After returning back home from America to the Netherlands, it struck me
how incredibly passive the Dutch population reacts to many decisions of
their Government, which unfortunately, usually negatively affects the
"pocketbooks" of the average Dutch citizen.
Particularly, because when these decisions are announced, the Dutch
Government gives little or often no clear explanation, about the nature
or reasons for these decisions. Their catch words usually are, either to
improve the economy or to cut costs.
One example is the Dutch Health-Care system, which was changed a few
years ago from a government controlled Universal Health-Care program, to
a "Market controlled version, now mainly controlled by Insurance
companies.
According to a recently held opinion poll, however, a majority (more
than 60%) of the Dutch population wants to return to the old system of
Universal Health-Care, since the new system, now run by Insurance
companies has steadily increased their costs for affordable Health-Care .
In the field of education, Dutch students, who used to be able to apply
for a free scholarship, which they did not have to pay off, after they
successfully had completed their educational program, now have to pay
back their scholarship through a loan program, including interest.
Unfortunately, many Dutch politicians, and large companies have abused
the concept of "market forces" to create the suggestion of freedom and
honesty.
A truly free market offers advantages, but with economic "spins and gibberish", as it does now, it certainly does not.
Bottom - line, the Dutch citizen is now at the mercy of a few large
suppliers - and the so-called benefits of the market forces do not end
up being tangible economic benefits to them .
The Netherlands economy, unfortunately, is starting to look more and
more like that of the US, and that certainly is a scary idea.
Isn't it time to man the barricades?
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EU-Digest
