Questions for International Peoples

[MCdread]

I apologise for the long post this will be, but since my country is not very known, appart from the sea and sun of Algarve, you can find some other information here.

I live in Portugal: our history in the 20th century is important to understand the country as it is now. Between 1926 and 1974 Portugal was a corporative republic with some fascist connection. That stil marks the country's agenda today. In 1974 a leftist military coup with overwhelming popular support began a 2 year period of pro-comunist government. In 1976, the political system as it is today emerged. But, because of the fascist trauma, untill the 80s even the right wing parties agreed with the first artical of the constitution, that states that Portugal is a democratic parliamentary republic with universal suffrage, a State of Right (I don't know if anglo-saxon countries use this expression) with the aim of building a Socilalist Society. But this sentence is no longer in the Constitution and must not be interpreted as Socialist society = Comunist society. It simply means that the State's obligation is to defend an equal society, but this type of lexicon is not very popular worldwide. Nowadays Portugal is a country with the same political system as his European Union partners. So, with this in mind:

1) Portugal is a parlamentary republic, with one House of Deputies (called Republic's Assembley) ellected by universal suffrage. The Head of State is the President of the Republic, also elected by direct universal suffrage for a period of 5 years with a maximum of 2 mandates. This is not a presidential system, so the powers of the president lie between the ones of the French president and the German one.
Now the Socialist Party is in the government, but as in any other EU country with a left party in power, this means a Tony Blair's Third Way type of government.

2) Drugs: Portugal does not have a proibitionist tradition, so, although drugs are forbiden, this means: the Police won't bother you if you are consuming light drugs and it is rare to go after hard drugs consumers.
Alcohol: There hasn't been any legislation untill this year. Now I think it is only legal to buy drinks for 16 or above, but it is highly unlikely that someone will stop a 13 year old kid from buying it in a supermarket.
Freedom of speech: No problem, unless for fascist parties. Eg, censorship in TV for sex issues is non-existent, and I agree with this. No one has the moral right to stop anyone from watching what so ever. That is a problem for the parents and who dislikes it, just turn of the TV.
Civil Rights: contemplated in the constitution, but still not the same for hetero and homossexual people in terms family issues (the right of marriage for example).
Civil Liberties: the expression does not exists here, the State has the same influence as in othr european countries.

3) I don't know the exact rates, but it is more less the same system the dutch guys told. The problem is not that they are high (although they are), the problem is that the government uses it in a very bad manner.

4) That question does not makes sense. I find that classification (capitalist vs. socialist) to be very superficial and perverse in the world of today. My answer would be neither, or in the middle of the two, making the way for a capitalist one. But never as far as in the US.

5) More than 95% of white portuguese. In the last 15 years there's a rising income of people from the african ex-colonies and Brazil, i.e. portuguese speaking people, but now most immigrants come from Ukraine and Moldova. Unlike the africans, these are spreading to everywhere, the cities and the farming areas.

6) The same as in the other western countries, plus: the incapacity of the governmaent in reducing the structural gap that still subsists between Portugal and their Northern European partners; the almost genetic characteristic for pessimism and not believing in ourselves. For those of you who know the word fado, it means a sad and unavoidable fate. That is the ultimate problem that we must erase from our national consciousness.

 

[geake]

Originally posted by .:KNAS:.
but in general sweden is a nice place to live

Yes that's right!
But many things amazed me.
No offense but I think that sometimes swedes are robots.
An exemple, wherever you go (I mean to the post office, to the bank, to the railway station to buy a train ticket) you have to pick up a "queue ticket" with a number on it. That's great, because that you can't sneak in front of other people.
But on the other hand, if there's nobody in the place (like i step in and i'm all alone), the cashier won't talk to me until I show him the ticket ... those may be robots sometimes ...

Another thing I don't understand is this age difference matter for club, in a country where many many girls are feminist activists (maybe that's a bit exagerated), in a country where equality is an important matter.

And last but not least, a proverb I learned to accept in Sweden (quite difficult for french people I must say): "When there's a rule, there's a rule. And don't try to argue with me buddy."

But sweden when you're student ... wow !!
I've never had such a great student life before I got there.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

"Dang man, Sweden is kind of jacked... Why not change the Monarchy? That would help some of the problems, no? (not trying to derail this thread...)"
Only if you judge a whole nation on the opinion of a single person, and an early teenaged punk anarkist at that
So here comes my diagnosis of Australia, one that should not be taken as fully indicative, unless you wish to. It is simply the opinion of one autocratic individual

1.) The current government is the Liberal/National Coalition, who recently were reelected. They are nominally a conservative party, both socially and economically, although some would label them as a bunch of bleeding heart lefty communists.
(That happened at a recent party conference, where a heckler called ex PM Malcolm Fraser a Russian spy and a bloody socialist. This is about equivalent to calling an extremely right wing recent ex President a communist; I don't know which one, or which politician, but just sub in whoever you see fit.)
But, their ideological approach is mirrored by the other side of politics, the social democrat Labor Party, and the economic approach of both parties towards privatisation and deregulation has been farely similar.

