I find the Statute to be decaffeinated because it does not postulate the right to self-determination, which does not imply independence but that Catalans - like anyone else - must be able to decide their future at any time. In fact, the Constitution also denies this right, but now we could overcome the deficiencies of having been drawn up avoiding discomforting the military. On the other hand, I also dislike that the Statute does not guarantee social and citizen rights, and that it has been drawn up outside the people, with a few consultations with unions, employers and some entity. Even so, this Statute is much better than the previous one and necessary to cut the economic deficit that prevents urgent social policies. But the most surprising thing these days is not the Statute but the humiliating realization that in Spain they see themselves as masters of our destiny.
I compare the relationship between Catalonia and Spain to a marriage. The marriage was not for love, and perhaps it would not take place now because there has been a lot of domestic violence and lack of respect, but at present we are still married, therefore we have to start from this situation. This marriage establishes (in the Constitution) that one of the spouses is above the other, and can tell him if he is organizing his life (Statute) adequately. On the other hand, despite the life in common, the spouses should not be annulled as individual people and should have the right to satisfy their vital needs, otherwise the desire to continue living together would be undermined.
Would we think that a spouse could find a marriage that was a prison instead of joy and love stimulating? Would it be a crime for one to want a divorce if the other wants to have a relationship where he commands and supervises everything? It does not surprise me that those of the PP (who see divorce as inappropriate) think that Catalonia is obliged to remain in the Spanish State even if it does not feel good in it and that they mobilize their 700,000 members against the Statute; but I cannot understand that the PSOE, IU and other parties do not realize that the amputations to our freedom only accentuate our discomfort towards this marriage. Catalans are as worthy of respect as anyone else, and it is unacceptable that Spaniards can decide what we can and cannot want. For the moment they can humiliate us with impositions, but if we continue like this, making us feel their power instead of their respect and love, it will be impossible to avoid divorce, just as we would not accept that a person is forced to continue in a marriage that disavows and despises them as a person.
Jordi Oriola Folch