So..it´s been a while since my last blog post. It will never happen again.
I´d like to share some of my thoughts about the ongoing political scandals concerning money laundering, fraud, corruption and other words you might find describing deadly sins in Dantes "Divine Comedy" - yes, the part where he talks about hell...
We were watching the news the other day, and my husband says "My God, every news story is the same...it´s corruption and money and fraud and I don´t know what..." He thinks all Spanish politicians should be put on the streets and that Germans should rule Spain - at least that is what he says every time he gets the oportunity to voice his opinion. My usual answer (after "oh shut up. Do you always have to repeat yourself?"), is: I guess you get what you deserve. And so I smile, sweetly.
Yes, I AM sorry for you, Spaniards, but I do think you get the politicians you deserve. (I´m sure I´m quoting someone here..who?). Corruption isn´t something that concerns only politicians and businessmen. I´m quite sure, unfortunately, that almost all Spaniards would´ve done the same if they had the oportunity.... a little money under the table...trying to fool the system a little bit....getting money that are not meant for you but you think it should´ve been.... Don´t tell me you never heard about all the undeclared work in the (ex)construction business! About people saying: "well...yes, I am registred as unemployed, and I DO work, but I earn almost nothing, so I don´t tell Seguridad Social that I´m doing it...
And to illustrate, let me translate part of a (very long) mail my husband got from a friend, currently living in Great Britain:
Subject: Do we get what we deserve? A conversation in the "taberna".
- What are you having?
- An Alhambra Special
- Please, two Alhambra Special!
- So...time flies, eh? It´s been a while.
- Yeah, it´s about time we had a few beers and a good chat!
- Well then, how are things going?
- I can´t complain, really. Still got the garage in the village. And you?
- Well, I got through in the medical board and got the "invalidez" (disability) thanks to Joan Sola, the village laywer. I´m still continuing with my business here in the capital, though. With my wife.
- Well done, the situation is f***ed. I myself had three men working for me in the garage, but I had a chat with them and we agreed to finish their contract. But, of course, they still continue working.
- They´re dismissed and still continue working?
- Yes. It´s the best for all of us, really. I dont have to pay employers tax, which you know are really high, and they get unemplyment benefits pluss their salary, but I obviously pay them less than what´s in their contract. Everybody´s happy: they earn more and I do too.
- And if they discover you?
- Who´d ever pass by the village? And anyways, all three garages of the village are doing the same and we´re not going to rat each other out.
- Ah, ok.
(The two friends continue talking about how to get scholarships to their studying children (by not having income...on paper), how to avoid registration tax on new cars (by finding someone in the family that is disabled and putting his/her name on the papers) how to fool the inspectors of the city council etc etc)
- Speaking about the city council...did you hear about the mayor?
- Yes! What a "cabron"! (asshole...) How little ethics! I WAS wondering why the same company always got to collect the garbage...and it doesn´t surprise me that the company just happened to be his son-in-laws business....
- What a gang of corrupt bastards that are governing us! What a shitty country this is!
- Yes, we shouldn´t vote for any of those scoundrels. They´re all the same.
- No doubt about it. So, do you want another beer?
- Sure. I just have to pop out to check on my car. I double parked it just outside.
(Probably with the emergency lights on....)
- the end - -