Inflation remains high, those living beneath the threshold of poverty now number 6,900 families making a total of 106,400 persons. The gap between the poor and the rich in our country is widening year by year. Yet we are told by the minister of Finance that 2007 has been a good year for the country financially speaking. The question that begs to be asked is: ?For whom?? Is that what is called pulling the wool over the nation?s eyes?

More than 8,000 children have failed the CPE exams this year. The current CPE system remains a survival of the fittest, a merciless race to the tape. If we care for our children, is it not about time that we adopt a system of continuous assessment and stop this rat race? Should the minister of education not take the bull by the horns and move on from what he calls a transitional stage?

We hear of alleged corruption at the Municipality of Quatre Bornes and the Beach Authority. No doubt there might be more cans of worms waiting to be opened. It is not surprising that we are spiralling down on the anti-corruption scale of Transparency International. Is that what is called ?to come a cropper??

After all, the commotion between the government and the sugar industry regarding never-ending negotiations, we are now told by the prime minister that it was a historical agreement, by the way a term overused these days. There is every reason to ask if it is the case considering that there has been no fundamental change in the ?MAAS?. There is still only 2,000 acres of land on offer. The shares will be obtained at a cost. There is no guarantee that much will change after the assessment by foreign experts. Is that what is called ?all that glitters is not gold??

After the ballyhoo about the supply of flour for next year, first, there was going to be no contract for the local firm, LMLC; now it has become 50%. There has now been an about turn of 180 degrees in the whole process. What is next for the beleaguered minister of Industry? Imagine all this kerfuffle and then having to back down. Is that what is called a twist in the tale?

The MSM tells us that its leader should be designated as the potential prime minister in any future alliance; how fanciful and unrealistic! The MMM has clearly made it known that it is going to be the senior partner in any political deal. So obviously there is no chance of any meaningful alliance between the two parties. If that is the case, one of them is heading for oblivion, no prize for guessing.

C.C.C.