tisdag 4 oktober 2011
Substancial patience: War or no war - that is the question
Substancial patience: War or no war - that is the quesiton: Dear friends: I am totally confused about the happenings in the middle-east, especially Syria. My former angryness about family-members and ...
War or no war - that is the quesiton
Dear friends: I am totally confused about the happenings in the middle-east, especially Syria. My former angryness about family-members and friends travelling to Syria changed into total perplexity in my head, my brain, my inner common sense... Media tells us a story about Syria, a country on the edge of civilwar. The once coming back from holidays in Syria and even the once living there and who come here to Sweden to visit family and friends tell us that everything is calm, that there are a couple of clashes between police and a couple of demonstrators but that the majority of people just want peace to come back.
So now, there we have media's war-scenes on one side and residents and visitors tellings on the other. Who shall we believe, which story shows us the real happenings, what does the Syrian people actually want to happen?
If you read the paper's stories about the opposition's group, about the people behind the scenes, who now are busy lobbying throughout the world for support, you will see arabic names, assyrian names all with different background with one thing in common: they are actually not living in Syria... So why trust in people that have emigrated from their country, sometimes many years ago, and who now see their chance to get a cut out of the political power that will be distributed if Al Assad decides to leave. Why trust in people who most probably will look for their very own benefit at first? Why trust in people living outside their own country and who now want to be engaged? I understand that some of opposition outside the country had political reasons for their emigration but who will be able to decide which one has the very good of the country in mind and which do not?
A revolution, the fight for democratic freedom, should come from the people and not from outsiders. Otherwise there will be an imminent risk that the revolution will end in chaos and civil war as most of the people do not understand the need and urge for democracy. On this point I want to repeat one thing that I wrote once a couple of months ago: democracy has to be taught, understood and wanted to be genuin. Otherwise the question is and willl be: who is the big winner?
So now, there we have media's war-scenes on one side and residents and visitors tellings on the other. Who shall we believe, which story shows us the real happenings, what does the Syrian people actually want to happen?
If you read the paper's stories about the opposition's group, about the people behind the scenes, who now are busy lobbying throughout the world for support, you will see arabic names, assyrian names all with different background with one thing in common: they are actually not living in Syria... So why trust in people that have emigrated from their country, sometimes many years ago, and who now see their chance to get a cut out of the political power that will be distributed if Al Assad decides to leave. Why trust in people who most probably will look for their very own benefit at first? Why trust in people living outside their own country and who now want to be engaged? I understand that some of opposition outside the country had political reasons for their emigration but who will be able to decide which one has the very good of the country in mind and which do not?
A revolution, the fight for democratic freedom, should come from the people and not from outsiders. Otherwise there will be an imminent risk that the revolution will end in chaos and civil war as most of the people do not understand the need and urge for democracy. On this point I want to repeat one thing that I wrote once a couple of months ago: democracy has to be taught, understood and wanted to be genuin. Otherwise the question is and willl be: who is the big winner?
tisdag 20 september 2011
Greece - or why a country may not become bankrupt
The troj, ECB, EU and IMF, have set their standards: Greece will not receive any more money until they are convincened of Greece's budgetplans and stimulation package in action. That will bring Greece even a little closer to state-bankruptcy and who knows, maybe this is the way to go...
I have followed Greece's financial development throughout a couple of years thanks to my sister who actually is living there. Budget tightening hits the people of Greece and espescially the once who already are suffering. The richest in Greece have successfully avoided paying taxes and the country is now suffering from interest payments for both old and, even worth, new loans. Loans that financed a huge administrative sector and a non-existing industry. Where did the money go? Well, I wrote once a couple of months ago about the construction of the greek highway. It took the country more than 30 years to build it, during which the government got paid through road taxes, and still: a loan was needed to finish construction.... where did the money go? No one knows.
Now, the government is creeping on its bare knees, the heavy weight of internationally financed loans on its shoulders. So, why not apply for bankruptcy? Why not letting it all go and try to restart economics? A country can not, by definition, become bankcrupt. Yes, it would initially lead to higher interest rates, currency depreciation and become more difficult to sign on new loans. But out of most depressions, comes something good. A bankruptcy would acutally make international lenders cut loans, implying lower interest payments. This could actually give Greece the possibility to catch some breath and to start all over again. So why not?
I think, one has to look at who will loose most if a bankruptcy would occur, to be able to find an explanation. The once who loose most if greek loans are cut, are banks throughout the world, espescially in other EU-countries i.e. Germany and France. German economic gains today more thanks to interest payments made by Greece, than it loses. A deflation of greek loans would cause the need of big depreciation in those bank's receivable ledgers, prompting an even bigger economical disaster throughout Europe. Please do not forget that european banks already are on the step of bankruptcy themselves and that it took the whole force of big governments as Germany to secure the survival of some of the world's oldest banks, such as Deutsche Bank. So what could happen then?
Well, nightmare scenario is the bankruptcy of a country, lead by financial and economical earthquake shaking both Greece, EU and even the world's market in a situation when stability is needed to outride the effects of the latest depression. Upsides? Of course, in a bright pink world, greek loans would be cut, followed by lower interest payments and a more stable economical situation in Greece and even the EU, as financial markets could focus on transactions instead of worrying about the question of one country's survival. One thing is for sure: reality will catch up with both Greece and EU and when bankruptcy no longer can be avoided, we will find new ways to go and the thought behind the european market will be tested for real. Will the European Union survive? It is all written in the stars.... both on the flag and in the sky.
I have followed Greece's financial development throughout a couple of years thanks to my sister who actually is living there. Budget tightening hits the people of Greece and espescially the once who already are suffering. The richest in Greece have successfully avoided paying taxes and the country is now suffering from interest payments for both old and, even worth, new loans. Loans that financed a huge administrative sector and a non-existing industry. Where did the money go? Well, I wrote once a couple of months ago about the construction of the greek highway. It took the country more than 30 years to build it, during which the government got paid through road taxes, and still: a loan was needed to finish construction.... where did the money go? No one knows.
Now, the government is creeping on its bare knees, the heavy weight of internationally financed loans on its shoulders. So, why not apply for bankruptcy? Why not letting it all go and try to restart economics? A country can not, by definition, become bankcrupt. Yes, it would initially lead to higher interest rates, currency depreciation and become more difficult to sign on new loans. But out of most depressions, comes something good. A bankruptcy would acutally make international lenders cut loans, implying lower interest payments. This could actually give Greece the possibility to catch some breath and to start all over again. So why not?
I think, one has to look at who will loose most if a bankruptcy would occur, to be able to find an explanation. The once who loose most if greek loans are cut, are banks throughout the world, espescially in other EU-countries i.e. Germany and France. German economic gains today more thanks to interest payments made by Greece, than it loses. A deflation of greek loans would cause the need of big depreciation in those bank's receivable ledgers, prompting an even bigger economical disaster throughout Europe. Please do not forget that european banks already are on the step of bankruptcy themselves and that it took the whole force of big governments as Germany to secure the survival of some of the world's oldest banks, such as Deutsche Bank. So what could happen then?
Well, nightmare scenario is the bankruptcy of a country, lead by financial and economical earthquake shaking both Greece, EU and even the world's market in a situation when stability is needed to outride the effects of the latest depression. Upsides? Of course, in a bright pink world, greek loans would be cut, followed by lower interest payments and a more stable economical situation in Greece and even the EU, as financial markets could focus on transactions instead of worrying about the question of one country's survival. One thing is for sure: reality will catch up with both Greece and EU and when bankruptcy no longer can be avoided, we will find new ways to go and the thought behind the european market will be tested for real. Will the European Union survive? It is all written in the stars.... both on the flag and in the sky.
torsdag 15 september 2011
Eu - or not EU, that's the question
In my line of work I have the pleasure of helping people from all over Europe to establish companies, to manage international employment contracts and to solve tax-related problems here in Sweden. The biggest hurdle in all of the connections with authorities has been trying to open up a bank account.
"No way!" you might say. In Sweden, one of 27 EU-countries, it should not be any problem to open up an ordinary bank-account for someone from Germany. And I do talk about an ordinary bank account, no credits just an account to put a German man's salary, a German man with Swedish staying permit.
The European union, a political and economical partnership, designed to support free moving of people, goods, services and capital, should stand for the support of European Union citizens trying to make a living for themselves in another European Union country. Free moving, yes, but how can this be possible if someone does not even have the possibility to open up an account? A person without any trouble to identify himself, who has a steady salary and pays taxes here in Sweden. Sweden is trying to adapt with so many questions on internationalisation, trying hard to find a place in the big world, to become a trustworthy, serious country to rely on.
At the same time management and administration goes one step back all of the time instead of going a step forward. Instead of making life easier for the once who really want to participate in Swedish society and economics, life is been made impossible to live here. Yes, of course, tax authorities are happy to gain some more taxes, but for your informaiton, it is not possible to pay any taxes if you do not have any account here. So, now he is paying his taxes from a German account, with a lot of fees and all the problems accuring from currency variation. ....strange?.... not in Sweden!
"No way!" you might say. In Sweden, one of 27 EU-countries, it should not be any problem to open up an ordinary bank-account for someone from Germany. And I do talk about an ordinary bank account, no credits just an account to put a German man's salary, a German man with Swedish staying permit.
The European union, a political and economical partnership, designed to support free moving of people, goods, services and capital, should stand for the support of European Union citizens trying to make a living for themselves in another European Union country. Free moving, yes, but how can this be possible if someone does not even have the possibility to open up an account? A person without any trouble to identify himself, who has a steady salary and pays taxes here in Sweden. Sweden is trying to adapt with so many questions on internationalisation, trying hard to find a place in the big world, to become a trustworthy, serious country to rely on.
At the same time management and administration goes one step back all of the time instead of going a step forward. Instead of making life easier for the once who really want to participate in Swedish society and economics, life is been made impossible to live here. Yes, of course, tax authorities are happy to gain some more taxes, but for your informaiton, it is not possible to pay any taxes if you do not have any account here. So, now he is paying his taxes from a German account, with a lot of fees and all the problems accuring from currency variation. ....strange?.... not in Sweden!
måndag 29 augusti 2011
Welcome back....
Oh, so much time since my latest article... summer was long, beautiful, busy and overwhelmed of news. Terrorists in Norway, war in Lybia, atomic disasters in Japan, another crash on wallstreet..... the list is endless. It feels almost as if so much is happening that my mind is shutting down, unable to process the information that is spread by news, papers and the internet all the time. A thing that is obvious for me, is the fact that the USA most often somehow is involved in those happenings. Of course, I do not want to say that USA is responsible for everything, but still, in a time where the american government should be very much concerned about their own well-being, they still are throwing money on foreign wars, instead of actions of humanity....
