Lies, corruption, shame= Spanish democracy

I could write thousands of pages, but I don't want to throw all my rage against the daily revelations on Spanish corruption on the blog. It will be too depressing to read. That has to be enough.... As simple as that: corruption has destroyed democracy in Spain. It's our duty, citizens, to restore it. We are the only ones capable of doing it. Let's not waste too much time talking about our usual liars, our vile, shameless politicians (let's hope justice will do it for us).

When the judge opened the record of corruption, the stench became unbearable

Bastards Out of the Spanish Congress Now!

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, THIS (please watch the video below) happens

El PSOE pide la dimisión de la diputada del PP Andrea Fabra

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As you can see on the video, Andrea Fabra, deputy at the Congress for PP, yells "Fuck them all"  while Mariano Rajoy was announcing cuts in unemployment benefits (5 milion citizens are unemployed in Spain). A political representative insulting the citizens. This is the lowest moment I ever seen in Spanish politics (democratic times). 

It shouldn't be that surprising, in all honesty, as she's the daugther of Carlos Fabra, former president of the Province of Castellón, president of PP there for 22 years, and one of the most corrupted politicians of this country ever. After all, this is a country where a bunch of powerful families have always had the control of the territory, in particular during very dark times (not that long ago) where they were fascists chieftains. The manners may have changed, but sometimes, like Andrea's yelling, the inner truth explodes. Of course, her excuses (she says she reacted against the PSOE congressmen) is ridiculous. Makes absolutely no sense. But what can you expect of a majority of the Congress that applauded, vividly, the most drastic cutbacks of Spanish democratic history.

If we want to restore our democracy, people like Andrea Fabra must disappear from politics. You can help signing the petition for her resignation here at change.org We need to clean out the bastards from the Congress!

Spain: betraying citizens, betraying democracy

"The time to rise has been engaged/ You're better best to arrange"

R.E.M.   "Finest Worksong"

Enough HAS to be enough.

Methods to get out from the crisis:
I. Becoming rich
II. Becoming even richer
III. Run away
Vignette by El Roto

Yesterday, our Spanish government certified another brutal series of measures, the biggest ones we haver ever suffered during democracy, against us, the citizens. Our president, Mariano Rajoy, also proved that Spain is no longer a sovereign country, but a piece of land ruled by the European Union. Did we vote for that last year? Did anyone who vote in that election, no matter which option you voted, or even if you voted blank or null, knew our president was going to be in the hands of someone else (that we didn't choose)? I don't remember it. Which is weird because I do remember casting my ballot then (as I have always done since I'm legally allowed to). 

Rajoy justified the measures explaining us, citizens, that we have to make another effort, and pay more while we earn less, because is the only solution. Which is a FLAGRANT, unacceptable, outrageous LIE. Because:

We, citizens, ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE for the BANK abuses. We don't have to pay for their rescue.  

We, citizens, ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE for the vile and corrupted behaviour of our political leaders
We, citizens, ARE BEING IGNORED by the ones that are supposed to represent us. We should never forget that they are representing us, they serve us, not the contrary. If they are not capable of solving the situation without harming us, they should resign. IMMEDIATELY.

The sort of cuts the conservative government are imposing are not the only way out. It is only a political decision that responds to a very contested way of understanding economics. Many voices, in a very open way, around Europe and the rest of the world is asking for another kind of economic policies. Take the announcement of increasing VAT to 21%, for example. It's a measure that will ballast consumption, therefore aggravating the crisis. Misery is just around the corner with that sort of policies. It simply doesn't make sense. The argument argued by our politicians, saying that we had a very low VAT before is a complete, perverse MANIPULATION. Look at this numbers:

Germany VAT: 19% Minimum Wage: 1.993€
United Kingdom VAT: 20% Minimum Wage: 1.201€
France VAT: 19,6% Minimum Wage: 1428€
Netherlands VAT: 19% Minimum Wage: 1446€
Spain: 21% Minimum Wage: 641€

Besides, and never forget, that among the political decisions taken in this terrible 6 months there has been one that is particularly revealing: the "TAX AMNESTY". Until November 30 2012, individual and corporate taxpayers (the millionaires of this country that are evading their capital in fiscal paradises) will be permitted to voluntarily disclose unreported income or assets by paying a special 10% levy on the amount or acquisition value, with no criminal or administrative penalties, surcharges or interest. They are demanding drastic efforts to the vast majority of the population while they are alleviating the much needed pressure to the biggest fortunes, who by the way, are committing an obvious economic fraud. That is an ABERRATION, that invalidates any of their political justifications when announcing an unpopular measure. There are several alternatives instead, but it is clear who they are trying to protect... even at the cost of ending with our welfare state.

