanied by an intense civic. Given the difficulties need more and better participation of public institutions, precisely to prevent the severity of the crisis causes:

1. a social divide between democratic politics and the new disadvantaged by loss of welfare.
2. that this gap does not lead to a sharp divide suffering due to a collective aligned with a climate of public indifference that we dragging on the shoulders of democratic societies for many years, long before the economic crisis occurred.

The sum of these factors can lead to a dangerous political equation for the future of democracy and maintaining the structure justice built in recent decades: the sum of indifference and social and economic marginalization can lead hostility to democracy, or put another way, can lead to entry populism. This tipping point is really serious.

Now as I said, I think there was always disenchantment or indifference or abstention:

When politicians had better opinion by the citizens?
Whenever there was no public interest in public matters, nothing in public.

And again there are significant differences in positions (we have seen the survey of CIS without going further).

So

The Left: We put emphasis on civic engagement, the assumption of responsibility by the people, the quality of citizenship and its role in society beyond the individual. The

right: they have this concern and this target as a policy to govern when developing ... exacerbates the danger and so perhaps now more talk of disaffection when the sociological phenomenon becomes political strategy, when it becomes an instrument in the hands of a political option -> ol'extrema the ultra right it also has the complicity of certain media. The maximum known neoliberal "state and the market is the problem solving" this exercise aims to discredit rain of the public: the idea neoliberal lives in a paradox: that politics is still an option actually anti-political and this is populism.

can make another approximation: Vector

liberal civil rights that individuals premium obligation of the State to respect them and protect them. (Paradoxically, also boosted by the left, acknowledging the new civil rights and gay marriage, or improving the law on abortion or accelerating the process of divorce ...)

Vector Republican, that emphasizes the political rights of citizens who, in exercising their public autonomy, are called to exercise these rights must also participate in the governance of society. In developing

of European democracies in general individuals have more dump in the deployment and enjoyment of their private autonomy in exercising their public autonomy compromised. Probably from public institutions has not been promoted enough Republican vector.

This imbalance between the components of liberal and republican democracy is added to the discredit of the public and fed with everything we already have the breeding ground of political disaffection.

values \u200b\u200bof rationality and participation linked to a virtuous republican discourse of affirmation of an idea of \u200b\u200bpositive freedom must be elements of change and transformation that the left claims in a context as I have outlined.

Rationality, because the Enlightenment and the old maximum Kantian emancipatory struggle so that men reach a critical and conscious of age must be an essential instrument of political action. Men

we should continue talking in the XXI century as citizens and that means invoking the reason (not the viscera), appealed to the best of themselves (not to lower feelings) and use a rational narrative structure in the stories we stand politically. This is not to say or defend what people want to hear, but what we think is best for defending the general interest.

feelings and the image is not a goal but a tool for a rational discourse with rational purpose.

Indifference and populism often born of the resentment that people feel it is treated when the object is a kind of emotional pim-pam-pum, that manipulates and uses object-sensitive consumer and marketing policy ... to be reduced when customers or consumers.

participation, because based on what you've said we have to add that democracy develops in the forum, the public debate in daily presence in the affairs which define the general interest. Deliberative democracy is participation (Habermas) and that means language, intelligent exchange of arguments and contrast using the same reasoning which participated comparable and equal dignity of the participants is a sine qua non of the process.

Respect for others; the measure, which allows the coexistence must be present in our debates. In fact, Parliament is the temple of freedom of expression, speech, debate and, instead, certain words may be cut. Moreover, even the newspaper can disappear session and no one thinks that this infringes on freedom of expression. Why? Because we know that freedom of expression is not unlimited and there are other values, other freedoms and other rights that should prevail.

is curious when we try to do this exercise and apply these settings in most discussions that take place here from time to certain media: neither respect nor far, neither empathy nor spirit agree: to be devastating is the goal.

Speech Republican, that is, assuming that governs for the people and the people, this being the political will that is built on sovereignty and that subordinate institutions, which must be controlled by citizens through an ability to direct and transparent dialogue with governments. However, they must learn to treat people with the dignity it deserves and, therefore, nothing better than to be virtuous copies to the defense of its own representation: self-discipline, responsibility and rationality in the use of arguments and the appeal to citizens to participate this: freedom to participate in and feel treated as an equal, as someone who listened and handles.

Recovery of Utopia, the left should back the utopia understood as the exploration possible acceptance of that deal than we are given.

Given the uncertainties and fears (of economic crisis, the constant changes, the heterogeneity of society ...)

face injustice, intolerance, exclusion, violence, hunger ...

There is only one path, a path that all members share this table: more political, more left-wing political action.