Previously one could often see the start of a war or an international crisis whenever the american politicians needed to change focus away from their own problems. Now, due to the very bad financial situation of the american economic, the start of another war, or even a military interference is not possible. At a time like this: is it not very lucky that a storm is passing by right when it is so badly needed? And is not the storm very kind to pass by Wallstreet on a weekend, so the financial markets are not disturbed? The fact that the hurrican changed forces to become a simple rainy weekend was not predictable... so they say.... Fact is that the news about a hurrican in New York made people change focus and Wallstreet stopped falling without any boundaries...
Well, as usual, this is just my humble opinion. Just a slight guess on how to make media follow a government's interest.
Back to all the happenings: people are starting talking about Nostradamus. 2012, the year that the World ends. The bourne optimist in me says that I do not believe in these kind of theories. but I still can see that we are looking forward to a lot of changes. Maybe it is just the end of the world as we know it..?!
Previously one could often see the start of a war or an international crisis whenever the american politicians needed to change focus away from their own problems. Now, due to the very bad financial situation of the american economic, the start of another war, or even a military interference is not possible. At a time like this: is it not very lucky that a storm is passing by right when it is so badly needed? And is not the storm very kind to pass by Wallstreet on a weekend, so the financial markets are not disturbed? The fact that the hurrican changed forces to become a simple rainy weekend was not predictable... so they say.... Fact is that the news about a hurrican in New York made people change focus and Wallstreet stopped falling without any boundaries...
Well, as usual, this is just my humble opinion. Just a slight guess on how to make media follow a government's interest.
Back to all the happenings: people are starting talking about Nostradamus. 2012, the year that the World ends. The bourne optimist in me says that I do not believe in these kind of theories. but I still can see that we are looking forward to a lot of changes. Maybe it is just the end of the world as we know it..?!
måndag 11 juli 2011
Substancial patience: Pure stupidity?
Substancial patience: Pure stupidity?: "Syria: right now a country on the edge of chaos, rules do not apply anymore, secutrity-service works on its own behalv and people are angry,..."
Pure stupidity?
Syria: right now a country on the edge of chaos, rules do not apply anymore, secutrity-service works on its own behalv and people are angry, both the once with and the once against the president. EVery week several people are hurting and dying due to the protest going on. Every friday becomes a fearful awakening of violence and anger. Syria's people are upset: they protest, they want change, they do not want any change, they are scared of what to come if the sitting president is dismissed. People are fleeing to save their lifes, to save their families. Both at the Turkish and the Lebanese border, refugees are waiting to pass the borders, leaving all they have, all they ever owned behind themselfes.
And in the middle of all of this chaos I hear all around me people waiting to travel to Syria for vacation... Sorry, but I do not understand this kind of insanity, this total lack of compassion and sensitivity towards the happenings in Syria. Not only that they travel by themselves, NO, they travel with their families and children, putting them to risk. They do not think about that things could change quickly, that the borders could be closed, that plans stop flying or the shootings get worse. NO, they think about sunbathing and shopping and entertainment... The Swedish Krona is very strong now, so, of course, this is something you have to take advantage of. Well, good luck. I feel disgusted about the absence of insight, about the naivety and the wish to show off with western money in front of others that actually suffer. And no, I am not talking about tourists, those stopped travelling to Syria a couple of months ago, I am talking about people with good insight into the situation there, who ignore the risks and look forward to a cheap vacation at their families' residences.
I do not understand and I do not want to understand. Hopefully no one gets hurt.
And in case something happens: they will never admit their fault. They will take all help they can get from their home countries to be able to get out... and we will sit here and be afraid of their well-being.
And in the middle of all of this chaos I hear all around me people waiting to travel to Syria for vacation... Sorry, but I do not understand this kind of insanity, this total lack of compassion and sensitivity towards the happenings in Syria. Not only that they travel by themselves, NO, they travel with their families and children, putting them to risk. They do not think about that things could change quickly, that the borders could be closed, that plans stop flying or the shootings get worse. NO, they think about sunbathing and shopping and entertainment... The Swedish Krona is very strong now, so, of course, this is something you have to take advantage of. Well, good luck. I feel disgusted about the absence of insight, about the naivety and the wish to show off with western money in front of others that actually suffer. And no, I am not talking about tourists, those stopped travelling to Syria a couple of months ago, I am talking about people with good insight into the situation there, who ignore the risks and look forward to a cheap vacation at their families' residences.
I do not understand and I do not want to understand. Hopefully no one gets hurt.
And in case something happens: they will never admit their fault. They will take all help they can get from their home countries to be able to get out... and we will sit here and be afraid of their well-being.
onsdag 29 juni 2011
2011-the fall of democracy?
Just back from one week of Legoland and one week without news, TV and internet, the slide back into reality is exhausting. I hoped to see some positiv development on some of the world's biggest issues: Greece for EU, Libya for UN and Syria for the middle-east, not to forget Fukushima for Asia. Well, sorry my friends, there is not even a glimpse of optimism in the air, instead situations have become worse or, even worse, all forgotten in media.
People in Greece are demonstrating and protesting about severe cuts in greek economics to rescue Greece and the EURO-cooperation. Many wonder about how a general strike can be of any assistance in Greece's difficult situation. Well, do not forget that the greek people are the once who have paid for quiete a long time. The problem is that the money has not served greek economy but the pocket of a few leaders. Let me give you an example. My sister married 26 years ago in Greece. At that time the greek govenmernt started up construction of the motorway between Thessaloniki (Greece's 2:nd biggest city) and Athens and they started to demand road taxes to finance this big projekt. The government claimed the taxes and.... nothing happened... not until Athens was appointed as host for the OS. The motorway was finished right before year 2004, 19 years after that taxes had been demanded from all travellers between those two cities. and the construction was mainly financed by loans. So: where did all of the money go? THIS is what makes the greek people angry and disappointed and now they will have to suffer for those who have earned a lot and built up personal wealth thanks to greek taxes. No wonder that the people demand a payback. Greece, the cradle of democracy, falls due to egoistic desires of earlier governments. Democracy? I do not hink so!
In Syria, a spokesperson for a human rights group got the possibility to have a talk with one of the inofficial leaders of the Syrian opposition. Very surprisingly this opponent started to defend the Syrian government and the Syrian army as soon as questions about the latest happenings in Syria were asked: Syrian opposition at their way towards democracy? I dont think so! A couple of weeks ago I wrote that democracy needs time and education. I still think so and I do not believe that the Syrian people are fit for the cause. How can the people of a country believe that they will receive democracy if their own opposition follow the president's lead and defend military actions against their own people? Democracy? I do not think so!
The news regarding happenings in Libya are at the same time very spare in western media. There is now an order to arrest Ghaddafi, well, if they catch him, but the military engagement of the UN that was supposed to last a couple of days, is now into a couple of months and an end is still not in sight. At the same time USA started to retreat from Afghanistan and Obama promised to bring home 30 000 soldiers... well, maybe he will find a new task for them in Libya? Democracy? I do not think so!
Fukushima started to leak again. After so long time news are difficult to find and even if there are some short articles, most of the information is actually coming from Japanese Electricity company Tepco and Japanes nuclear authority Nisa. The same sources that immediatly and persistantly denied that the accident actually was a nuclear meltdown. Will we ever get to know how bad the situation actually is? How bad it hit the japanese people? Or will we have to wait a couple of years, when we see how the amount of cancer-diseases rais, how more and more newborns are malformed and sick and how more people die because of nuclear exposion? The handling of information in Japan is undermining all kind of democratic reporting. Democracy? I do not think so!
And last but not least, even here in Sweden, we can see democray going wrong when a right wing municipal leader in Swedish Laholm actually plans to take away the citizens' possibility to engage directly into political action through citizen proposition. He thinks that it is to complicated and does not lead to any fruitful ideas and suggestions. You should know that actually 1/4, this is 25% of all propositions actually lead to a resolution. Well, this politician does not believe that this is productive.... Democratic thinking? I do not htink so!
People in Greece are demonstrating and protesting about severe cuts in greek economics to rescue Greece and the EURO-cooperation. Many wonder about how a general strike can be of any assistance in Greece's difficult situation. Well, do not forget that the greek people are the once who have paid for quiete a long time. The problem is that the money has not served greek economy but the pocket of a few leaders. Let me give you an example. My sister married 26 years ago in Greece. At that time the greek govenmernt started up construction of the motorway between Thessaloniki (Greece's 2:nd biggest city) and Athens and they started to demand road taxes to finance this big projekt. The government claimed the taxes and.... nothing happened... not until Athens was appointed as host for the OS. The motorway was finished right before year 2004, 19 years after that taxes had been demanded from all travellers between those two cities. and the construction was mainly financed by loans. So: where did all of the money go? THIS is what makes the greek people angry and disappointed and now they will have to suffer for those who have earned a lot and built up personal wealth thanks to greek taxes. No wonder that the people demand a payback. Greece, the cradle of democracy, falls due to egoistic desires of earlier governments. Democracy? I do not hink so!
In Syria, a spokesperson for a human rights group got the possibility to have a talk with one of the inofficial leaders of the Syrian opposition. Very surprisingly this opponent started to defend the Syrian government and the Syrian army as soon as questions about the latest happenings in Syria were asked: Syrian opposition at their way towards democracy? I dont think so! A couple of weeks ago I wrote that democracy needs time and education. I still think so and I do not believe that the Syrian people are fit for the cause. How can the people of a country believe that they will receive democracy if their own opposition follow the president's lead and defend military actions against their own people? Democracy? I do not think so!
The news regarding happenings in Libya are at the same time very spare in western media. There is now an order to arrest Ghaddafi, well, if they catch him, but the military engagement of the UN that was supposed to last a couple of days, is now into a couple of months and an end is still not in sight. At the same time USA started to retreat from Afghanistan and Obama promised to bring home 30 000 soldiers... well, maybe he will find a new task for them in Libya? Democracy? I do not think so!
Fukushima started to leak again. After so long time news are difficult to find and even if there are some short articles, most of the information is actually coming from Japanese Electricity company Tepco and Japanes nuclear authority Nisa. The same sources that immediatly and persistantly denied that the accident actually was a nuclear meltdown. Will we ever get to know how bad the situation actually is? How bad it hit the japanese people? Or will we have to wait a couple of years, when we see how the amount of cancer-diseases rais, how more and more newborns are malformed and sick and how more people die because of nuclear exposion? The handling of information in Japan is undermining all kind of democratic reporting. Democracy? I do not think so!
And last but not least, even here in Sweden, we can see democray going wrong when a right wing municipal leader in Swedish Laholm actually plans to take away the citizens' possibility to engage directly into political action through citizen proposition. He thinks that it is to complicated and does not lead to any fruitful ideas and suggestions. You should know that actually 1/4, this is 25% of all propositions actually lead to a resolution. Well, this politician does not believe that this is productive.... Democratic thinking? I do not htink so!
fredag 10 juni 2011
Substancial patience: National pride
Substancial patience: National pride: "Today two of my kids had their last schoolday for this semester with 2 months of great summerholiday awaiting them. The school had a big cel..."
