After reading the long interview the newspaper had with Dr Charles Mangion (TMID, 8 December), I think that the experienced politician must have already received a magic wand as a Christmas present. Dr Mangion did not hesitate to criticise the government on all fronts and showed one and all that he has the magic wand to solve all the problems that the country is facing.

But, as is normal with opposition spokesmen, Dr Mangion fell short of giving the right solutions. It is very easy to find fault in everything the government does or proposes but it is not that easy to give solutions to solve problems. One noticed that when the government came up with the right proposals or solutions, Dr Mangion found it very convenient to brush aside the argument very quickly. But when he disagreed, he blamed the government for its wrongdoings.

Dr Mangion did not recognise the many financial decisions that enhanced our earnings in the last budgets. It was as if he forgot that all government employees received much better conditions and salaries that will continue to materialise in the coming years. And what about the hefty sum that was voted for much better children allowance, which was given to all the children in our families? The full increase in the cost of living to all pensioners was conveniently ignored too. Wasn’t he one of the many taxpayers who benefited from the annual tax-cuts? What was positive and of great benefit to us all was not mentioned or purposely overlooked by Dr Mangion.

I’m sure that as an opposition spokesman, Dr Mangion follows what is taking place around the world and how the financial situation is crumbling around us by the hour, and how many thousands of employees are losing their jobs every day in many factories in all European countries. Others are simply closing down sending their employees on the dole.

And what about the US? More than half a million lost their job in just one month! Is this what Dr Mangion is anticipating so that he will continue to sow uncertainty, and at the same time blame the government and so gain political mileage?

Why doesn’t he be thankful that up to now the Maltese economy has survived all this horrendous storm and has managed to overcome many of its problems? Like many other people all over the world, we Maltese have to make some sacrifices too, in order to sustain what we have obtained in the past.

Or is Dr Mangion’s doom and gloom so synonymous to his party’s strategy?

P. Calleja

San Gwann