Well said.
Ever looked into how the Federal President of Germany is selected? Yeah, selected, then "voted" in by the Federal Assembly (consisting of the parliament, state parliaments and celebrities), none of us lowly Germans is ever asked whom we want. And then they run off after a couple of years and we have to pay their astronomically high pensions, staffed office, security, car and car driver (all times five currently, plus the current one). I guess in the end the monarchy in Spain costs a lot less than our former Presidents (I read somewhere, that our Presidency costs just as much as the British monarchy). And last not least, when I look at Belgium or the Netherlands and I guess Spain won't be that different: former monarchs nerver retire entirely, they still work for their money. I saw one of the protesters in Spain on TV and her complaints, that in republics people get to elect their head-of-state and that it costs a lot less. I would have liked to laugh into that woman's face.
And in reading your comment I had to laugh out loud, we Americans have voted for our government and we(some of us)deserve what we voted for, a bunch of damn crooks. Mind you, I so agree with your comment, yet one thing is that there are more Germans then you and you can't vote for all of them........being this, sure we can vote, I have voted and now I refuse to do so, why, there are toooooo many idiots in America that vote for the same ole men in grey suits that know how to give the people the sweet talk and charm the ladies with great smiles and hold all those babies(that they hate by the way) and then these politicians that we vote for go into office and rob is blind, steal and lie and take all the benefits that the poor and what's left of the middle class away from us so that they can stuff their own bank accounts. All of them except (2) in the entire bunch think that they are KINGS/QUEENS and get all that your president gets plus more, we have over 300 of those kings and queens and they are costing us tons of money. So now they have okay the sell of drugs to the people to make even more money...........money is their God. Do I like my government.......hell NO and I can't vote them out of office because I am only one(1) vote and there are more votes then mine that want them in office. Being in the back pocket of bankers, wealthy people beyond any means we can even dream of, men who are trying to buy the votes of the people with lies and more lies........I have no one in my government that represents the people. If you want them, you can have the whole darn lot of them and please keep them.
Thanks Lula, it sounds good. I guess it will be broadcasted since minute 0 (that´s it, Zarzuela Palace at 9:30 in the morning). I hope the coverage will be fine as well.
There is more to King Juan Carlos' abdication than meets the eye! Why would he continue to need total legal protection after he has abdicated?
You were right Duke!
Government seeking total legal protection for Juan Carlos after crown handover | In English | EL PAÍS
We will never know the full story as to why JC gave up the throne he so desperately wanted. There is for sure so much more then meets the eye in regards to him and his daughter. He has left Spain in such a mess and the Queen left with what...........her future was in his hands and he just destroyed all he touched. I hope he fades to the background and just disappeares forever and take his daughter with him. Karma sure came back and bit him big for all the problems that he has caused. He really needs to look in the mirror and be hones with himself which will never happen.
You were right Duke!
Government seeking total legal protection for Juan Carlos after crown handover | In English | EL PAÃS
I agree with you on all counts.Come on Elizabeth... "He has left Spain in such a mess"... I think you have missed the fact that Spain is governed by a democratically elected Government and comprises of 17 autonomous regions, all with their own Governments and parliaments, holding great executive powers? How can a ceremonial head of state have left "Spain in such a mess"? Is it his fault that the real estate bubble exploded? Is it his fault that the worldwide crisis which started in the United States engulfed the world and hit his nation mercilessly hard?
This King started his Reign as a puppet from dictator Franco but, despite being indoctrinated as Franco's effective hostage, nevertheless took a firm hand and lead Spain into the modern world, to liberalize the country, to join the EU and NATO. Spain, in the 1980's still one of Europe's poorest countries made a gi-gan-tic boom in the Reign of King Juan Carlos. It started with the best Olympics ever, the one of Barcelona 1992. Then the world suddenly saw a new and a modern Spain. The nineties and the first decade of the millenium saw Spain as one of Europe's economic miracles. The King's reputation and public approval rose to unseen heights.
The deep crisis hit Spain hard. Almost half (!) of the youth can not find work. Spain and the Spaniards had to bring immense sacrifices to keep up those financial giants to prevent the whole nation tumbling down. With draconic measures Spain has now found the right way. Of course this immensely affected the trust the Spaniards have in their country, in the State, the institutions of State, the financial world, all embodied by the person of the King. They see that Spaniards are enforced to leave their properties. They see that Spaniards have to queue for food banks. They see that the best and the brightest leave the country to find jobs elsewhere. It is only natural that the general discontentment translates into more zest amongst separatists, more hostility against "the gentlemen there high up above us in Madrid" and ultimately embodied by the most profiled Spaniard of all, the King.