National pride
Today two of my kids had their last schoolday for this semester with 2 months of great summerholiday awaiting them. The school had a big celebration, as every year, with the children of different grades singing, a nice rector's speech and I do not think the eyes of any parent were dry when they saw their loved onces up on the stage. In the middle of this ceremony, right before the rector's speech, two nine-graders sang the Swedish national anthem, together with the background choir of all of the parents and the other children. THIS is an ordinary Swedish tradtion. This has been done forever and you can see how proud everyone, Swedish or not, is about the country we live in.
At the same time, in media, it is always discussed wether or not, it should be allowed to sing the Swedish national anthem during school ending ceremonies. The reasons listed include everything from xenophobia to equality. I really canot see this problem. I, myself, am an EU-immigrant to Sweden. My husband is an immgirant form outer-EU and my children are called 2:n generation immigrants. Still, I am very proud to call myself Swedish. I am thankful to live here in Sweden and I want that my children feel the same. With my German background I know what it means not to be able to love and cherrish and be proud of once one country. As German you are immediately called a Nazi if you say that you love Germany or that you are proud to be German. Growing up in Germany I missed this national identity, I felt European. But with the absence of national identity, one cannot demand engagement and loyality towards a country. So, I was not sorry to leave Germany, just sorry to miss my friends.
My point is: let the children sing the national anthem, let them feel the pride to live in Sweden, no matter their own nationality. Because: the national anthem should be enjoyable to any kind of nationality. Be proud to live in Sweden, to be able to enjoy the long summer days and to cuddle with candlelights during the long cold winter nights. Be proud to enjoy one of the world's best healthcare and schools, to be able to study at any age without having to pay for it, to be able to find work and if not, to have a social security net. Be proud to be able to give our children a future in peace and with a great feeling of freedom and equality. Because this is what Sweden stands for in my eyes. And for this: yes, I do too sing the Swedish national anthem on my children's last schoolday! ... and am proud of it!
At the same time, in media, it is always discussed wether or not, it should be allowed to sing the Swedish national anthem during school ending ceremonies. The reasons listed include everything from xenophobia to equality. I really canot see this problem. I, myself, am an EU-immigrant to Sweden. My husband is an immgirant form outer-EU and my children are called 2:n generation immigrants. Still, I am very proud to call myself Swedish. I am thankful to live here in Sweden and I want that my children feel the same. With my German background I know what it means not to be able to love and cherrish and be proud of once one country. As German you are immediately called a Nazi if you say that you love Germany or that you are proud to be German. Growing up in Germany I missed this national identity, I felt European. But with the absence of national identity, one cannot demand engagement and loyality towards a country. So, I was not sorry to leave Germany, just sorry to miss my friends.
My point is: let the children sing the national anthem, let them feel the pride to live in Sweden, no matter their own nationality. Because: the national anthem should be enjoyable to any kind of nationality. Be proud to live in Sweden, to be able to enjoy the long summer days and to cuddle with candlelights during the long cold winter nights. Be proud to enjoy one of the world's best healthcare and schools, to be able to study at any age without having to pay for it, to be able to find work and if not, to have a social security net. Be proud to be able to give our children a future in peace and with a great feeling of freedom and equality. Because this is what Sweden stands for in my eyes. And for this: yes, I do too sing the Swedish national anthem on my children's last schoolday! ... and am proud of it!
måndag 30 maj 2011
Substancial patience: locked up money
Substancial patience: locked up money: "Throughout the last months one could read about all of the money that belongs to several leaders in north africa and the middle-east and tha..."
locked up money
Throughout the last months one could read about all of the money that belongs to several leaders in north africa and the middle-east and that has been locked up by many banks all over the world. We are not talking about a couple of million dollars but billions of dollars that has been locked up on accounts in both EU, Swiss and American banks and which amounts now are rising thanks to interest upcoming from those sums. As the money is locked on ordinary personal accounts (and some company accounts) the banks, of course, have the liberty to use the money in their behalf. They can use it to make financial transactions and to give out loans to other customers i.e. private persons, companies and countries.
For a very long time I was wondering how the World bank has the possibility to lend mutli billion dollar loans to countries as such Greece, Ireland and Portugal. A very new theory growing in my head is that this money, that has been locked up for an unlimited time, is free to move within the banking sphere. I mean, at the end, it is always just figures in the banks' financial statements that limits their possibilities. Who will then be able to follow up where the money comes from? Who will be able to check if some of the money does not origin from locked up money from dictators, military regims and corresponding sources? Who will be able to rule out loans that will make European countries survive just because it is coming from countries that Europe right now tries to liberate?
This could be seen as another reason pushing west world countries to engage into military action. I suppose, and please correct me if I am wrong, that this wealth, coming from both Ghaddafi and Mubarrak and even several other African leaders, is a big help in European financial planning.
At the same time, world banks should be happy, to be able to work with this amount of money without fearing to be forced to pay off or to transfer it to any other financial institution. I understand that my hopes, to use the money to spread to the poor people in those countries, is not possible as it is defined as personal assets, but is it right that those banks are allowed to use it for their own benefit?
For a very long time I was wondering how the World bank has the possibility to lend mutli billion dollar loans to countries as such Greece, Ireland and Portugal. A very new theory growing in my head is that this money, that has been locked up for an unlimited time, is free to move within the banking sphere. I mean, at the end, it is always just figures in the banks' financial statements that limits their possibilities. Who will then be able to follow up where the money comes from? Who will be able to check if some of the money does not origin from locked up money from dictators, military regims and corresponding sources? Who will be able to rule out loans that will make European countries survive just because it is coming from countries that Europe right now tries to liberate?
This could be seen as another reason pushing west world countries to engage into military action. I suppose, and please correct me if I am wrong, that this wealth, coming from both Ghaddafi and Mubarrak and even several other African leaders, is a big help in European financial planning.
At the same time, world banks should be happy, to be able to work with this amount of money without fearing to be forced to pay off or to transfer it to any other financial institution. I understand that my hopes, to use the money to spread to the poor people in those countries, is not possible as it is defined as personal assets, but is it right that those banks are allowed to use it for their own benefit?
fredag 20 maj 2011
Substancial patience: Antisemistism - or not
Substancial patience: Antisemistism - or not: "It took me a while to understand and to swollow the words Obama Barack, president of the USA, uttered in his speech yesterday. Just one day ..."
Antisemistism - or not
It took me a while to understand and to swollow the words Obama Barack, president of the USA, uttered in his speech yesterday. Just one day before the meeting with Israelian prime-minister Netanyahu. He declares that he will support Egypt financially, that he supports 1967 borders for Israel and that he demands the negotiations in Syria.
Many tough words for leaders all over the middle-east. Surprisingly tough, and so are the reactions. Someone once said: who is not with me, is against me, and this could be the summary of multiple reactions all over the world. i scanned several bloggs and newspapers and came to the insight that there occur two different stands: positive, the once supporting Obama and angry once...
The thing that actually is disturbing me, touching my very need for democracy and liberty of speech, are the reaction saying that Obama in his speech shows that he is a muslim and a anti-semitist. PLEASE, is really everyone who makes a statement about Israel's territorial behaviour an anti-semitist? Anti-semitism is by definition hatred against jews. Is the demand for 1967 year's borders showing any hatred against jews? Or is it just a way to find acceptance for some peace between Palestine and Israel.
The once who have read some political and historical publications know that the territorial demands of Jews actually is called sionism. and in my believe sionism is today far away from its origin as possible. When sionistic movement started in the late 1900th century it was a demand for a jewish state where jews would be protected from repression and tyranny. It was said that the world would be free if jews became free ("Der Judenstaat" by Herzl). As I can see it, Isarel put itself into a corner by demanding new settlements and by fighting Palestine and the rest of the arab world. This way Israel will never become free and the sionistic movement will not succeed.
But: we still have the question: was Obama's speech anti-semitistic. Well, he actually did not say anything against jews or the jewish religion, so this statement is not applicable. Anti-sionistic then? No, I do not think so. By definition sionists are looking for freedom. Freedom should even include peace with its neighbour-countries and this will only be possible if all of the countries involved can step back and make some sacrifice.
Summarised one just can say: the people stating that Obama is against jews are just afraid to loose political power and US military forces. This is not a question of ideologi but a question of will and needs to make peace after so many years.
Many tough words for leaders all over the middle-east. Surprisingly tough, and so are the reactions. Someone once said: who is not with me, is against me, and this could be the summary of multiple reactions all over the world. i scanned several bloggs and newspapers and came to the insight that there occur two different stands: positive, the once supporting Obama and angry once...
The thing that actually is disturbing me, touching my very need for democracy and liberty of speech, are the reaction saying that Obama in his speech shows that he is a muslim and a anti-semitist. PLEASE, is really everyone who makes a statement about Israel's territorial behaviour an anti-semitist? Anti-semitism is by definition hatred against jews. Is the demand for 1967 year's borders showing any hatred against jews? Or is it just a way to find acceptance for some peace between Palestine and Israel.
The once who have read some political and historical publications know that the territorial demands of Jews actually is called sionism. and in my believe sionism is today far away from its origin as possible. When sionistic movement started in the late 1900th century it was a demand for a jewish state where jews would be protected from repression and tyranny. It was said that the world would be free if jews became free ("Der Judenstaat" by Herzl). As I can see it, Isarel put itself into a corner by demanding new settlements and by fighting Palestine and the rest of the arab world. This way Israel will never become free and the sionistic movement will not succeed.
But: we still have the question: was Obama's speech anti-semitistic. Well, he actually did not say anything against jews or the jewish religion, so this statement is not applicable. Anti-sionistic then? No, I do not think so. By definition sionists are looking for freedom. Freedom should even include peace with its neighbour-countries and this will only be possible if all of the countries involved can step back and make some sacrifice.
Summarised one just can say: the people stating that Obama is against jews are just afraid to loose political power and US military forces. This is not a question of ideologi but a question of will and needs to make peace after so many years.
söndag 15 maj 2011
Substancial patience: Movement towards democracy...or...
Substancial patience: Movement towards democracy...or...: "Still demonstrations in Syria are ongoing. The heat is growing, both in air and in politics and people are suffering. The wave of protestant..."
Movement towards democracy...or...
Still demonstrations in Syria are ongoing. The heat is growing, both in air and in politics and people are suffering. The wave of protestants that started in northern africa a couple of months ago seem to be never ending ín arabic-speeking countries. The big difference is the reaction of the rest of the world. In countries such as Egypt, military forces against the protestants was minor, people did not get hurt during the demonstrations. But please observe that now, that the country is lead by military forces, opposition is taken care of and is being imprisoned. The government watches videos from the spring demonstrations and takes care of the "problem". ... and the world is silent.
Then there is Libya. Libyan president Ghaddafi soon experienced the harch reaction of the world. Now, UN is discussing how the libyan civil war i effecting the world outside. First: I do not think that this is a civil war anymore as several countries now are engaged into this war and a civil war by definition can only be performed between people in their own country. So, we are talking about an ordinary war now as UN airforce has bombed targets in Libya and even killed one of Ghaddafi's sons and wounded him. The UN operation that from the beginning was supposed to help opponent rebels, now started its own life and has been introduced into a full-scale war. This is why I even understand Swedish Socialparty leader who says that the Swedish participation should end after the planned period. If Swedish airforce continues its UN operations, it will be difficult to avoid militant war actions. Then that is the question: does Sweden really want to be engaged into a multi-national war?
