Nonono, dawvgrid, I am saying our economy has *grown* for the last 8 years. Despite our economy growing, we've had increasing taxes and decreasing return for the taxes we pay.
We've decreased the funding to students (which will really be an investment, as people with a higher education in general a) earn a lot more, and through it pay taxes and b) are more likely to be employed, all the while we've increased our welfare spendings. Our military has been downgraded; we've scrapped our subs and not bought new ones. The quality of care for our elders has been on a decline. I could go on.
Costs for the average citizen has gone up, the economy has grown at a steady rate, although not as fast as some more liberal countries (like the US), but yet we've had a decline in the services we receive.
Pia Kjaergaard won't have much of a say - she's got a big mouth and is at the very least a culture-ist. She's also woved to support the social democrats on issues they agree on - so even if you vote on the social democrats, you'll still be stuck with her.
All in all, the social democrats have taken the position that most services are done best by the state. I am quite sure this ain't true. I am convinced that by using private enterprises, the cost, through the workings of the supply and demand and competitionl, for many of our services can be dramatically improved.
It's also worth noticing that the social democrats and the liberal parties are in agreement with regards to the welfare state - it is to continue to exist. How it is to be run is a different matter - and as the last 8 years have shown, it is not cost-effective the way it currently is run.
I'm gonna vote for the Conservatives. The social democrats have had 8 years to do good. While they haven't done anything catastrophically wrong, they've basically run a reactionary, tradtional policy - nothing changes. Well, the world does change, and policies need to change with it.
If we get a blue government, there'll be some changes. Nothing too dramatic; the future of the welfare state certainly isn't at stake, even though the socialists would like us to believe that. The social democrats have had 8 years to show what they can do - we now know what they can do, and how they'll do it. I.e when cost increases, taxes increases. It is time for another approach: if costs increases, analyse, then implement. Make things more effective. Balance by reducing costs, not by increasing taxes.
Last election I placed a blank vote - I feel it is ESSENTIAL to vote - it is probably the FOREMOST duty of a citizen. I didn't have the knowledge of Danish politics or ituation last time around, having just arrived in Denmark from Sweden. This time I have.
Better dead than red
.
Oh, I should say that if you're a social democrat: I do respect you. I do respect your opinions, and I do respect your approach to matters. I, however, do not agree they're the best ones, and in some cases I don't think they're good at all.
Man, politics can be sorta addictive, if one takes a more philosophical approach to it.
Oh, and the blue parties are the only ones who promise to work for a stop on tax increases
. You gotta admit, Dawvgrid, that we're not getting enough bang for the buck. Sweden has just a well equipped and functioning welfare state as we do, and a much bigger military/police forces, as well as a much more difficult geography, yet they manage with lower taxes than us.
Lastly: with the exception of Enhedslisten, Dansk Folkeparti and Fremskridtspartiet, I believe our political leaders to be quite intelligent, dedicated and honest, compared to politicians from other countries. One of the benefits of living in a quite small, rich democracy, I gather.
