After a long period of dumb denial of the global economic crisis, the Croatian government started panicking. And in earnest. The switch from oblivion to terror, which came a few months ago, was nearly instantaneous, too. Even if one is in no way connected to this country except through the ownership of one’s house, like I am, one can still feel the pinch. The bills for all sorts of services provided by government-owned companies are jumping without a word of explanation. The bills for electricity and water, which I found in this morning’s mail, surprised me in spite of everything I understand about this country. Are the increases due to increasing costs of provision of these services? Not at all. The companies in question are hoping to collect some fat for the lean months ahead. As one can learn from the local newspapers, those in top management positions in government-owned companies are increasing their salaries at a clip. They can never tell how long the government will keep them in their cushy posts, which they got through family and other connections. But, wait! Am I writing about Croatia again? Silly old git!