The latest of all conquests are the happenings in Syria. The militant actions of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad can easily be compared with Ghaddafis actions. Still, UN is waiting. Many writers, bloggers, newspapers are talking about UNs wish to support "the devil you know" instead of not knowing which devil that will follow... Thing is, what happens if Syrians regim cannot subpress demonstrations by oldfashioned scare-tactics and militant interactions? I cannot see that a democratic leadership will follow as long as the President does not imply democratic movement at first. ..before he quits.
The problem is that the president does not hold all the strains of leadership in his hands. There are several clans and families that have strong political power and who are scared to loose this power if the president resigns. Moreover, the only organized group that had a right to exist, is the islamic brotherhood, as Syrian regim did not approve other political parties. So, who is going to have the possibility to run for president in Syria if not the islamic brotherhood? This, in my eyes, forms the worst case scenario as I do not believe in a mixture of religion and politic power. This will not bring the country forward and it will absolutely not stand for the emancipation of women.
So, what is the solution, you might ask. I believe in education, see to it that the Syrian people and its government allows multi-party politics and later on free elections. This will give different groups perspective and the possibility to organize to be capable to partizipate in elections held by i.e. UN.
Then there is Libya. Libyan president Ghaddafi soon experienced the harch reaction of the world. Now, UN is discussing how the libyan civil war i effecting the world outside. First: I do not think that this is a civil war anymore as several countries now are engaged into this war and a civil war by definition can only be performed between people in their own country. So, we are talking about an ordinary war now as UN airforce has bombed targets in Libya and even killed one of Ghaddafi's sons and wounded him. The UN operation that from the beginning was supposed to help opponent rebels, now started its own life and has been introduced into a full-scale war. This is why I even understand Swedish Socialparty leader who says that the Swedish participation should end after the planned period. If Swedish airforce continues its UN operations, it will be difficult to avoid militant war actions. Then that is the question: does Sweden really want to be engaged into a multi-national war?
The latest of all conquests are the happenings in Syria. The militant actions of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad can easily be compared with Ghaddafis actions. Still, UN is waiting. Many writers, bloggers, newspapers are talking about UNs wish to support "the devil you know" instead of not knowing which devil that will follow... Thing is, what happens if Syrians regim cannot subpress demonstrations by oldfashioned scare-tactics and militant interactions? I cannot see that a democratic leadership will follow as long as the President does not imply democratic movement at first. ..before he quits.
The problem is that the president does not hold all the strains of leadership in his hands. There are several clans and families that have strong political power and who are scared to loose this power if the president resigns. Moreover, the only organized group that had a right to exist, is the islamic brotherhood, as Syrian regim did not approve other political parties. So, who is going to have the possibility to run for president in Syria if not the islamic brotherhood? This, in my eyes, forms the worst case scenario as I do not believe in a mixture of religion and politic power. This will not bring the country forward and it will absolutely not stand for the emancipation of women.
So, what is the solution, you might ask. I believe in education, see to it that the Syrian people and its government allows multi-party politics and later on free elections. This will give different groups perspective and the possibility to organize to be capable to partizipate in elections held by i.e. UN.
tisdag 3 maj 2011
Substancial patience: All about right timing
Substancial patience: All about right timing: "The world is asking itself a question right now: is he dead or isn't he? You know who I mean! Bin Ladin has kept the world and espescially t..."
All about right timing
The world is asking itself a question right now: is he dead or isn't he? You know who I mean! Bin Ladin has kept the world and espescially the USA imprisoned in a terrified state of mind. The fear for terrorist attacks has been hanging over governments all over the world and the picture of Bin Ladin visualized this fear. Now this fear has been conquered, the devil himself has been brought to an end. United States Navy Seals appeared as both judge, jury and executioner. The world could finally exhale....
Of course, I too believe that every murderer, and Bin Ladin is no exception, should be made accountable for his/ her actions. Of course, there is no doubt that governments all over the world should persecute terrorists and their followers. But: wasn't the timing just right?
I believe that anyone could have guessed that the killing of this very special terrorist leader will lead to brightly red varning lamps regarding new terrorists actions. I initially waited a day to see if my simple guess would be realized, that these news would push aside everything else. And now look what's happening: the newspapers explode of descriptions of terrorist attacks that Bin Ladin has been accused for, we see pictures of 9/11 and the horrible fall of the Twin towers in every news channel no matter if it is American, German, Swedish..... We can read news about possible terrorist attacks, all out of vengeance of course.
And people are scared again.
And scared people do not think about problems in their countries and even less abroad, they do not think about poverty, they do not think about wars in Libya and protests and demonstrations in Syria, Bahrain and Jordan, they do not think about radiation in Japan. Because: at first people want it to be save at home, people want to live their life in peace and without any threats. But now fear has come back again: and so people forget about everything else. They forget about all the problem politicians have, the declining popularity figures of a president who is in desperate need of a success. So what I wonder is: for how long did USA know about Bin Ladins whereabouts? And is it just a random coincidence that he was found right now, when western politicians stand upfront with so much trouble in so many countries and with few possible solutions. Economics, unemployment, war, protests, health insurance, pension plans, taxes, .... the list seems to be indefinite. But the dead of Bin Ladin stopped it all.
Of course, I too believe that every murderer, and Bin Ladin is no exception, should be made accountable for his/ her actions. Of course, there is no doubt that governments all over the world should persecute terrorists and their followers. But: wasn't the timing just right?
I believe that anyone could have guessed that the killing of this very special terrorist leader will lead to brightly red varning lamps regarding new terrorists actions. I initially waited a day to see if my simple guess would be realized, that these news would push aside everything else. And now look what's happening: the newspapers explode of descriptions of terrorist attacks that Bin Ladin has been accused for, we see pictures of 9/11 and the horrible fall of the Twin towers in every news channel no matter if it is American, German, Swedish..... We can read news about possible terrorist attacks, all out of vengeance of course.
And people are scared again.
And scared people do not think about problems in their countries and even less abroad, they do not think about poverty, they do not think about wars in Libya and protests and demonstrations in Syria, Bahrain and Jordan, they do not think about radiation in Japan. Because: at first people want it to be save at home, people want to live their life in peace and without any threats. But now fear has come back again: and so people forget about everything else. They forget about all the problem politicians have, the declining popularity figures of a president who is in desperate need of a success. So what I wonder is: for how long did USA know about Bin Ladins whereabouts? And is it just a random coincidence that he was found right now, when western politicians stand upfront with so much trouble in so many countries and with few possible solutions. Economics, unemployment, war, protests, health insurance, pension plans, taxes, .... the list seems to be indefinite. But the dead of Bin Ladin stopped it all.
onsdag 27 april 2011
Substancial patience: the government's promise: less administration for ...
Substancial patience: the government's promise: less administration for ...: "The year was 2010, election year in Sweden. Within the promises of actual government parties one could read about the parties promise for le..."
the government's promise: less administration for minor companies...or?
The year was 2010, election year in Sweden. Within the promises of actual government parties one could read about the parties promise for less administration for small businesses, all for the purpose of lower unemployment figures in Sweden. Because: the one who cannot find a job, can always start up an own company if not scared off by the high administration level due to declarations, taxes, accounts.
Please let me remind any reader in Sweden that we could see the same promise four years earlier in 2006 and in 2010 we still could not see any changes. But a promise that has not been fullfilled after elections four years earlier, can always be re-used!
The thing that I wonder about is if our government already has forgotten about their promise to minor companies less than six months later? Halv a year has gone since elections and within one week one could read about two government suggestions regarding small businesses:
1. a special declaration in which businesses have to report all employees on a monthly base, including all information such as namn, adress, socialsecurity number, etc. Until now all employers in Sweden have to report this information once a year.
2. today you can read about a suggestion regarding companies that declare vat once a year (meaning companies with earnings less than 1MSEK) in their ordinary tax -form. Suggestion is that those companies shall report vat in a separate declaration about 3 months earlier.... this means that small companies will have higher costs for their accounting as most of them choose to outsource their accounting because of complicated tax laws. Of course: two reposrt/ declarations will cost twice as much.
Both of the suggestions above would be gratefully embraced by me, as I run an accounting firm, but would implicate such a higher cost for the small companies. I would rather see that company leaders of minor businesses would put their money into financial and structural consultancy to improve their business than into more reports to the Tax-authorities. Thing is: better functioning businesses will create more jobs, more jobs will bring down unempolyment rates and with this improve national economics. More reports will not make that difference! Instead of putting even higher administrative costs for more reports on small enterprises, give them a special premium that gives them the opportunity to engage into more particular concultancy with accountants and auditors to improve business and results! Let small businesses be able to run their companies without growing administrative impacts on their lifes and give them opportunity to chose to put their hard earned money into consultancy instead of reports!
Please let me remind any reader in Sweden that we could see the same promise four years earlier in 2006 and in 2010 we still could not see any changes. But a promise that has not been fullfilled after elections four years earlier, can always be re-used!
The thing that I wonder about is if our government already has forgotten about their promise to minor companies less than six months later? Halv a year has gone since elections and within one week one could read about two government suggestions regarding small businesses:
1. a special declaration in which businesses have to report all employees on a monthly base, including all information such as namn, adress, socialsecurity number, etc. Until now all employers in Sweden have to report this information once a year.
2. today you can read about a suggestion regarding companies that declare vat once a year (meaning companies with earnings less than 1MSEK) in their ordinary tax -form. Suggestion is that those companies shall report vat in a separate declaration about 3 months earlier.... this means that small companies will have higher costs for their accounting as most of them choose to outsource their accounting because of complicated tax laws. Of course: two reposrt/ declarations will cost twice as much.
Both of the suggestions above would be gratefully embraced by me, as I run an accounting firm, but would implicate such a higher cost for the small companies. I would rather see that company leaders of minor businesses would put their money into financial and structural consultancy to improve their business than into more reports to the Tax-authorities. Thing is: better functioning businesses will create more jobs, more jobs will bring down unempolyment rates and with this improve national economics. More reports will not make that difference! Instead of putting even higher administrative costs for more reports on small enterprises, give them a special premium that gives them the opportunity to engage into more particular concultancy with accountants and auditors to improve business and results! Let small businesses be able to run their companies without growing administrative impacts on their lifes and give them opportunity to chose to put their hard earned money into consultancy instead of reports!
måndag 18 april 2011
Substancial patience: Syria - what next?
Substancial patience: Syria - what next?: "So, now it started boiling in Syria. Made-up demonstrations and excessive media surveillance on non-existing events have led to a massive ex..."
Syria - what next?
