The economy is the only thing that unites the world, no doubt about that! No State can avoid the repercussions of the global financial crisis, unless it was on another planet. Simple Egyptians are aware of this through their instinct and previous experiences. They obviously did not believe in their officials' rosy statements at the onset of the crisis. It was also obvious that the government would quickly change that mood and admit that the Egyptian economy would face uncommon risks in the future. Obviously, the government has not told the people how they will be affected by this crisis. As usual, they have been left on their own and have not been told "We're in trouble" like all other governments have done. For those who have not understood yet, the trouble means that dozens or perhaps hundreds of thousands of people will lose their job and hang about in cafés, on the streets or perhaps in jail. The crisis also means that both domestic and foreign investments will go down, our children will not find a job and will join the ranks of unemployed all across Egypt. The crisis also means that the markets and consumption will shrink, real estate projects will come to a standstill and the government will spend less on services and utilities, which are already deteriorating. More simply, the government, on which we were calling to develop education, enhance health services and improve utilities and streets, may not even be able to preserve the current poor conditions of all this. Eventually, it will tell us, quite strictly: "Where can I get all this money from? The whole world's feeling the pinch. They eye sees but the hand can't reach". Alright, then. As long as the crisis will affect the entire world, why don't we act like the rest of the globe? Do we always just look at the world when it comes to disasters and never when it comes to solutions? The repercussion of this crisis will affect President Mubarak's electoral platform, which is what we elected him president for at the end of 2005. The President's credibility and legitimacy will be put to the test unless the government carries out his platform from A to Z. This platform includes many promises concerning job opportunities, investments, services, utilities and industries. Perhaps the President is busy with the crisis in Gaza and has not paid attention to the ministers' declarations that the government will not be able to comply with the platform because of the global crisis. I am not calling on the government to do more than it can, obviously. However, the whole world during crises joins forces and looks for all minds' help to get out of such turbulent periods. Egypt does not, though. Our ruling system only sees itself. No one has thought about resorting to world-famous Egyptian experts working in major international organizations. No one has consulted, for example, Dr. Hazem el-Biblawi (a major Egyptian economist), Dr. Fakhri el-Fiqi (with his long experience at the International Monetary Fund), Dr. Ibrahim el-Eisawi (major economic expert), Dr. Ahmed Galal (with his long experience at the World Bank), Dr. Samir Radwan (with his great experience at the International Labor Organization) or Dr. Heba Handousa (an economist). Those people and many more can contribute to easing the burden of the economic crisis on the Egyptian people. This is what all countries do: when the alarm bell rings, all national minds are summoned to have their say. As for Egypt, all we have is the same minds and the same faces, as if authority was like a safe that can be opened only by those having a secret password. As for those who once said "No", there is no place for them in Heaven. Mr. President, defend your electoral platform and summon those who have told you "No". We are all Egyptians and patriotism does not always need one's approval.
