I am much afraid that what has always been occurring will go on. For a while, there persists a furore about how serious traffic accidents have been multiplying. Protests are launched. Statements are made with full determination to get things done as they should be done. Then nothing happens or matters go back to how they always were. Till another tragedy occurs, if not two.
For anybody not knowledgeable about traffic technology but still quite lucid, it is evident that a number of factors are contributing to what has been happening and continues to happen. They need to be addressed. Otherwise we certainly will continue to subscribe to the same tragic litany.
Among which: newly built roads which have become an invitation to push on speed when driving; badly built roads and streets; consumption of alcohol and drugs before and while driving; drivers without experience at the wheel of high powered cars; an increase in motor cycles on the road; badly surfaced pavements which oblige passers-by to walk on the street outside the pavement; a lack of surveillance and controls; a general lack of discipline.
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PAYMENT OF TAXES
An initiative was announced by the government to start putting the squeeze on people who have been, still are, avoiding to pay the taxes due on their earnings. How well or badly was it received?
Among those with whom I discussed the issue, some said the reception was positive, others less so.
On the plus side: Is it not obvious that this needs to be done? There are people who simply exist to rake euros in, as if that’s all there is to life and everybody knows this is happening. They spend, wallow in money and boast they do not need to worry about taxes.
On the no side: It will be another effort to intrude in people’s private lives. The way by which taxes are set in this country and the rest of Europe is too burdensome. It lacks all sense of proportion and destroys all initiative.
I don’t think I have to clarify where I stand when choosing between these two versions.
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TRASPARENCY
We complain about the confused and less than transparent decisions being taken by the judicial, regulatory and administrative authorities. In my view, those who complain are quite justified in what they have to say. Like about decisions that are badly taken or kept in abeyance. And others which are manifestly incorrect but for which there is no remedy available.
Problems arise in the financial sector, planning, court proceedings. As of now, it is hardly apparent that serious solutions for them have been discovered.
It surely is no consolation but a comparison with what happens abroad is of relevance.
One becomes aware of this on considering say, what happened in Italian football when the Juventus team were first penalised fifteen points and then given back the points lost till their “fine” was again reloaded at ten points.
This was not just a sports issue. It was linked to how Italian financial markets are run. It did merit sanctions. But in this way?
I do not think so.
There was no transparency or the appearance of an impartial justice in what happened. The same has happened on similar occasions, in Italy and in other EU countries. This generates a lack of confidence in how problems are being cleared by institutions.