So, now it started boiling in Syria. Made-up demonstrations and excessive media surveillance on non-existing events have led to a massive explosion of shootings, from both opponent's and regim's side, demonstrations, even those from both sides and now even published, non-official interference from USA's side. The question that the states and all other western countries should ask themselfes is: what do they want to achieve by bringing down a country like Syria? What are they winning by destroying one of the last stable dictatorships of the middle-east?
So many people are talking about how all people need democracy NOW. That all people have the right to choose and elect their own leadership just like Europe, USA, Russia. They are comparing the middle-east with the fall of Sovjet, it's movement towards democracy. But, can you really compare the fall of the Egyptian government and dictatorship with the fall of the Berlin wall? Can you compare the staged demonstrations to the great monday demonstrations in Eastern Germany (GDR) in 1989? I do not believe you can.
There are two reasons why I do not believe in these comparisons:
At first the demonstrations back in the late 80s were a great public movement defying all government interaction. Thousands and even millions of people were demonstrating against the rulership of their government and the pressure of the russian supremacy. It was a movement started by the people for the people. And this is why it became so intense. This movement might be compared to Egypt, but the question that follows is: what then? What will happen afterwards?
In Germany, western Germany (BRD) took over and democracy followed. I will leave all economic problems that followed out of sight this time. In Egypt there is no history of democracy. The country was governed by a king or a colonial power. Borders were drawn with a ruler without any consideration of clans, ethnic groups, or similar. You can already see today what happens: as military is in charge right now, demonstrators that are identified from videos are imprisoned and tortured. Religion becomes more important and devides big parts of the people. A lot of people believe it will get better after elections in September, however I am not so sure. I believe that democracy has to be taught and learned until it is possible to introduce it to a country and its people. Hopefully Egypt will receive some help to educate its people, otherwise the risk for a civil war is impending.
The second is foreign countries' interest in middle-east countries' natural assets and military impact in the region. Why would countries like USA otherwise be interested in the well-being of Syria, Egypt or Lybia? Why would they take any possible opportunity to engage in an interior conflict? This is the second, but even bigger difference between the movement in the eastern parts of Europe then and the middle-east now.
This great interest of so many different parties in these countries' internal affairs will, at the end, lead to an earthshaking experience that will make everyone wish that it never happened. An unstable middle-east region will not only push up petrol prices, produce even more refugees, raise poverty, but could even lead to a war over boundaries. Syria, Lebanon, Irak, Iran, ..... and at the end.... Israel. I look with fear at the development of Syrian protests and hope that no one forgets what's at stake here. When USA supports opposing groups in Syria with money and arms, when UN drop bombs in Lybia and put arms in opponents hands, do they know what will follow? Do they know that there will be some control over the development in those countries or will they be left on their own? I hope all of this is worth its price!
So many people are talking about how all people need democracy NOW. That all people have the right to choose and elect their own leadership just like Europe, USA, Russia. They are comparing the middle-east with the fall of Sovjet, it's movement towards democracy. But, can you really compare the fall of the Egyptian government and dictatorship with the fall of the Berlin wall? Can you compare the staged demonstrations to the great monday demonstrations in Eastern Germany (GDR) in 1989? I do not believe you can.
There are two reasons why I do not believe in these comparisons:
At first the demonstrations back in the late 80s were a great public movement defying all government interaction. Thousands and even millions of people were demonstrating against the rulership of their government and the pressure of the russian supremacy. It was a movement started by the people for the people. And this is why it became so intense. This movement might be compared to Egypt, but the question that follows is: what then? What will happen afterwards?
In Germany, western Germany (BRD) took over and democracy followed. I will leave all economic problems that followed out of sight this time. In Egypt there is no history of democracy. The country was governed by a king or a colonial power. Borders were drawn with a ruler without any consideration of clans, ethnic groups, or similar. You can already see today what happens: as military is in charge right now, demonstrators that are identified from videos are imprisoned and tortured. Religion becomes more important and devides big parts of the people. A lot of people believe it will get better after elections in September, however I am not so sure. I believe that democracy has to be taught and learned until it is possible to introduce it to a country and its people. Hopefully Egypt will receive some help to educate its people, otherwise the risk for a civil war is impending.
The second is foreign countries' interest in middle-east countries' natural assets and military impact in the region. Why would countries like USA otherwise be interested in the well-being of Syria, Egypt or Lybia? Why would they take any possible opportunity to engage in an interior conflict? This is the second, but even bigger difference between the movement in the eastern parts of Europe then and the middle-east now.
This great interest of so many different parties in these countries' internal affairs will, at the end, lead to an earthshaking experience that will make everyone wish that it never happened. An unstable middle-east region will not only push up petrol prices, produce even more refugees, raise poverty, but could even lead to a war over boundaries. Syria, Lebanon, Irak, Iran, ..... and at the end.... Israel. I look with fear at the development of Syrian protests and hope that no one forgets what's at stake here. When USA supports opposing groups in Syria with money and arms, when UN drop bombs in Lybia and put arms in opponents hands, do they know what will follow? Do they know that there will be some control over the development in those countries or will they be left on their own? I hope all of this is worth its price!
torsdag 14 april 2011
Substancial patience: Swedish Taxation and drops in unmeployment
Substancial patience: Swedish Taxation and drops in unmeployment: "There is not a month going by without any news on Sweden's high income-tax level and its impact on unemployment rates. It seems as if politi..."
Swedish Taxation and drops in unmeployment
There is not a month going by without any news on Sweden's high income-tax level and its impact on unemployment rates. It seems as if politicians today cannot see beyond one main reason why unemployment rates are not dropping anymore although the country's economy seems to be in a real boom. The reason is according to Swedish Prime minister Reinfeldt the high tax level as described above.
Income taxes here in Sweden followed a very simple formula before Reinfeldt came into the picture: about 30% of income taxe until a yearly income of 395 600 Swedish Kronas (SEK). For an income above this sum taxes will rise to 50% and for a yearly income of above 560 900 SEK taxes will be about 55%. But please note that only the marginal sums will be within the higher tax rate. And Swedish taxes are all inclusive: they include social security, pension, sickness insurance, the works. No more fees have to be paid by the employee. Compared with Germany where you can see tax-rates of about 20%, but then the employee will have to pay sickness insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, ... it seems alright. The big difference is that we call it taxes, Germany calls it fees...
However, since Reinfeldt started his crusade against high taxation in sweden, we have received tax deductions for the working that decreases income taxes according to their working income, meaning: only the once who are working will receive this deduction. Reinfeldt administration says that this taxreduction has lead to declining unemployment figures. Well, please let me remind you that economics right now is moving upwards and in a boom unemployment figures ALWAYS drop. But: thing is, unemployment has not dropped as much as it was planned. So what is Reinfeldt administration's answer? Yes, of course, more tax reductions and less taxes for the people with higher income. At the same time important community parts i.e. hospitals, schools and care for elderly are sold out, not working, closing down.
I personally do not understand the advantage of another taxreduction. The last 8% of the unemployed will not start working because they have in mind that they will have to pay less taxes?! I believe that a major questions instead should be why employers are not hiring people anymore? Why do companies, both minor and large once, stop employing in good times like this? Could it be because labor is too expensive? An employer pays beyond salary even social fees that amounts to 31,42% of the gross-salary. Meaning: an employee will cost a month's salary plus 31,42% social fees. Why did not anyone discuss a reduction of those fees instead? Give employers an opportunity to hire more people for a minor cost. THIS should be a great bait for any company, espescially minor companies with a few employees and where the cost of the social fees is extremely high in relation to other costs.
In 2010 941.458 MSEK were paid as salary (including employee's taxes) from private, non-governmental comapnies (source: SCB). Above that 286.109 MSEK were paid in social fees, so the total cost for Swedish companies sums up to 1.227.567MSEK, more than a billion Swedish Kronas. Is it crazy then, to wonder if it would be more interesting to hire someone if it was cheaper? And lower taxes will not do the works, lower social fees will!
Income taxes here in Sweden followed a very simple formula before Reinfeldt came into the picture: about 30% of income taxe until a yearly income of 395 600 Swedish Kronas (SEK). For an income above this sum taxes will rise to 50% and for a yearly income of above 560 900 SEK taxes will be about 55%. But please note that only the marginal sums will be within the higher tax rate. And Swedish taxes are all inclusive: they include social security, pension, sickness insurance, the works. No more fees have to be paid by the employee. Compared with Germany where you can see tax-rates of about 20%, but then the employee will have to pay sickness insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance, ... it seems alright. The big difference is that we call it taxes, Germany calls it fees...
However, since Reinfeldt started his crusade against high taxation in sweden, we have received tax deductions for the working that decreases income taxes according to their working income, meaning: only the once who are working will receive this deduction. Reinfeldt administration says that this taxreduction has lead to declining unemployment figures. Well, please let me remind you that economics right now is moving upwards and in a boom unemployment figures ALWAYS drop. But: thing is, unemployment has not dropped as much as it was planned. So what is Reinfeldt administration's answer? Yes, of course, more tax reductions and less taxes for the people with higher income. At the same time important community parts i.e. hospitals, schools and care for elderly are sold out, not working, closing down.
I personally do not understand the advantage of another taxreduction. The last 8% of the unemployed will not start working because they have in mind that they will have to pay less taxes?! I believe that a major questions instead should be why employers are not hiring people anymore? Why do companies, both minor and large once, stop employing in good times like this? Could it be because labor is too expensive? An employer pays beyond salary even social fees that amounts to 31,42% of the gross-salary. Meaning: an employee will cost a month's salary plus 31,42% social fees. Why did not anyone discuss a reduction of those fees instead? Give employers an opportunity to hire more people for a minor cost. THIS should be a great bait for any company, espescially minor companies with a few employees and where the cost of the social fees is extremely high in relation to other costs.
In 2010 941.458 MSEK were paid as salary (including employee's taxes) from private, non-governmental comapnies (source: SCB). Above that 286.109 MSEK were paid in social fees, so the total cost for Swedish companies sums up to 1.227.567MSEK, more than a billion Swedish Kronas. Is it crazy then, to wonder if it would be more interesting to hire someone if it was cheaper? And lower taxes will not do the works, lower social fees will!
söndag 10 april 2011
Substancial patience: Personal choices or getting persuaded
Substancial patience: Personal choices or getting persuaded: "As my friends know, I am very interested in politics and even an active politician here in Stockholm. Together with another friend we founde..."
Personal choices or getting persuaded
As my friends know, I am very interested in politics and even an active politician here in Stockholm. Together with another friend we founded an own political association within the Swedish Socialdemocrats. For about 15 years a couple of my friends hunted me down because they wanted me to become more active and at least it became that way. Now, just 2 years after my start, I am already hesitant about the development of my political career.
I follow news about internal elections, I watch with my eyes widely opened upon the development of the party of my choice. And I ask myself: is it only within the immigrant parts of the party lobbyism and persuasion is normality before elections? Is it only within the immgrant parts of the party when a promise does not count for anything anymore? I can see that many of the discussions within the group of immigrants active in politics only concern political power, careersteps, hierarchy and ranking. I miss debates on political toppings and powerful discussions about how to improve Sweden, how to make it better for all of us immigrants.