Please, no any of today's present Kings has endured what Don Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón had. Born in exile in Italy. Spending his youth in Portugal. Back in Spain being separated from his parents and "hostaged" by Franco to brainwash him in a "true patriot" (according his fascist ideology). He saw his brother-in-law loosing his throne in Greece. He had to fight for his sake amongst scepticism and pretenders. In the first years as King he was met with suspicion, the Spaniards fearing a second Franco hidden behind that smile. The coup d'état by discontent military which was slashed down by the King's unlimited support towards democracy.
Really... Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat (Honour Those Deserving Honour). After the announcement of the abdication, the Spanish media were overflooded with retrospectives about the King's Reign. The Spaniards have -again- realized how eventful the King's Reign was, how they all live in a total different Spain than when the King started. The praise and the approval for the King's Reign is high but all admit that it was wise he abdicated. The King visibly is in pain, the Spaniards see a very aged, old man suffering physic problems. Behind him they see a tall, healthy and proud Prince, full of zest and facing a bright future. It is only natural that such a change revives an institution. We saw it in Belgium. Even in the Netherlands, where the approval for Queen Beatrix was rock high, her abdication rejuvenated the Royal House.
I do commend you on your comment, it seems I have tons to learn about JC and his life. You have given me a wealth of info that I did not know before. I will tell you that I have judged this man on how he has treated his wife, *I don't like men that cheat on their wives* period and guess you can assume why I said that.Come on Elizabeth... "He has left Spain in such a mess"... I think you have missed the fact that Spain is governed by a democratically elected Government and comprises of 17 autonomous regions, all with their own Governments and parliaments, holding great executive powers? How can a ceremonial head of state have left "Spain in such a mess"? Is it his fault that the real estate bubble exploded? Is it his fault that the worldwide crisis which started in the United States engulfed the world and hit his nation mercilessly hard?
This King started his Reign as a puppet from dictator Franco but, despite being indoctrinated as Franco's effective hostage, nevertheless took a firm hand and lead Spain into the modern world, to liberalize the country, to join the EU and NATO. Spain, in the 1980's still one of Europe's poorest countries made a gi-gan-tic boom in the Reign of King Juan Carlos. It started with the best Olympics ever, the one of Barcelona 1992. Then the world suddenly saw a new and a modern Spain. The nineties and the first decade of the millenium saw Spain as one of Europe's economic miracles. The King's reputation and public approval rose to unseen heights.
The deep crisis hit Spain hard. Almost half (!) of the youth can not find work. Spain and the Spaniards had to bring immense sacrifices to keep up those financial giants to prevent the whole nation tumbling down. With draconic measures Spain has now found the right way. Of course this immensely affected the trust the Spaniards have in their country, in the State, the institutions of State, the financial world, all embodied by the person of the King. They see that Spaniards are enforced to leave their properties. They see that Spaniards have to queue for food banks. They see that the best and the brightest leave the country to find jobs elsewhere. It is only natural that the general discontentment translates into more zest amongst separatists, more hostility against "the gentlemen there high up above us in Madrid" and ultimately embodied by the most profiled Spaniard of all, the King.
Please, no any of today's present Kings has endured what Don Juan Carlos de Borbón y Borbón had. Born in exile in Italy. Spending his youth in Portugal. Back in Spain being separated from his parents and "hostaged" by Franco to brainwash him in a "true patriot" (according his fascist ideology). He saw his brother-in-law loosing his throne in Greece. He had to fight for his sake amongst scepticism and pretenders. In the first years as King he was met with suspicion, the Spaniards fearing a second Franco hidden behind that smile. The coup d'état by discontent military which was slashed down by the King's unlimited support towards democracy.
Really... Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat (Honour Those Deserving Honour). After the announcement of the abdication, the Spanish media were overflooded with retrospectives about the King's Reign. The Spaniards have -again- realized how eventful the King's Reign was, how they all live in a total different Spain than when the King started. The praise and the approval for the King's Reign is high but all admit that it was wise he abdicated. The King visibly is in pain, the Spaniards see a very aged, old man suffering physic problems. Behind him they see a tall, healthy and proud Prince, full of zest and facing a bright future. It is only natural that such a change revives an institution. We saw it in Belgium. Even in the Netherlands, where the approval for Queen Beatrix was rock high, her abdication rejuvenated the Royal House.
