In with the NEW and out with the OLD seems to be on everybody's lips these days. A change is always wished for but even though sometimes it does not always turn out for the better, it is as refreshing as a swim in the sea in these perfect days of September. As an expat from the UK some 14 years ago, I was privileged enough to enjoy Spain when the Peseta was in circulation.

I remember well, going out with Cinco Mil Pesetas and after having a complete evening of fun, dining, partying and even including the taxi fare home I still woke up with change in my pocket the following morning as well as some memorable hangovers too.

And this was enjoyed as much by my Spanish family of friends who also shared these glory days.

It has been sad to see the decline and I feel very sorry for my fellow Spanish brothers and sisters as it is their country, and such a beautiful country it is, that has suffered greatly from entering into the Euro zone.

With modern day ethics promoting change in every direction which includes the environmental sector for which I am trying to promote with my company Independent Community Surveys, change is also required in our own day to day lives.

For example here arises the birth of a debate for which I find interesting:-

As we know coastal and some inland regions of Spain rely heavily on tourism for income. As the purse strings tighten when the tourism cash injection falls, the local authorities have no choice but to cut costs even further thus creating a downward spiral effect for their affected communities.

And now when a tourist now visits one of these towns and finds that the streets are dirty, streetlights not working, abandoned shabby looking palm trees line the main promenade, beaches are not so nice and most of the local business have now since closed and instead of having a thriving pedestrian street lined with restaurants bars, gift shops and bistros there now lies a semi deserted street full of signs of business closed and trespasos offered.

With nothing to do the tourist will look elsewhere for his/her next family vacation.

Can we help?

With soaring numbers of unemployed people reaching record breaking figures then what if the government was to introduce a bill of order for the unemployment system which would enable us to help ourselves pull the country out of the whirlpool of recession.

This bill would apply ONLY to all healthy & able to work citizens currently claiming unemployment benefits, a doctors certificate can determine either or.

Please note these comments are purely hypothetical and are more than welcomed to be scrutinized and debated upon

The bill would enable the local authorities to utilize the manpower of a claimant of unemployment benefit for a period of maximum 8 hours in a 7 day working week and only would be permitted to use such workforce for simple non comprising tasks i.e., street cleaning, beach cleaning, painting ect.

Which day you wish to offer your service shall be left up to you though a weeks prior notice shall be required and can be done via postal offices, governmental agencies and of course online services.

All formal training and supervision shall be granted as well as certificates of workmanship given to each individual at the end of each task achieved.

HOWEVER, it would be forbidden to use the expertise of a professional i.e. a doctor as such of what that would be expected in their normal environment for "cheap" alternatives in local hospitals. Same applies to all professionals, shopkeepers, teachers, dentists, architects ect ect ect

Everyone would be treated as an equal.

The benefits of such a bill would include that all claimants who have contributed these weekly 8 hour shifts shall be granted an extension to their benefit right as well as the obvious that a cleaner, healthier looking town would attract tourism thus bringing back the urgently required cash injection thus creating jobs and we could be well on our way back on the road to recovery.

Of course many of you may ask how does a local authority that is debt ridden afford to buy materials and safety equipment which would be required for such work to take place. The answer would be through the assistance of the main governmental bodies or even as far as getting assistance from the Euro zone which to date has severely damaged such communities.

The only other contributing aspect that must be addressed is price freezing. There can be no more of this "oh it's a recession and now that I have less clients I am going to make up for the loss by increasing my prices". A company or business shall be restricted to making more than 100% profits on goods offered to the public thus a more economic pricing structure shall be available to the consumer.

Which brings us back to how Spain used to be. The Spanish made good profits and the tourists made good savings and both enjoyed Spain as a country for which it should be enjoyed for. Sun Sea & Sangria

Lets roll up our sleeves and get stuck in.