THE VOTER AND THE ELECTED

The will of the people?

Politicians are usually depicted as unreliable. And that is not without reason. But at least as big a problem are the voters in a democracy. Voters come literally in all shapes and sizes. This diversity is in itself well and good. Diversity can keep us morally tight and ensures that along with their own qualities people can bring something about in society that would otherwise not be possible. If that diversity would not have developed over centuries, we would still live as nomadic hunters. In his book ‘Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human …
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09
Nov 2016
CATEGORY

Various

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GEERT WILDERS BEFORE LISTENING TO HIS SPEECH ON 9/11

Geert Wilders: “There is nothing wrong with Islam”

The Dutch congressman Geert Wilders (Freedom Party (Partij voor de Vrijheid)) will deliver a speech on September 11, 2010 in New York in opposition to the proposed building of a mosque close to Ground Zero. He will not only condemn the followers of Islam, but also Islam itself. He has already talked about a “dreadful mosque”. It is a great pity that he makes these sorts of statements. About 10 years ago Geert Wilders had very different opinions.

On September 24, 2001 Geert Wilders was a guest on the Dutch TV program …
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19
Aug 2010
CATEGORY

Various

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WHO IS TO BLAME FOR BLACK MONDAY?

That remains to be seen 

‘Blaming others is a sign of low self-esteem because in doing so we are not taking responsibility‘

On Monday 29 September 2008, the US House of Representatives rejected a $700 billion bailout plan aimed at stabilizing the financial system, i.e. a plan to let the least fit survive, triggering the largest point drop in Wall Street’s history.

The bill was trounced by a 228-205 vote, with “no votes” from both the Democratic and Republican sides. The fact is that of the Democrats, 141 voted for the bill and 94, or 40%, voted …
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30
Sep 2008
CATEGORY

Various

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BARACK OBAMA: WHAT HAS THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN TO GAIN OR TO LOSE?

What if he becomes the next President of the U.S.?

We have seen the results in Iowa and New Hampshire: Barack Obama gained much attention and got many votes. So there is a (slight) chance that he might be the Democratic candidate in the U.S. Presidential race, although no one should underestimate Hillary Clinton. Obama might even win the race, although no one should underestimate John McCain either.

Theoretically, Barack Obama could be the next President and if so, for argument’s sake, how would that affect the Dutch Caribbean? In 2007, three U.S. Senators proposed a bill against tax havens and tax paradises. This …
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09
Jan 2008
CATEGORY

Legal

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