I do not want to be a part of a situation when it does not matter anymore what I want and what I believe in, but the only thing that matters is who to elect and whom to follow to suceed in making a career. I stand for what I say and think, I stand for my thoughts and instinctive actions, I stand for making unbiased decisions instead of surrender to other people's views and choices. Will I be punished for this? We will see!
I follow news about internal elections, I watch with my eyes widely opened upon the development of the party of my choice. And I ask myself: is it only within the immigrant parts of the party lobbyism and persuasion is normality before elections? Is it only within the immgrant parts of the party when a promise does not count for anything anymore? I can see that many of the discussions within the group of immigrants active in politics only concern political power, careersteps, hierarchy and ranking. I miss debates on political toppings and powerful discussions about how to improve Sweden, how to make it better for all of us immigrants.
I do not want to be a part of a situation when it does not matter anymore what I want and what I believe in, but the only thing that matters is who to elect and whom to follow to suceed in making a career. I stand for what I say and think, I stand for my thoughts and instinctive actions, I stand for making unbiased decisions instead of surrender to other people's views and choices. Will I be punished for this? We will see!
torsdag 7 april 2011
Substancial patience: Modern economics
Substancial patience: Modern economics: "Today ECB has raised European point interest rate with 0.25 points in a time when Portugal asked for financial support to avoid bankruptcy a..."
Modern economics
Today ECB has raised European point interest rate with 0.25 points in a time when Portugal asked for financial support to avoid bankruptcy and Ireland and Greece already received a multi billion Euro package to save the countries economics. And Spain is still at risk. ECB seems to make its decisions based on good old school of economics.
When I studied at Stockholm University 10 years ago, we were taught that interset rates were to be raised in times when inflation raises above inflation goals. The big difference is that a decennium ago, inflations rates were rising in times when unemployment rates were low, countries economics were on top and Centralbanks had to subpress economics to avoid a meltdown. But do you think that unemployment rates of 8% (England), 12% (Greece), or 7.5% (Germany) are low? Or even our own Swedish economy that is described so positivly in media. But read inbetween the lines: unemployment rate of 7.6%, Industrial orders begin to sink and sinking consumtion figures. I do not think that these are signs for an upgoing and positiv development. Government incitaments of tax reductions for the working did not have the planned effect. Unemployment rates did not sink as wished and consumtion did not raise. Instead the whole EU and even the US can see raised inflation rates that put governments and Centralbanks in fear.
Well, then lets see why inflation is higher than foreseen? ECB states that it is afraid that high petrol prices will statute a higher inflation rate in the future. High petrol prices, did I not write something about petrol in the last couple of weeks? Yes, right, there were a couple of wars going on and the only winners (for now) are the weapon industry that has its show-off at the sights. Now, they can really advertise for their latest technics. Swedish ministers talked about the Swedish involvement in Lybia as if this was some kind of commercial jippo, " now we canshow how great our planes are"! Well, ok, If the weapon industry now will make much more money thanks to the problems in those petrol-generating countries that lead to a financial crisis due to higher inflation and subsequent raised interest rates... let the weapon industry help those countries in need, those countries that will have even more problems to pay of their debts because of the higher interest rate. Do not put this on our shoulders by raising interest rates according to market rules that no longer apply.
When I studied at Stockholm University 10 years ago, we were taught that interset rates were to be raised in times when inflation raises above inflation goals. The big difference is that a decennium ago, inflations rates were rising in times when unemployment rates were low, countries economics were on top and Centralbanks had to subpress economics to avoid a meltdown. But do you think that unemployment rates of 8% (England), 12% (Greece), or 7.5% (Germany) are low? Or even our own Swedish economy that is described so positivly in media. But read inbetween the lines: unemployment rate of 7.6%, Industrial orders begin to sink and sinking consumtion figures. I do not think that these are signs for an upgoing and positiv development. Government incitaments of tax reductions for the working did not have the planned effect. Unemployment rates did not sink as wished and consumtion did not raise. Instead the whole EU and even the US can see raised inflation rates that put governments and Centralbanks in fear.
Well, then lets see why inflation is higher than foreseen? ECB states that it is afraid that high petrol prices will statute a higher inflation rate in the future. High petrol prices, did I not write something about petrol in the last couple of weeks? Yes, right, there were a couple of wars going on and the only winners (for now) are the weapon industry that has its show-off at the sights. Now, they can really advertise for their latest technics. Swedish ministers talked about the Swedish involvement in Lybia as if this was some kind of commercial jippo, " now we canshow how great our planes are"! Well, ok, If the weapon industry now will make much more money thanks to the problems in those petrol-generating countries that lead to a financial crisis due to higher inflation and subsequent raised interest rates... let the weapon industry help those countries in need, those countries that will have even more problems to pay of their debts because of the higher interest rate. Do not put this on our shoulders by raising interest rates according to market rules that no longer apply.
söndag 3 april 2011
Substancial patience: right wing movement all over the world
Substancial patience: right wing movement all over the world: "I do not believe that you missed the spectacular koran-burning of an american referend with all of its brutal consequences? Or have you miss..."
right wing movement all over the world
I do not believe that you missed the spectacular koran-burning of an american referend with all of its brutal consequences? Or have you missed that facebook has been sued for a page that fb actually closed down? If you do not live in Sweden, you might not know that we have a right wing, xenophob party (Sverigedemokraterna, SD) in the Swedish government that plays a crucial role in Swedish politics as it determines which side wins votings in Swedish parliament: red/green or blue (liberal). Today it was announced that on 90% of all votings SD votes for the right wing. NO, what a surprise! But SD still says that they are a neutral party with no orientation to any side.
I am just wondering what happened to basic human rights, compassion and respect? Do we have to burn books to show how low we can sink? Do only some people have the right to express themselves on the internet and social networks? How can there still be people in upplighted countries like Sweden that think that they are better than others?
I do not know if it is thanks to my German blood that I am always reminded of all the happenings throughout worldwar II? Did not Hitler order a big book-burning? And look what happened then. Did not Hitler put an end to all kind of opposite coverage and questioning journalism and only allowed some groups to speak in public? And look what happened then. Did not Hitler from the beginning say that he just wants the best for the german people? And look what happened then!
Please do not misunderstand me. I do not think that the demand for freedom of speech should make it possible to attack other groups or individuals. But why should this right be declared valid for some groups but be void for others? Take the Koran-burning as example: I just wonder what referend Terry Jones would think about a general Bible-burning? He explaines that he wants to illustrate the violence that is related to Islam. Is this not a paradox? To perform such an upsetting spectacle to show violence? Is the act of awaking violence not an act of violence itself? I am sure that he must have been aware that his actions would lead to violent reactions.
Facebook: an internet community that gives the right to most of opinions and political directions to go public. If you type the word Israel or Nazi you will find at least a dussin pro-israelian sites there. And that is great. It shows the possibility to meet, to discuss and to debate. Still: the pro-palestine site "third palestine intifada" was shut down and now fb has been sued for over a billion USdollars. What makes one group better than the other? I have made my homework and have been reading a couple of the pro-israelian sites and I can promise you that not all posts are peaceful. I can understand that sometimes the violent aspects of some posts are more than excessive and I can understand that sometimes this kind of publications has to be stopped but then this should be applicable to everyone! Terry Jones still has his fb-site online...
And please, SD, stopp being so superiour, believing to be better than everyone else. Everyone knows that you running a right wing party. Xenophobia cannot be left wing, ever!
I am just wondering what happened to basic human rights, compassion and respect? Do we have to burn books to show how low we can sink? Do only some people have the right to express themselves on the internet and social networks? How can there still be people in upplighted countries like Sweden that think that they are better than others?
I do not know if it is thanks to my German blood that I am always reminded of all the happenings throughout worldwar II? Did not Hitler order a big book-burning? And look what happened then. Did not Hitler put an end to all kind of opposite coverage and questioning journalism and only allowed some groups to speak in public? And look what happened then. Did not Hitler from the beginning say that he just wants the best for the german people? And look what happened then!
Please do not misunderstand me. I do not think that the demand for freedom of speech should make it possible to attack other groups or individuals. But why should this right be declared valid for some groups but be void for others? Take the Koran-burning as example: I just wonder what referend Terry Jones would think about a general Bible-burning? He explaines that he wants to illustrate the violence that is related to Islam. Is this not a paradox? To perform such an upsetting spectacle to show violence? Is the act of awaking violence not an act of violence itself? I am sure that he must have been aware that his actions would lead to violent reactions.
Facebook: an internet community that gives the right to most of opinions and political directions to go public. If you type the word Israel or Nazi you will find at least a dussin pro-israelian sites there. And that is great. It shows the possibility to meet, to discuss and to debate. Still: the pro-palestine site "third palestine intifada" was shut down and now fb has been sued for over a billion USdollars. What makes one group better than the other? I have made my homework and have been reading a couple of the pro-israelian sites and I can promise you that not all posts are peaceful. I can understand that sometimes the violent aspects of some posts are more than excessive and I can understand that sometimes this kind of publications has to be stopped but then this should be applicable to everyone! Terry Jones still has his fb-site online...
And please, SD, stopp being so superiour, believing to be better than everyone else. Everyone knows that you running a right wing party. Xenophobia cannot be left wing, ever!
fredag 1 april 2011
Substancial patience: About integration - or why we will never be united...
Substancial patience: About integration - or why we will never be united...: "Yesterday I was on a meeting of the Swedish Socialdemocrats immigrationsboard and followed it with a sense of surprise. So often I hear..."
About integration - or why we will never be united
Yesterday I was on a meeting of the Swedish Socialdemocrats immigrationsboard and followed it with a sense of surprise. So often I hear immigrants talking about the Swedish people's unwillingness to integrate foreigners to the Swedish society. So often I hear voices rising that the Swedish people are xenophobic and do not like foreigners. So often I hear that we immigrants are not welcomed to this country.
Well, yesterday I experienced a second of enlightenment: how can we immigrants expect the Swedish people to accept us and allow us integration into their society if we cannot even find agreement inbetween ourselfes?
The whole meeting can be described as a show off between different immigrant groups and when our assignment was to plead for a new chairman, all kind of objectives were put on the board. We should vote for a European citizen, we should have someone from outside the EU. We should vote for someone blond, we should vote for a black person. We should vote for a christian, we should vote for someone who knows arabic to please muslims. The only real suprise for me was that the choice was between two (fantastic bright and professional) women. Otherwise I was chocked and disappointed.
If we immigrants cannot find some kind of serious possibility to agree, to find the middle-path and to find some consensus, how can we then become members of the Swedish society? I do not mean that everyone always has to be of the same opinion. No! There has to be some scope that gives people the opportunity to disagree. BUT: sometimes you have to agree to disagree. You have to find a consensus and to split the note. This seems to be impossible for us. Everyone who stood up yesterday had their very own interest in mind, despite the risk that it will harm the board and even the party. A party that is just on its way to recover from disasterous internal problems.