Róż Clinik Blush Wear

The honradez is the best policy: and there is nothing more honored in a government that assume the responsibility of its decisions. Well, Spain's government has taken, against this difficult period, measured from the ethics of responsibility. The same responsibility and the same conviction that led to this government to raise and address major reforms that our country had and have to rush. Today we can assert that protects us credibility, because the record of this government is long. By targeting only highlight some relevant points:

- the adoption in 2005 of several laws to boost productivity .
- The Land Act 2007, which laid the basis to curb the housing bubble fueled by the growing popular political easy, when they said that Spain was well.
- The restructuring the financial system, the only structural reforms agreed with the PP, by the way, despite the claim that every day
- The services sector liberalization, with the transposition of EU Directive (with position by the party calling themselves liberal who seemed ready to adopt five-year plans)
- A law ports,
- A Labour reform approved last week,
- or the pursuit of a Pact on Education , aware of what this would mean for the future of our country, This would mean having a stable and agreed to train tomorrow's citizens. Thus, the government recently approved a Plan of Action with clear objectives and adequate funding. Also in this ladies and gentlemen have been left out of the popular group.

strictly in the general government sector we can add value to the work well done, with the approval of:

- a Agencies Act, which implies greater organizational flexibility and a step change in the conception of Public Administration, thinking more on a search results
- a new law public sector contracts
- Civil Service Basic Statute , claimed all these years of democracy
- and an electronic access Act, seeking Adm. modernization but also its efficiency and effectiveness in public service work and reduce burdens for citizens and businesses

And we'll keep passing and bringing the camera further structural reforms to be carried out, we expect the consensus of the main opposition party, as

. reform legislation savings banks (LORCA) to improve the professionalism of its governing bodies and increase their own resources.
. pension system reform to tackle the demographic challenge and ensure its sustainability in the future.
. Or Civil Law of the State Administration .

Therefore, we have worked from day one in the right direction and we will do, aware that the implementation of these reforms will be decisive in the coming decades.

TOUGH MEASURES IN ALL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

In this context, a context of background work carried out for 6 years in office, "of which the latter have been overwhelmed by economic crisis very strong, and in a European context is committed to strengthening economic coordination to more effectively combat this crisis and promote recovery, we come to measures to reduce the deficit affecting public officials and emergency measures.

All these measures taken, all of them, are measures not imposed, but shared with other Member States of the European Union. All countries have implemented an austerity plan between May and June this year.

do not know what reasoning mechanism works in those who argue that the measures taken by Cameron (such as tax increases, by the way) is a decision British government, or that decisions made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on June 7 to cut 10,000 public employees and those who are lowering their wages by 2.5% on average is an adjustment plan very German and very appropriate time, or that Italy freeze the salaries of staff for 3 years is a brave and wise decision of Berlusconi.

said I do not know what reasoning is to say this while reiterating that the decisions taken by the government of Spain, President Rodriguez Zapatero are the result of a European tax while impromptu late. Only from the complex can think and defend it. Only from the desire to discredit our country can defend.

Had we started the fiscal adjustment 2 years ago, in a recession, says it has made the People's Party, would have been the only country in the G-20 not to fiscal stimulus measures to cushion the downturn. If they had done what would have happened if it is easy to predict: free fall growth and more unemployment. So far we have been among the first countries to initiate and accelerate the process of fiscal consolidation.

The truth is there is no time to talk about foreign policy or Spain's relations with third countries the right not bring up the word ridiculous. The PP is ashamed, but shame it only has to do with their insecurity. The uncertainty of when you're young and everything your parents do and the people around you seem ridiculous. Not because this feeling has to do with the objective conditions of the attitude of your parents, like foreign policy has nothing to do with the attitude of the government objective, but by simple insecurity, the insecurity that gives the immaturity of adolescence . The PP is right teenager in Europe, also why it so difficult to take responsibility.

Ultimately, all European countries, all have taken steps that go in the same direction and have also taken at the same time as ours. All these reforms are a key part of increasing confidence and credibility of our economy.

Maybe we're all bumping or changes of direction? No, I think it is something else.

ideological coherence: POLICY COHERENCE AND SECURITIES.
ACTION BY DUTY, NOT BY DEVOTION

These are exceptional measures for exceptional circumstances, so it is not changing approach or move one's position is that imperative must be done because the facts warrant, because that is what is expected of politicians, rulers, capable of decisively deal with situations like it or not, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable, and in the latter case we are able to react. We must be able to identify and defend the public interest and our responsibility (of all) is to be able to explain to citizens.

We've spent far as we could to revive the economy. We primacy maintenance of all policies that were in operation until the debt has reached a number that no longer could increase further. If our goal, as is the maintenance of social cohesion and the promotion of welfare policies is necessary to know that no more debt, so that in future investment in these social policies are not being eroded by the payment of debt.

In any case, the lines of the socialist government policies have not changed: the pursuit of social justice and the public sector have a strong general government, to serve the public, that can ensure equal opportunities are what we seek. We

cuts we make out of obligation, others would devotion.

We do this to save the welfare state, others would do to weaken it, because they are devotees of the state minimum and maximum market. So, Mr. Rajoy spoke last week of the oversized public sector.
This will
face hard decisions now so that tomorrow we can maintain social policies, the government has presented the Decree Law 8 / 2010 of 20 May by adopting special measures to reduce the deficit.

