Six brushstrokes on how to change things

After so many years of misgovernment, wastefulness, public representatives subjected to the economic interests of a minority, widespread corruption in contracting and urban operations, and the placing of partisan interests before the general interest, it is difficult to imagine another way of governing. Therefore, when other alternatives are put on the table, new ways of managing this difficult scenario in which we live, a veil of skepticism usually appears, as if it were difficult for us to believe that, really, things can be done differently. 

Along with disbelief, a defeatist and self-serving discourse is also imposed that tries to convince us that if traditional parties have failed to change things it is because they cannot be changed, because reality is too complex to be able to achieve it. It is another way of saying that famous "things are like that, and if we have not been able to, neither will you", trying to instill a submissive conformism in the population. That's what we are here for, to demonstrate that we can, that there is the possibility of managing the general interest in a fairer and more equitable way that does not generate so much "proletariat". 

For those who demand to know how we are going to do it, here are some notes: 

1. Managing to be independent of economic power. The campaign to which we will compete will be carried out without asking for loans or accepting "donations" from businessmen. We must be aware that, if we really want to change things, we cannot get into debt or acquire commitments and considerations with those who do not want anything to change because they are comfortable in the current situation. 

2. Setting an example. After years of legitimate distrust of the true intentions of those who enter politics, we commit to having normal salaries, limit the term of office of our public representatives, and put an end to wastefulness and bad practices regarding the hiring of advisors. 

3. Putting the most urgent problems at the center of the agenda and launching a Citizen Rescue Plan. For example, the new budget approved by the Cabildo contemplates a substantial increase in the investment item, but only a very small part will go to those who are having the worst time. A 2% increase in the items of the Social Care Institute and a 200% increase in roads. 

There is money and resources, what the current leaders do not have is political will or foresight to end the problem of poverty and social exclusion on this island. 

4. Promoting an economy of social and ecological justice, with a view to the economy of the common good, to change the foundations of our model of socioeconomic development. There are ways to fight from the local level, through the means available to councils and town halls (public employment, implementation of social criteria in public procurement...), against the precariousness of employment. 

5. Truly betting, without advertising artifice, on a change of energy model . The possibilities that, at an economic and employment level, offers a determined turn towards a clean island, energetically speaking, are enormous, since Lanzarote has the perfect size and the ideal environmental conditions to achieve it. 

It takes willingness and a work team that believes in this project. 

6. Defending and demonstrating that the public can be managed in a rational and efficient way. That it is not necessary to privatize the best pieces of public land on the island and hand them over to private companies to alleviate their own management incapacity. The Islote del Amor can be a good example: 2.4 million euros after being rehabilitated with public money to turn it into a citizen leisure center, the city council decides to transfer it, with the invaluable institutional support of the Cabildo, to a private company to build an aquarium and turn one of the best public spaces in Arrecife into a business for a few . The original project can be recovered for the citizens of Arrecife and turn the Islote into proof that the only thing missing is political will to put the city at the service of the people. 

These are just six brushstrokes, which are intended to show that what is truly at the bottom of our institutions at this time is not so much a problem of insurmountable management difficulties or lack of economic resources. What is really missing is to have very clear in our heads who we want to serve, what we want to be in the institutions for, to know the exact place towards which we want to go and get going. And it will not take much to demonstrate that we can do things differently, that we have come here to work for the vast majority of the people who have made this land their place to live.

Carlos Meca , candidate for the primaries of Podemos Lanzarote for the presidency of the Cabildo