For a few denarii

For a few denarii, on the front page of ABC there is frequently a very visible ad –it even appeared recently under a photo of Cardinal Rouco- in which a beautiful woman with bare arms eagerly proclaims “Bravo for sex!” Then underneath, on the same front age, are the “technical” details: "Premature ejaculation? Erectile dysfunction?... Visit our clinic...". Yes, for a few denarii this is available to unwitting readers of all ages...

Later, for a few more denarii –and it’s the same in the majority of newspapers, with exceptions that warrant to be commended- on the inside pages there are ads for prostitutes with blatant images and even more blatant text: "Woman, married but unsatisfied... I’m your slave... Do with me whatever you want..." And then the details of the “specialized” services offered.

Is this how they intend to contribute to educating people, particularly children and adolescents? After this, how can they justify their comments concerning the language and habits of young people and how values are taught in the Spanish education system?

Is it worth it?

I was stunned when I read on the front page of “El País” that the “Bernabeu is too Small for Cristiano Ronaldo,” when over 75,000 fans gathered, not to watch him play, but simply to “see” him, to worship their new idol, the new draft pick who joined the Real Madrid team for 94 million euros. 75,000 inside the stadium and several thousand left outside during the most massively attended debut on record...!

I then asked myself if it is worth the effort to continue to fight for democracy, for social justice and peace... Will we one day be able to mobilize people to meet the challenges of our times? It was in June, 2009... when I told myself that if the majority looks in the direction that the globalizers want them to, the great problems will remain unresolved. Poverty and violence will continue, thousands of children will continue to die each day... Each day over 60,000 people die of hunger and neglect, almost the same number that crowded together that day in the Bernabeu Stadium.

And then, when I observed one of the boys who were jumping for joy at the sight of that excellent Portuguese player, I thought that it is indeed worth the effort –for that child, for the children, because we owe them a radical change—to continue this uphill struggle on the road to peace and solidarity, with efforts to counteract the practically total lack of aid... Convinced that soon there will be many who will look at their children and young people in the same way, joining a rebellion that may lead to a “new beginning” of that other possible world to which we all aspire

For a handful of votes...

They are "possible” votes that are in no way sure since, given the time remaining before the next elections, these activities, so lacking in solidarity, may likewise have a price... in votes.

But even if this were not the case, it is irresponsible behavior with respect to society as a whole and our democratic principles –which shouldn’t be tarnished so frequently- to place at risk decisions that must be taken at the national level, and which our membership in the Europe Union requires.

And I should underscore that these decisions are not to my liking. Neither did I like the “rescue” that the G-20 afforded financial institutions in November, 2008, nor do I like the communications technology and real estate “bubbles” created by the “globalizers” who argued in favor of the market’s “self-regulation” of business activities... Nor do I agree with the “assessment” of the economy by biased and partial public or private institutions... and world governance that continues to be exercised by groups of plutocrats who, avoiding a multilateral system and being incapable of finally eliminating tax havens, are subjecting political life to speculation and enabling the “rescued” financiers to once again seek to run the show...

So I’m not in agreement with practically anything. But not having once, just this one time, put the interests of Spain above their own is absolutely inappropriate and irresponsible.

Great political leaders think about the future generations. The little ones focus on the upcoming elections.

For a handful of votes, or maybe not even that many!