Catalonia: Madrid, We Have A Problem

      Mr. Rajoy of Spain has called aces on the regional government of Catalonia.  After the regional parliament declared for independence, Mr. Rajoy invoked Article 155 of the Constitution and dissolved the regional government, putting Madrid in charge of  the economy, legislation, and police.
Mr. Puigdemont has not been detained but his powers have been stripped.  He no longer represents any part of the regional government.  So, the separatists have their results: a confrontation with the federal government.  The long-simmering separatist movement will now deal with the new situation.  After holding an illegal referendum on separatism that passed according to the local counters, the parliament went along, at their peril.   What were they thinking in face of the fact that only 40% of voters turned out to vote in the referendum?  Did they think that would not matter?  Did they think that secession was on the table?  Did they think that the EU would support any secession?  Do those few Catalonians think that the federal taxes paid to Madrid don't come back in sufficient amounts?  This profound ignorance of a political system is not found in isolation.  Most taxpayers would like to pay less.  Most taxpayers know that there is waste in government, all governments everywhere, some more than others.  Unfortunately, in Catalonia, the various factions of sympathizers for independence, represent a minority of citizens in the province.  As had has in the past, a vocal minority causes immeasurable grief for the majority of citizens.  Hence, we have a centralized, constitutional government that speaks for all of Spain and all Spaniards.  Perhapsmore discussions will lead to pacification of the minority separatists, but that will happen if they give up their "tribal" instincts which serve the few and not the many.
      As the economy of Spain emerges from the recession of 2008-9,  prosperity can be coming just around the corner.  With unemployment still in double figures, the country is still laboring under difficult circumstances, with young workers still under employed.
Mr. Rajoy: good luck-you'll need it.