The power of my vote

I am a ‘nobody’ with a vote. I am a nobody, possibly representative of the many who are angry about the political situation in Malta and who are determined that this must change.

The vote cast is for the country’s future that will be determined by the representatives elected for the next five years.

We will be electing the members of the House of Representatives. These members should be representative of our values, hopes and dreams.

Elections are the power of the voter, not of the politician standing for election.

I have the power of a vote at the forthcoming general election and I do not intend to be cheaply won over by handouts and unrealisable promises. I am not a mercenary!

Candidates must earn the voters’ trust and not buy votes by the senseless and irresponsible auctioning of promises. The duty of the parties standing for election is to educate the electorate to choose their representatives with intelligence and wisdom.

My hope is for a House of Representatives where the argument is stronger than the language used.

In 57 years of independence, we do not seem to have motivated enough people to lead or serve in politics if not for their ego and personal gain.

Our educational system has failed to create a society of critical thinkers that can consider the opportunity created by more parties being represented in parliament.

At the general election we have a choice.

I will not vote for continued corruption and impunity.

I will not vote for those candidates who did not stand up for the principles of truth and justice.

I will not vote for those candidates who have served in parliament and who did not trust me with the truth; who preferred to give excuses rather than reasons; who did not assume political responsibility for their actions; who tried to silence civil society.

I will not vote for more of the same.

I look forward that the next legislature will foster a society led by reason and not by emotions; a society that is not dependant on politicians; a society that does not need a godfather to succeed; a society where values are not measured in monetary benefit; a society where the standard of living is measured in terms of compassion, solidarity and community well-being.

I hope for a government that will allow public officials to work independently of political pressure, priding themselves in their work, being an honour to their post and to the country and loyal to their oath.

Malta deserves a House of Representatives which guarantees respect for life and dignity of the person.

I will vote for candidates who uphold a society with strong moral values where diversity is accepted in its totality and with respect.

I will vote for candidates who are in politics for the common societal welfare and not for ‘what is in it for me’.

I will vote not only for a change of the actors but also for the change of the scene.

I am a ‘nobody’. I will exercise my duty to vote at the general election and I commit to be a catalyst to hold politicians to account.

Mario Grech – San Ġwann

Freedom of conscience

During the current electoral campaign, we are being fed with a lot of promises which, to be quite honest, to me personally, are of secondary importance.

Something which should be of primary importance concerns the freedom of conscience which, as far as I am aware, is one of the fundamental human rights in a country that embraces democracy. None of the parties has vouched that they will not enact an equality law that would deprive the people, particularly professionals and other service providers, from the right to conscientious objection.

I illustrate my contention with an example. Women are being promised the free supply of the morning-after pill. What would be the position of a pharmacist who objects to supply these pills on account of conscientious objection and s/he provides the Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) service? Would s/he be allowed to continue to provide this service, obviously minus this pill, or what?

John Anthony Zammit – San Ġwann

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