Socialists plan to reweave the social fabric of Spain

Socialists plan to reweave the social fabric of Spain
Elaine Sciolino/NYT NYT Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Agenda aims at sexual and cultural change

MADRID In the aftermath of the terror attacks here, it seemed that the election of Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and his Socialist Party would have its greatest effect in foreign policy - the possible withdrawal of Spanish troops from Iraq, the repair of damaged relations with France and Germany.
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But the realization is dawning that the greatest effects may ultimately be felt in Spain itself.
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Zapatero, it seems, thinks that his country should have a sexual and social revolution.
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The 43-year-old lawyer wants to legalize some form of gay marriage, rid public schools and medical research of Catholic dogma, create nonpartisan state television and pass laws eradicating sexism in Spanish society.
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http://www.iht.com/articles/512666.html

...has set himself quite an agenda no? I have a feeling it'll bite him in the ass though. Too much too soon in a country so old is usually not very wise.

Well, if he takes it in small nibbles, he might do just fine. You are right in thinking that if he tries sweeping changes, it might not just bite him in the ass, it might kick him in the ass and get them elected out in the next cycle.

I think that people en masse don't like the rug yanked out from under them, no matter how good or correct the change might be. I mean, if we woke up tomorrow, and had socialized medicine, people would go nuts simply because it was a huge change. Slow and steady wins the race.. Take it easy, and the people will surely follow with open hearts!!

~Almost

Hardly surprising, it comes from Europe.

laws against sexism. I'm not really on board with that. That is state control over my life.

Ridding schools of religious garbage I support in every country.

Legalizing marriage to me is simply affirming a basic right which I believes already exists.

Non-partisan television is next to impossible. I'm interested how he plans to tackle that issue.

We all know why he wants to do the TV thing, yes? My guess would be that the next thing he does is some sort of electoral reform that cuts out the corrosive effect of One EuroDollar = One Vote.

After that then start hitting the Economic Democracy/Justice drum harder.

I personally hope that he succeeds but I have a fear that "A Very British Coup" will be played in Espanol....

I really don't know. However, IF Bush is re-appointed, and IF by some miracle I suddenly found myself financially FREE,...I would seriously consider defecting (although I doubt I would seriously qualify,...BUT, on the other hand, hell, maybe I would *LOL*) to Spain.

I've been to Spain a couple of times and it's probably my favorite destination, especially Barcelona and the Mediterranean coast.

:thumbsup:

The US propaganda machines are attacking him.

Of course, it would be nice if the USA and Spain would arrange to have open borders between the 2 countries, letting Americans use the money they have paid into our draconian and stingy Social Security funds, to let us use them to obtain the more generous universal medical and social welfare programs of Spain. And of course Spainards could come to the USA to work. But they would likely return home to Spain when they had a nice nest egg-that is what the USA is good for as far as the EU is concerned.

what Europeans have paid draconian taxes to get (i.e. National Healthcare and Social Welfare)?

What makes you think they want to give it to you? After all, they paid for it.