DECREE LAW AS A PROCESS COMPLETION

This decree law also does not come in isolation, but is framed in a context of general government austerity, rationalization of administrative structures and severe spending restraint :

In 2009 the budget was applied to non-availability agreement affecting all ministries of 2,500 million euros.

This year we have approved the Plan for Immediate Action 2010 that meant a cut in expenditure of 5,000 million euros in addition to the already collected in the State Budget and
The Austerity Plan of 2011-2013 AGE, which poses a board cut in spending with an impact equivalent to 2.6% of GDP until 2013.

We therefore applied:

1. the reduction of public employment offer to 10%
2. the reduction officials in 33 and the freezing of their salaries for 2 years consecutive
3. reduction of 29 public companies
4. Streamlining foundations and state-owned enterprises and
5. in particular, the rationalization of the structures of government delegations.

Thus, in addition to those measures already underway, the Government introduced the Decree Law 8 / 2010 with the need for a cut in salaries of public employees, a decrease equitable distribution efforts with a principle of progressive , so that, with the average cut of 5%, the Central Government pay reduction ranges from 7% for members of the group A1 and 0.56% for members of group E (or 2.75% for C2 group). And remember that in a year of exemplary, cutting the salaries of members of the Government, which is lower than that in many cases receive top officials, was 15%.

VALUE OF GOVERNMENT SERVANTS AS

All these measures have nothing to do with not believing in government officials. On the contrary. We believe and know they do a great job, a job too often unsung everyday, and do it for commitment to the public, service-minded. Hence our commitment to introduce all the reforms we have introduced in recent years from the government to improve in depth the AAPP. No need to say that we the side of workers and staff, our policies, when you hold the government and to his credit.

also know that there are also the weakest part: the weakest are those that have been (or already) in the strike with family responsibilities, working in precarious conditions, with timetables and appalling conditions which do not know if next month will be able to continue in this precarious work, the weakest are those who live in a bloody manner the uncertainty, insecurity, the day after ... because that uncertainty is what makes us more vulnerable.

we know all this, we think the tenure, the job security and commitment to the public that makes the vast majority of staff understand this request for an extraordinary effort, because their efforts will impact on a collective benefit that is not to ask a greater sacrifice to other citizens.

On the other hand, I honestly do not think the main opposition party in a position to criticize the measure. During the period of 8 years 1996-2004 ruled, there was a cumulative nominal increase of 15.3%, while the cumulative CPI over the same period showed an increase of 22.8%, public employees lost 7.5 percentage of purchasing power during the administrations of PP, while between 2005 and 2009 there was a cumulative nominal increase of 16%, with a CPI of 12.8%, so that public employees' purchasing power gained 3.2 percentage points.

seems that if bonanza froze wages and were not able to at least maintain the purchasing power of those offering a public service to all citizens, and held a restocking fee of 25% in most years, in a situation like ours not know what decisions had been taken in this area.

In any case, we do know is that the credibility of the PP to defend the public sector is certainly reduced, most with their leader saying that the Civil Service is too broad.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg of the design that has the PP people. The bulk of the problem is that the only possible conclusion after hearing their statements and actions is that they do not believe in people or in the country: perhaps they thought that government employees would not understand the request for this effort? The English right has little regard for the civic engagement of staff, their understanding of the problems of our society, its maturity, its reasonableness. Also, never appeal to the maturity and commitment of staff, but his selfishness more blunt, selfish politicking.

appeal to selfishness, think that there is only private vices ... is a sample of what people think. Citizens are more virtuous than the PP believe. Citizens are able to understand that personal effort can yield a collective benefit. That is our conviction and govern from there ... the issue is to ask from where they intended to govern?

We run from the trust in people, govern and ask them to get the best of themselves. You can not expect to govern by appealing to the worst in people, encouraging and expecting them just selfishness, just because people English is not.

Chicken Pox Annimated Card

Photographer

say that every photo must hide or conceal a story. This hides one where everything revolves around a family and certainly the little photographer trying to capture with his camera to the sun setting over the horizon. His brother seems to care very little what he does, but her sister looks at him sideways trying to understand what puts so much effort. Meanwhile, his mother thinks of those things that only she knows and her father was pleased to note as there is finally something that really seem interested. That evening dine together and talk about studies, friends, problems, joys and disappointments. Surely downloaded the card and see that photo as "beautiful" that took our friend to the natural indifference of his younger brother and his nervousness because the thing is delayed and the game is pitching that day to begin. Her sister just remember the moment in which he shot and imagine how the picture is. The mother behind the door covers the entire scene with a smile trying to slow down time and never let her enjoy every second. His father outside to what happens is lost in the cables and batteries and requests a second of silence because there is something that seems not to work.

Perhaps that day was one more in their lives, perhaps one that will remain indelible over time. The truth is we'll never know, but that is not important since this is his story, the story of a family.