I could keep on and on (justice, education, health, freedom of expression, repression, don't even let me enter into football) but its all pretty obvious. Our political leaders are either puppets in the hands of biggest powers, or rats trying to take benefit of their position while they are in charge. THEY DON'T REPRESENT US. Our government is against us, the citizens. And by doing so they have sentenced the concept of democracy to death. They are destroying our rights. That is unacceptable. 

Then, it's time for us, citizens, to restore it. We are the only ones that can revert the situation. It's our duty as citizens. We have to kick them out of the power. Today, more than ever, we need a Real Democracy Now!

Elbow, the real absolute majority

Elbow (+ Howling Bells). Sala Apolo, Barcelona, November 20th 

Guy Garvey at Apolo, BCN
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Dear Elbow, thanks for an amazing night. And for making us forget, at least for two hours, the depressing Parlamentary elections we were celebrating Sunday. For us, the privileged audience of the Sala Apolo, there was no Mariano Rajoy, Rubalcaba, the unfair electoral system, economic crisis, etc. Just you and your wonderful music. Thanks.

The start of the night was already promising, as Howling Bells was a very interesting support act, with a very recommendable homonym debut album and a praised live presence. Unfortunately, their gig was too short to allow them prove their talents. The voice and presence of Juanita Stein was remarkable, and some guitar-driven passages were stimulating, but we missed some recognisable songs and a longer setlist. I want a second chance to judge them properly.

Howling Bells, Elbow's support act
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

But there wasn't time for complaints. After a pretty spectacular work from the technicians preparing the stage, Elbow showed up and, among a venue full of devoted fans (sadly a majority of foreigners) they started with "The Birds". An instant communion begun, with Guy Garvey as the indisputable high priest. What an extraordinary master of ceremonies. Impeccable singing, talkative, happy and close. Haven't seen many frontmen with that dominion of the stage, without the need of dancing or behaving in a physical way.

The gig was focused on material from "Build a Rocket Boys!" and "The Seldom Seen Kid" with some few exceptions, and had three-four different parts. On the first section, they connected with the public using "heavy fire". The enormous "The Bones of You" and "Grounds for Divorce" (with additional percussion from our man Guy), the beautifully romantic (great lighting for the song) "Mirrorball", the restrained epic of "Neat Little Rows". Who care about elections when you have such a singer/lyricist joined by a bunch of gifted musicians?

Cheers to 20 years of greatness! Photo: Bloodbuzzed

For the second segment of the concert, Elbow decided to settle down. In my opinion, they went a bit too far away with that aim. Too many consecutive  slow songs would ruin any kind of indie-pop/rock gig... but not an Elbow one. "The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver", "The Night Will Always Win", "The River" (dedicated to the Llobregat river thanks to the translation of the public), the rescue of "Puncture Repair". Individually, they are delicate, intimate (some of them were played by just Guy and keyboardist Craig Potter) gems of indie pop, and the proof Elbow have become so confident of their attraction and power, but played together they were a considerable risk for the audience.

Thanking audience. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

It was obvious the gig needed a change of rhythm, but Elbow decided to do it in its own way. "Dear Friends" sounded amazing and compelling, and then the world stopped with "Lippy Kids". To me one of the peaks of their incredible career, to see/hear a whole audience captivated and giving all they have in their throats and lungs to join Garvey whistling or singing the line "Build a Rocket Boys!" was magic. And from there on, nothing more than greatness. There was time for celebrating Elbow's 20th anniversary as a band, with the audience congratulating them with a deserved "Happy Birthday" that the group thanked with the performance of "Weather to Fly" and to close the concert, before the encore, on a very high note with the spectacular "Open Arms", again with Guy fully involving the audience.

The encore became a section of the gig on its own. It started with "Starlings", with the band armed with trumpets for the fanfare part. I don't really like the song on the record, but I admit I was overblown with its performance live. But the best was yet to come, with a fantastic rendition of "Station Approach" a personal favourite that I wasn't expecting to hear, followed by their biggest single, and perfect closer, "One Day Like This". An outstanding gig from an outstanding band. Rajoy who?