Joseph Bonnici from Rhode Island, US bemoans his destiny and asks why he is not entitled to vote in Maltese elections (December 28).
It is very difficult to follow his argument because one cannot understand how emigrants who obtains foreign citizenship can claim any right to vote in Malta. Is it fair for Dr Bonnici and others like him to participate by their vote in the decision making when they no longer reside in Malta? Is it right for persons who do not pay any taxes here to have the right to vote? Has he ever heard of the maxims that there is no representation without taxation?
He also castigated our politicians because many Maltese left our shores to find fortune in other countries. The correspondent should know that the emigration of Maltese to foreign countries was the result of Britain's defence rundown which caused massive unemployment. In the 1960s Malta's economy depended entirely on defence spending and so the only solution to alleviate the position of many was emigration to other countries which today they do not regret.
Even other countries opted for similar solutions when faced with a similar situation. Dr Bonnici can easily verify this as thousands of Italians, Irish, Germans and many other nationalities chose the US as their abode. At present thousands from Eastern Europe are fleeing to neighbouring western countries in search of a better life.
Maltese politicians, contrary to what the correspondent wrote, merit our praise and trust. In spite of their many faults our politicians in a relatively short time have succeeded in changing Malta's economy from one depending on defence spending to a social market economy. They succeeded in raising our standard of living to one that attracts the admiration of foreigners who visit our island including Maltese emigrants. Dr Bonnici is free to come over and see for himself the leap forward that the Maltese had made in the last 50 years. He is even free to come and settle here and so be able to vote.
The Nationalist government had done a lot for our emigrants. Just to mention one very important item: It gave our emigrants and their offspring the right to obtain dual citizenship which means they can return and settle here without any hindrance. Before that Maltese emigrants were regarded are foreigners once they left our shores.
Instead of telling our politicians to leave the emigrants alone I appeal to Dr Bonnici to leave Malta alone and stop writing frivolous letters which do no good to him and other fellow emigrants.