Editor,

Why is Tonga still a poor Third World country if it has the "perfect" economy, Mr. Fale?

Economist Mr. Daniel K. Fale's rationalization (Tonga's land law . . . 05 Nov 2009) is a typical Tongan male excuse in denying women their "God-given rights" to own land in Tonga.

He further confused himself trying to rationalize what "scarce commodity" means in a controlled economy. There are no scarce commodities in a controlled economy because, according to Mr. Fale, "everyone gets a little inheritance." That's the "opportunity cost" of being a happy country.

Scarce commodity in a capitalist economy encourages competition. Everything of value is a "scarce commodity." Can Mr. Fale name one valuable commodity that is not scarce?

Women's "God-given rights"

Women want equality, they want their "God-given rights" to own land equal to men. They want to be productive citizens as God wants them to be, equal to men. In modern Tonga, democratic ideals recognized the rights of all citizens to create wealth for themselves and their children.

Government cannot give, nor can it take away women's rights because it was given by God. By default, Government had forced women to depend on men related to the "kainga" relations in our customs.

But modern Tonga requires business activities to create wealth. Democratic principles drive capitalist economies by way of free and independent enterprises, free competition, and opportunities for all.

Tonga is not a theocracy

Mr. Fale claims, "Tonga is the only country in the world, that practices the concept taught by Jesus Christ in the bible . . . "

Fact: Tonga is not a theocracy. We live Christian principles, but we do not practice "eye for an eye" Christian law. If Mr. Fale can guarantee Tongan men will always follow the teachings of the Savior, I have a gold mine to sell him.

Women have no guarantee that Tongan men will always follow Jesus Christ teachings. They want their rights recognized in the law of the land, to protect them and their children.

Show me the money!

Since Mr. Fale thinks he's the only one with a "brain" to understand economics, he wants to control the Tongan economy by excluding women.

Modern Tongan economy must be based on democratic principles. All citizens are given their rights to participate in a free-market economy, and create their own wealth.

It requires money to live in modern Tonga. Show me the money, Mr. Fale in your subsistence economy.

Sione A. Mokofisi