If we cannot jump over our own shadows to prevail this kind of troubles and to give in for a greater cause, if we cannot become one minority, instead we become 28 different groups who are all concerned about their own benefits, how can we become integrated into Swedish society? I would like to see us stand united to demand our place in society, to demand our place in politics and in the government. For us, for the country and for our future.
Well, yesterday I experienced a second of enlightenment: how can we immigrants expect the Swedish people to accept us and allow us integration into their society if we cannot even find agreement inbetween ourselfes?
The whole meeting can be described as a show off between different immigrant groups and when our assignment was to plead for a new chairman, all kind of objectives were put on the board. We should vote for a European citizen, we should have someone from outside the EU. We should vote for someone blond, we should vote for a black person. We should vote for a christian, we should vote for someone who knows arabic to please muslims. The only real suprise for me was that the choice was between two (fantastic bright and professional) women. Otherwise I was chocked and disappointed.
If we immigrants cannot find some kind of serious possibility to agree, to find the middle-path and to find some consensus, how can we then become members of the Swedish society? I do not mean that everyone always has to be of the same opinion. No! There has to be some scope that gives people the opportunity to disagree. BUT: sometimes you have to agree to disagree. You have to find a consensus and to split the note. This seems to be impossible for us. Everyone who stood up yesterday had their very own interest in mind, despite the risk that it will harm the board and even the party. A party that is just on its way to recover from disasterous internal problems.
If we cannot jump over our own shadows to prevail this kind of troubles and to give in for a greater cause, if we cannot become one minority, instead we become 28 different groups who are all concerned about their own benefits, how can we become integrated into Swedish society? I would like to see us stand united to demand our place in society, to demand our place in politics and in the government. For us, for the country and for our future.
onsdag 30 mars 2011
Substancial patience: Now: here it comes!
Substancial patience: Now: here it comes!: "So, now we, the Swedish people have received an answer to the question why Sweden has to participate in Nato's military actions in Libya (so..."
Now: here it comes!
So, now we, the Swedish people have received an answer to the question why Sweden has to participate in Nato's military actions in Libya (sorry for the earlier misspelling!). Sweden has to follow Nato, because Sweden is not member of Nato... A paradox? Well, listen to his: Sweden has signed a one party agreement that we will help other European countries if they promise to help us if there were any military risks. Kind of: I wash your hand if you wash mine. According to the Swedish papers, and foreign minister Carl Bildt, is this the reason why we cannot say no to engage in Libya. Problem is: as far as I know there is no European country actually threatened by the libyan government, is it?
So, once more, why do we have to participate?
It is even told that Germanys membership in Nato gives them the right to put themselves outside this mitlitary engagement, just because they already ARE member of Nato and therefore already are secured in case of military threats. We have to fight for our security... Luckily, next week Rasmussen, Nato's generalsecretary will visit Sweden. I am not going to be surprised if we receive another invitaion to join Nato. Of course... we have to defend our country from non existing threats. Oh, sorry, no, there actually ARE threats now. At least after having been put in the middle of a military mission in northafrica.
So, once more, why do we have to participate?
It is even told that Germanys membership in Nato gives them the right to put themselves outside this mitlitary engagement, just because they already ARE member of Nato and therefore already are secured in case of military threats. We have to fight for our security... Luckily, next week Rasmussen, Nato's generalsecretary will visit Sweden. I am not going to be surprised if we receive another invitaion to join Nato. Of course... we have to defend our country from non existing threats. Oh, sorry, no, there actually ARE threats now. At least after having been put in the middle of a military mission in northafrica.
tisdag 29 mars 2011
Substancial patience: Afghanistan all over again - or why you shouldn't ...
Substancial patience: Afghanistan all over again - or why you shouldn't ...: "I really had a hard time on chosing my topic today. The news, the papers, conversations with family and friends all spin around Lybia, Syria..."
Afghanistan all over again - or why you shouldn't play with guns
I really had a hard time on chosing my topic today. The news, the papers, conversations with family and friends all spin around Lybia, Syria, Japan, Sweden's engagement in Lybia, .... and in the middle of all that, a member of the Swedish parliament tells us that refugees hiding in sweden (even children) should not get any help: no school, no care, nothing.
Well, I could discuss SD's Åkesson (right wing party leader), but I just feel that my time and my thoughts are too precious to waste on his statements.
Then we have Syria. In the morning there was just one headline, no explaining text, in one of the Swedish biggest papers: Syrian government will resign today. No more, no less. So, media has not received any information on Srian status in the last couple of days, but they know that the Syrian President will kick his administration? Tonight, the Swedish people had for the very first time the possibility to read about the pro-syrian demonstrations, but (!) with a hint that those demonstrations were kind of fake. Why did not anyone question the earlier protests against the Syrian regime? Why did not anyone check if there were only Syrians protesting or if there were other forces in action? Well, I leave this question to the Swedish and International media to answer but assume that I will have to wait for eternity for a reply.
Last, but not least, the Swedish decision to send own planes to Lybia to help Nato in their effords to help the Lybian rebellions. USA's Obama Barack even talks about putting weapon into the rebellions hands to help them against Ghaddafis violence. Is it just me or is this like a dejà vu? Could someone please remind the American president, Nato, FN and everyone else who believes in this strange idea, that this could give the rest of the world a real hangover. Think: Afghanistan. Talibans getting weapon to fight against the Sovjet. And what happened then? Did not the US point out Talibans as the worst enemy in their fight against terror?
Ok, just let us think: we give away guns into rebellions' hands, we give them all Nato power to fight Ghaddafi and his supporters (and YES, those are people too!), we support all of the anti-Ghaddafi movement. But do we know who we support? Do we know if those rebellions actually will be better to their people than Ghaddafi has been? What will happen, once Ghaddafi (or al Assad in Syria, or King Abdullah of Jordan, etc) are gone? Another Iraqi fiasko? Or will we see a government supported by West that will see to West's best interests i.e. cheaper oil and gas? Is all of this a fight for peace and human rights or is it a way to secure nature's assets to our own advantage? Will the FN, Nato, Sweden be able to secure human rights in those countries after a powershift? Or will they leave the countries to fall apart as Afghanistan and Iraq?
And one last question: if all nations follow Nato-lead into a military engagement, which country will then be able to do the talk? Which country will be able to stand aside to act as neutral part to be able to help those countries on a democratic, non-military path towards freedom, democray and peace? The Swedish government has from today resigned from this post! What a pity!
Well, I could discuss SD's Åkesson (right wing party leader), but I just feel that my time and my thoughts are too precious to waste on his statements.
Then we have Syria. In the morning there was just one headline, no explaining text, in one of the Swedish biggest papers: Syrian government will resign today. No more, no less. So, media has not received any information on Srian status in the last couple of days, but they know that the Syrian President will kick his administration? Tonight, the Swedish people had for the very first time the possibility to read about the pro-syrian demonstrations, but (!) with a hint that those demonstrations were kind of fake. Why did not anyone question the earlier protests against the Syrian regime? Why did not anyone check if there were only Syrians protesting or if there were other forces in action? Well, I leave this question to the Swedish and International media to answer but assume that I will have to wait for eternity for a reply.
Last, but not least, the Swedish decision to send own planes to Lybia to help Nato in their effords to help the Lybian rebellions. USA's Obama Barack even talks about putting weapon into the rebellions hands to help them against Ghaddafis violence. Is it just me or is this like a dejà vu? Could someone please remind the American president, Nato, FN and everyone else who believes in this strange idea, that this could give the rest of the world a real hangover. Think: Afghanistan. Talibans getting weapon to fight against the Sovjet. And what happened then? Did not the US point out Talibans as the worst enemy in their fight against terror?
Ok, just let us think: we give away guns into rebellions' hands, we give them all Nato power to fight Ghaddafi and his supporters (and YES, those are people too!), we support all of the anti-Ghaddafi movement. But do we know who we support? Do we know if those rebellions actually will be better to their people than Ghaddafi has been? What will happen, once Ghaddafi (or al Assad in Syria, or King Abdullah of Jordan, etc) are gone? Another Iraqi fiasko? Or will we see a government supported by West that will see to West's best interests i.e. cheaper oil and gas? Is all of this a fight for peace and human rights or is it a way to secure nature's assets to our own advantage? Will the FN, Nato, Sweden be able to secure human rights in those countries after a powershift? Or will they leave the countries to fall apart as Afghanistan and Iraq?
And one last question: if all nations follow Nato-lead into a military engagement, which country will then be able to do the talk? Which country will be able to stand aside to act as neutral part to be able to help those countries on a democratic, non-military path towards freedom, democray and peace? The Swedish government has from today resigned from this post! What a pity!
måndag 28 mars 2011
Substancial patience: who is dying? ..and what then?
Substancial patience: who is dying? ..and what then?: "Let me discuss Syria just once more. I just watched the news in TV and during 5 minutes the situation in Syria was discussed. The thing that..."
who is dying? ..and what then?
Let me discuss Syria just once more. I just watched the news in TV and during 5 minutes the situation in Syria was discussed. The thing that I missed are stories of eye-witnesses and I do not talk about cellphone movies, but news from people living there. It's said that journalists are not allowed to take pictures or to move throughout the country, well, what about the people living there? I get news from my parents, who right now are in Lattakia, on a daily basis, even pictures attached to e-amils that tell a whole different story.
They tell me that many of the wounded actually are policemen who are not allowed to use any firearms, civilians that try to stopp gunmen who shoot on ordinary civilians. The people of Lattakia were glad when the military arrived because now the situaion calmed down. There are pro-syria demonstrations on a daily basis as well as a couple of minor oppositional demonstrations. The shootings are not happening at those times but at night, outside demonstrations, .... and most of them not by government forces. So, please, media, tell me what to believe? Your picture or the stories told by people actually living in those countries? The only similarity between the two stories is the fact that everyone is waiting for the President's speech!
They tell me that many of the wounded actually are policemen who are not allowed to use any firearms, civilians that try to stopp gunmen who shoot on ordinary civilians. The people of Lattakia were glad when the military arrived because now the situaion calmed down. There are pro-syria demonstrations on a daily basis as well as a couple of minor oppositional demonstrations. The shootings are not happening at those times but at night, outside demonstrations, .... and most of them not by government forces. So, please, media, tell me what to believe? Your picture or the stories told by people actually living in those countries? The only similarity between the two stories is the fact that everyone is waiting for the President's speech!
lördag 26 mars 2011
Substancial patience: Interception in real life
Substancial patience: Interception in real life: "Let me continue my earlier writings on the development in the middle-east and I promise you a forecast that we will be able to discuss in a ..."
Interception in real life
Let me continue my earlier writings on the development in the middle-east and I promise you a forecast that we will be able to discuss in a couple of weeks.
