1. Former colonies of the British Empire

Today, Americans are celebrating their independence from the tyrant King George.

While the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776, to establish the United States of America, Malta earned its independence almost two centuries later, in 1964.

In global terms, this means that each nation – as they respectively exist today – is very young.

Malta is younger, though. Get your shit together, America.

(And also, get your shit together, Malta)

2. Intense polarisation in a bipartisan system

Politically, Malta and America have both been stuck in political deadlocks which are both results and causes of extreme polarisation.

Seemingly willing political gridlock, and a lack of faith in the ability of either party to make actual substantial change seem to be ensuring that nothing will.

The problem in both “democratic” countries is one which is not unique to either – though some may argue it was pioneered by the US. Both major parties, in both nations (and many more) are playing the same profit-oriented game.

The pursuit of profit over all other considerations has weakened democratic processes and allowed a wealthy class of individuals to live by a separate set of rules to everybody else. Must be nice.

3. Petroleum Addiction

We’re obsessed, even though cars are killing us. Cars are a way of life here, they’re equated with “freedom” far more often than they are with “traffic” – despite the fact that driving one is more likely to get you stuck in the latter.

There are around 420,0000 road vehicles in Malta, for a population of 520,000 people. In the US, a population of 331 million has got 278 million registered vehicles.

The US (#1) has Malta beat in this category too, but only just. While the Maltese population has roughly 0.8 motor vehicles per person, the US has roughly 0.83.

4. Guns

Despite our rather small population of around half a million people, the Maltese archipelago houses around 130,000 firearms.

That equates to around one gun for every four people – though it should be mentioned that these firearms are largely concentrated under the possession of fairly few individuals.

The situation in America is much more severe. A population of 331 million people has got more than 400 million firearms in circulation.

Essentially, it would be unwise of Malta to try go to war with the US, no matter how much we may want to.

5. Abortion rights are extremely limited

Though many parts of the US do not impose horrifying restrictions preventing people from accessing abortion, many other parts do.

Malta is much more like the parts that do, than the parts that do not.

A recent, highly anticipated update to Malta’s law allows people in need of an abortion – because complications to their pregnancy have brought them to death’s door – to access one.

And the best part is, it only takes approval from three doctors beforehand!

An American woman who came to Malta last year had a terrible experience when she was denied the essential care she needed. This triggered international uproar, which lead to local protesting, discussion and debate.

And then barely anything changed, because both major parties essentially agree that it shouldn’t. See point 2. for context.

6. Economies relying heavily on immigrant labour and people of colour

And both countries treat immigrants terribly!

Third Country Nationals in Malta are routinely exposed to conditions that Maltese people, and wealthy Europeans have to experience or endure.

It does not take much than a few bus journeys, or visits to construction sites, to bear witness to Malta’s informal racial segregation.

The US has only been a “democracy” – allowing all of its citizens to vote – for around as much time as Malta has existed as an independent state.

African Americans, especially but not uniquely, were excluded from voting – along with participating in many parts of America life.

Except, of course, for work, which was forced upon many, and which laid the foundation of America’s wealth.

Can we think of anywhere else asks people to work and pay into a system, only to give them nothing in return?

7. Obesity

28.7% of the Maltese population is considered medically obese, which is a European high. (#1)

This can largely be attributed to high consumption rates of imported and processed foods and the higher cost of making “healthy” eating choices.

Malnutrition rates are often indicators of rampant poverty, and a lack of proper guidance and resource allocation.

Our reliance on cars, and the rubble-strewn proto-paths we call pavements, a pathetic excuse for pedestrian infrastructure, not to mention our “bike-lanes” – almost certainly do not help.

Malta’s rate of obesity is not quite as high as America’s – 39.6%.

Happy 4th of July to the world’s crumbling imperial power!