I keep thinking of how my life could have been so much better if my family had emigrated.

Although I think it is relatively safe for children (this is coming from a person who spent her childhood in California, with news of abducted children broadcast on TV on a regular basis), I’d like mine to leave the island when they’re old enough.

Don’t get me on with blood diamonds – I’ve decided that if I wanted a diamond, I’d go fossicking for it myself in some mine in a conflict-free zone.

You’ll shake your head in disgust with this question: in what way has Malta failed the younger generations?

No one ever suggested that our democracy is remotely comparable to the American one. Luckily for the world and the US, the American democracy is stronger and has a system of checks and balances designed precisely to defend democracy and protect American citizens from rogue presidents like Trump. And unlike the Maltese, most Americans value their rights and freedoms. In fact a large majority of them voted against Trump.

Even so , it is finding it difficult to resist the authoritarian onslaught by Trump and his close confidants. So far Trump has already managed to ignore, break or go round these rules, checks and balances.

Of course, our government has found it ridiculously easy to stage a coup from the top, replacing the top civil servants within a few hours of assuming office, taking over the police corps and armed forces, infiltrating the judiciary with its stooges and bringing all independent authorities to heel.

Those persons in positions of authority who were not replaced, fell over themselves to publicly lick Muscat`s arse and do his bidding. Trump will not have such an easy ride, but no one can say he`s not doing his utmost to succeed.

Baxxter has failed to list the differences between Muscat and Trump. But I can list several similarities. They have both attacked the free press and the journalists who do not toe their line. They have both embarked on push-back policies to curry favour with their racist supporters.

They have both indulged in blatant nepotism. Both their administrations have tried to interfere with investigations into the wrongdoings of their clique. Both have cosied up to foreign dictators. Both administrations have consciously blurred the line between public duty and personal interests.

You have to be wilfully blind to ignore these similarities. I have been comparing Trump and Muscat since Trump burst onto the political scene.

I have gone further and compared both to Brexit. I’m unable to concentrate on one and ignore the others. Muscat has ruined my country, Brexit risks breaking up my Europe and Trump is putting world peace and security at risk.

All three are a threat to my security, prosperity and liberty. Opposing and denouncing all three is not only a matter of principle. It is personal.

Frankly now, what is Malta’s purpose in the world? Because I think we’ve reached the end of a fifty-year journey here.

The 1970s children are the last generation for whom Malta provides a tolerably good life. It has failed the younger generations.