As i wrote before, the happenings in Syria were non-existent when media chose to publish minor demonstration by making an elefant out of a moskito. Now the moskito grow into being an elefant and iI wonder what will happen next. The Syrian regim has already closed down several cities and limited journalistic activities throughout the country. Because: this is what happens when a military monarch (Bashar actually "inherited" presidency from his father Hafez) feels threatened. He will do all in his power to defend his position. This is nature's law: the strongest one will win. Darwin stipulated this theory decades ago.
So what will happen now? And why is media so interested to see another civil-war in the middle-east?
First we had Tunisia and Egypt with a lot of internal problems, disasterous poverty and millions of people without any prospekts for the future. At the same time the people could see the rich getting richer on national assets that could have been split within the poor once. Then: Lybia.... West always wanted to get rid of Ghaddafi and now all of the western countries urging for oil and petrol and gas saw their chance to knock down Lybia's leadership without any interference from Egyptian military. ....and to win all of Lybia's assets, both money and land. Now we can see problems in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. A well known politics of Syria is its support of Hizbollah in Lebanon and Palestines in Gaza. A strong military made all movements in Lebanon impossible even after the official exit of Syria from Lebanon.
Well, the situation has changed now: the Syrian military is engaged in internal problems that (according to my findings) have been started by foreign media and some badly filmed cellphone movies. There is no more security for Lebanon, no more powerful resistance for Palestine. Thanks to this evolvement, the possibility that West will strike on Hizbollah and the Palestine is more than imminent. ... and with West I do not only talk about EU or NATO. Tell me: who has noticed the Israelian decision to expand settlement constructions in Ghaza? Who react on the news that Israel and Ghaza send missiles on each other, yet again? In a different world, the world we knew just 2 monts ago, this would have been a big headline on the world's biggest newspapers, now this information is not worth more than minimum articles on page 8. WHy? What happened? Well, the world found another way to diminish these news, they are not interesting anymore thanks to all the happenings all around those countries. Interception? Deceive? Diversion? Call it whatever you want, the once suffering are the real people in ALL of those countries!
As i wrote before, the happenings in Syria were non-existent when media chose to publish minor demonstration by making an elefant out of a moskito. Now the moskito grow into being an elefant and iI wonder what will happen next. The Syrian regim has already closed down several cities and limited journalistic activities throughout the country. Because: this is what happens when a military monarch (Bashar actually "inherited" presidency from his father Hafez) feels threatened. He will do all in his power to defend his position. This is nature's law: the strongest one will win. Darwin stipulated this theory decades ago.
So what will happen now? And why is media so interested to see another civil-war in the middle-east?
First we had Tunisia and Egypt with a lot of internal problems, disasterous poverty and millions of people without any prospekts for the future. At the same time the people could see the rich getting richer on national assets that could have been split within the poor once. Then: Lybia.... West always wanted to get rid of Ghaddafi and now all of the western countries urging for oil and petrol and gas saw their chance to knock down Lybia's leadership without any interference from Egyptian military. ....and to win all of Lybia's assets, both money and land. Now we can see problems in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria. A well known politics of Syria is its support of Hizbollah in Lebanon and Palestines in Gaza. A strong military made all movements in Lebanon impossible even after the official exit of Syria from Lebanon.
Well, the situation has changed now: the Syrian military is engaged in internal problems that (according to my findings) have been started by foreign media and some badly filmed cellphone movies. There is no more security for Lebanon, no more powerful resistance for Palestine. Thanks to this evolvement, the possibility that West will strike on Hizbollah and the Palestine is more than imminent. ... and with West I do not only talk about EU or NATO. Tell me: who has noticed the Israelian decision to expand settlement constructions in Ghaza? Who react on the news that Israel and Ghaza send missiles on each other, yet again? In a different world, the world we knew just 2 monts ago, this would have been a big headline on the world's biggest newspapers, now this information is not worth more than minimum articles on page 8. WHy? What happened? Well, the world found another way to diminish these news, they are not interesting anymore thanks to all the happenings all around those countries. Interception? Deceive? Diversion? Call it whatever you want, the once suffering are the real people in ALL of those countries!
tisdag 22 mars 2011
Medias commitment to war - wag the dog
I am just again writing about the happenings in the arabic hemisphere. So much that happens right now in so many countries. We all follow the leading papers and news and find new happenings in countries that we never have thought about before: Algeria, Egypt, Lybia, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria... Syria? My parents are actually in Syria right now and I called them. My (german) mom just had come back from Damaskus to the mediterranean city of Lattakia and couldn't confirm any of the news that I had followed during the last week. No protests, no demonstrations, nothing extraordinary.
This makes me think. I remember a film I once saw: wag the dog. Media stages a war in Albania to dislead the people's fokus from their cheating president. Considering how important media and social networks have been during the last couple of months, through all of the subversive happenings in north africa and the arabic world, I start to wonder. Could there be any risk that media does the same thing as in the movie? Could it be in anyone's interest to start internal fights and wars in those countries? Some background information: all countries stated above own large quantities of both petrol and gas, gold and money or have primar political influence in the middle-east. The leaders that actually leave (i.e. Mubarak) are allowed to take all of their money (billions of dollars) that have been made through the sale of those natural assets.
USA's engagement in Irak, one big possibility for the states to get their own base in the middle-east, failed tragically. I can see how disorders in this region could gain the west's economical and financial interest. The possibility to build own military bases in order to promise shelter. Profitable business contracts that promise large quantities of oil, petrol, gas at low prices as payment for security. Who is the winner here?
This makes me think. I remember a film I once saw: wag the dog. Media stages a war in Albania to dislead the people's fokus from their cheating president. Considering how important media and social networks have been during the last couple of months, through all of the subversive happenings in north africa and the arabic world, I start to wonder. Could there be any risk that media does the same thing as in the movie? Could it be in anyone's interest to start internal fights and wars in those countries? Some background information: all countries stated above own large quantities of both petrol and gas, gold and money or have primar political influence in the middle-east. The leaders that actually leave (i.e. Mubarak) are allowed to take all of their money (billions of dollars) that have been made through the sale of those natural assets.
USA's engagement in Irak, one big possibility for the states to get their own base in the middle-east, failed tragically. I can see how disorders in this region could gain the west's economical and financial interest. The possibility to build own military bases in order to promise shelter. Profitable business contracts that promise large quantities of oil, petrol, gas at low prices as payment for security. Who is the winner here?
måndag 21 mars 2011
Protests in the arabic world - wag the dog?
Today the Swedish foreign minister Carl Bildt states 'We have to wait to decide regarding a Swedish participation in any military actions, as we still do not know who leads these actions. There is Eu, Nato and FN and there even could be an ad-hoc administration of different countries.' Well, right now I am wondering who is crazier: Ghaddafi or the rest of the world? Military action without distinct leadership? Civil victims and no one knows who is leading the operation? Bildt is also talking about an ad hoc leadership... I would say that this is an all new expression in modern military action. It is like saying: well, we still do not know who is responsible as long as we don't know what the result will be. This one sentence is actually summarizing the problem that we in west need to solve. We need a new, more distinguished leadership that can re-unite EU, that can make us forget all that happened in Irak and that gives the countries and their people back their credibility towards countries south of the mediterranean. Maybe, an increased credibility and enhanced authority could prevent from further military action in the future. Or at least: make it more trustworthy!
söndag 20 mars 2011
International politics - Lybia - the world goes crazy?
"Ghaddafi is crazy" is what I hear all around me: in the news, papaers around friends.... well: dah.... he is the guy that actually lived in a tent when he was on international meetings. No matter if it was France, England, USA or Sweden. Who had ever a thought that he was normal? And now the world is chocked about his actions in "his" country when there is a risk that he will loose control. I am not chocked at all. I presumed every step that he has taken until now and can even foresee much worse actions from his side. He is (and always has been) crazy. What I am wondering about is what happened to the rest of the world? Since when does FN engage in a country's internal affairs? Have a look at Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain... we saw the comments but did we see any action? NO. Well, why not, one might ask.
Let me have one guess: petrol. None of the countries listed above has any petrol that could be interesting. Egypt ownes gas, but 30% of their gas-deliveries go directly to USA and 40% of Israel's gas is delivered by Egypt below market price. One can see why no government had any interest to disturb this economical balance of power. On teh other side you can see that Lybia ownes oil, petrol. And Lybia sells oil. As far as I know there are no internal contracts with USA, Israel or any other UN-nation. Could this be a reason why the western hemisphere is in such a rage: they saw a possibility, a possibility to make some big money on the poor people of Lybia.
And please, do not misunderstand me, I do not want to see Ghaddafi left as Lybia's leader. I just wonder why the world makes such a big difference between different countries with the same problems. And I hope that they will not leave the lyvian people in a chaos that can be compared to Irak.
Let me have one guess: petrol. None of the countries listed above has any petrol that could be interesting. Egypt ownes gas, but 30% of their gas-deliveries go directly to USA and 40% of Israel's gas is delivered by Egypt below market price. One can see why no government had any interest to disturb this economical balance of power. On teh other side you can see that Lybia ownes oil, petrol. And Lybia sells oil. As far as I know there are no internal contracts with USA, Israel or any other UN-nation. Could this be a reason why the western hemisphere is in such a rage: they saw a possibility, a possibility to make some big money on the poor people of Lybia.
And please, do not misunderstand me, I do not want to see Ghaddafi left as Lybia's leader. I just wonder why the world makes such a big difference between different countries with the same problems. And I hope that they will not leave the lyvian people in a chaos that can be compared to Irak.
fredag 18 mars 2011
Swedish change of mind: nuclear power plants
1980 the Swedish people voted for a liquidation of all nuclear powerplants in sweden by the year 2010. Just in 2010 the Swedish government decided to pass this decision and instead it was voted, with 174 votes against 172, to build new once. The reasons that were given all included a discussion about effects on environment, dependency on oil based energy and so forth. I watched the discussions with big eyes and wondered if we all had forgotten about the possible hazards and the environmental impact due to long lived uranium. But... no... no discussion about these questions. The law was passed. Today, less than a year later, we all watch with horror the happenings in Japan. Yes, I know, a lot of you will tell me that we dont have earthquakes here, but still.... Shouldnt we, as a predecessor regarding environmental questions, instead of building new plants, put the money in even larger environmental friendly energy projects? Why not putting the money into wind or solar-systems? Even if the risk to experience a nuclear meltdown here in Sweden might be minor, still we have the longtime effects of the nuclear waste that has to be stored for hundreds of years. Just this week, the swedish company responsible for nuclear waste, SKB, has asked for permission to store more waste in a cave, deep down in some mountain here in Sweden. Is this not kind of pervert when all of our eyes are facing the development far east?
New at this
All of my friends and family surely think that I am really getting crazy now. No time, always too much to do and still, now I am starting a blogg. Well, look at it this way: with too much to do sometimes I just cannot get rid of all of my thoughts and the tension in my life just by writing on fb. Now, my dear friends, you will be showered by my thoughts, plans, whereabouts and life thrilling happenings! I already thank you for your patience and your comments... see you around!
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