A world of absurdity

Albert Camus, French philosopher of the 20th century, in 1957 he received the award Nobel Prize for Literature at the age of 44, becoming the second youngest person to receive this award.

Although we do not share his central approach that existence has no meaning for the universe, that is, that there is no meaning in life, we do share his conception of a third world that engulfs us. Camus says: “Absurdity is born from this.” conflict between human calling and the unreasonable silence of the world.”

Case in hand, annual distribution of plates (now labels) of Municipality of Panama. From their portal, they tell us that the conditions include the presentation of inspection supervision, insurance and proof of payment of the corresponding tax during the month of expiry.

To do this, the taxpayer must go to the municipal offices located in the park. Francisco Arias Paredes diagonally to the seat of the mayor of El Hatillo.

Since I have to carry out this procedure during the month of December, I usually wait until the last week, after Christmas, due to the low flow resulting from the mass migration to beaches and provinces for the New Year.

The good thing is that there are no long queues. When I entered the property, the woman helps me. nice official and after entering my information in the system, cheerfully reports: “Your license plate number corresponds to the month of December.”

We’re still sharing the September ones, get back there Easter week.”

“And what should I do if a traffic driver stops me?” I answer. “They already know. Keep your paycheck and other documents handy.” Then the responsibility for the lack of service is transferred to Tax collectorsomething like a violation of the concept of the defendant’s innocence until proven guilty.

Vice versa. Let’s see how the procedure is carried out in the real world. I’m quoting the county traffic department Miami-Dade in the state of Florida. Its bilingual portal publishes the validity of the “RenewExpress” system, which allows taxpayers to perform online table renewal (in this particular case, it is a sticker for renewing the license plate because the can remains as it is) up to 3 months before its expiration. The taxpayer has the option to receive your new sticker by mail or pick it up at one of the traffic service branches, after payment by internet banking or credit card. It also has the option of renewal for a year or two. If, after removing the sticker, if the taxpayer chooses to carry out the procedure in person at the Department of Transport, an official asks him to return “as is” for Easter, this would certainly result in a lawsuit that would cost the county very dearly, apart from the resulting media coverage dismissal of the incumbent and zero possibility of re-election of the mayor.

Not here. In the world of absurdity, we measure mayors by the bright lights of Urraca Park on Christmas Daynot taking into account that it is a transaction that we all pay for with our utility taxes, instead of a demand for efficient utility services, without bribes, intermediaries and delays. Panama is not Miami. It could be. The unreasonable silence of the world, also highlighted Camus, results in the genesis of the absurd.