T. Bugeja (TMID, 29 December) is one of the locals who continuously paint a gloomy picture of the Maltese financial position. They prefer to be led by party political propaganda than abide by hard facts. They seem to be living in another country.

Yes, we all admit that Malta, along with other countries, is feeling the pinch of globalisation and the rise of fuel prices.

But in spite all this, the Maltese people had enough disposal income to donate thousands of Maltese liri to charitable institutions and political parties.

Adding to other fund-raising activities during the year, it is estimated that the total amounts to about Lm3 million.

Besides making their contributions in support of worthy causes, the Maltese have not managed badly during the year.

If one bothers to look at the statistical figures, one would find that the Maltese had enough money to spare to go on holidays abroad, to provide their families with all the amenities, including internet and mobile phones, to purchase new cars, to spend thousands of liri in lotteries and to entertain

themselves.

They even had enough money to grasp the issues of new shares in a couple of hours – far from the times when we were deprived of tasting a chocolate bar.

By any standard, hard facts reveal that the Maltese are not so poor and so miserable some people would like us to think.

The prophets of doom who try to ram this through the minds of the Maltese people, should find another credible agenda.

Carmel Camilleri

Paola