Do I like what they are doing?
Not particularly, in many areas, such as higher education cuts, or how both parties have neglected defence. But they are still my liege lord, as such, so they get my loyalty as an Australian, as does our lovely head of state, Queen Elizabeth II. Overall, their approach does leave a lot to be desired, in terms of crime, defence, a robust foreign policy, instilling pride and belief in the nation, health, education, welfare, national development, the environment, and leadership. The nation needs strength and purpose as well as economic management, and the obsequisious bowing and scraping to certain neighbouring states. It needs a government and leadership in touch with what the people want, one that addresses their fears and concerns, and makes the continent unswaveringly proud and full of their strength and honour.

2.) The laws.
Drugs- All are effectively illegal, but a blind eye is turned towards their use in many circumstances, but there has been a general move towards a crackdown recently, as more crime results from drug addiction, amongst other causes.
Alcohol etc, after 18, but it is not effectively policed or enforced, and alcoholism and drug abuse such as petrol sniffing is rife among many Aboriginal communities in regional Australia.
Freedom of speech is present to the main extent, although David Irving isn't allowed to enter the country (good riddance to bad history) etc.
Civil rights are generally similar to the Western world in many respects, with womens rights fairly advanced, if not the full way to equality.
There is a big hubbub over Aboriginal rights, and reconciliation, and apologising for "invading" the country, and the subsequent implementation of a treaty involving land rights and possibly large amounts of monetary compensation. This has large support from the small l liberal part of the community, but likewise there is a lot of uncertainty from other parts.
There is some way to go towards equality for persons of non-hetero orientation, and this is a matter of contention in some circles, albeit on a lesser scale.
Civil rights are good, but I personally am not a hardcore civil libertarian, as I think there are certain situations which must be stopped and/or prevented. It comes down to what side of the individual/community rights divide ye come down upon- that for the individual person, or that for the people as a whole.

3.) Taxes are not as heavy as Sweden, but do hit those who work hard, with people who earn about 50 grand getting a sizable attack on their wages. The introduction of a 10% GST in 2000 didn't help either.
Personally, I've got nothing against taxation if we're getting results from it, but the present government is in love with cutting taxes and building surpluses, which is good from an economic viewpoint, but the hospitals, roads, schools, nursing homes and military deserve much more support, as well as national development.

4.) It is clearly capitalist, with neither party ever having been socialist. It is a mixed economy, but the public ownership of assets is eroding, resulting in nice share returns for investors, but bad regional telecommunications, 'public' transport and power problems in summers with a national electricity grid.

5.) Predominantly white Northern European in the ealry days, but has become far more diverse since WW2, with many other Europeans and other nationalities coming and making significant contributions. I don't know the specific numbers, and there are only a few hundred thousand Aboriginies. Immigration and race was a major part of the last election, and basically the party which played the race card won, showing that there is a huge undercurrent of fear in sectors of the community, put bluntly, the fear of being swamped by Asian migrant -the yellow peril.
It is a big throwback to the days of the White Australia Policy.
I personally don't think we are under any obligation to take in everything that washes up on our shores, especially of the illegal variety, who are falsely lured here by criminals, and operated their people trafficking with impunity out of Indonesia and Malaysia. IMO, they should be bought ashore, put in the camps, and addressed on a case by case basis, as long as this is logistically feasible. They can be confined in a humane manner, without letting them just waltz in. Those who stage riots and attack guards should be shot.

6.)There are many smaller problems -crime, defence, education, health, the state of the nation, spirit and pride, but they can be gathered together under the heading of lacking leadership and direction for the country and people as a whole. A vision is needed, of a country that is vibrant, proud, strong against any foe, prosporous and with a sense of greatly enhanced national honour. With a plan, a direction, the path can be set out upon, and the other problems addressed in turn.
More police, with more powers and community intelligence support.
Effective justice, with real deterent penalties, and non-corrupt prisons
Appropriate punishment for crime, that matches community attitudes, namely the reintroduction of the death penalty for appropriate offences, such as murder, rape, pedophilia, kidnappin, treason, etc.
As well as the stick, the carrot:
Look at the causes of crime in communities, and address them through funding, employment, education, support for families, and enhanced public awareness.
National service for the youth, not solely as military service but working in communities and on public works projects.
Put money back into education, so that students have access to the best resources, and the best candidates are attracted into teaching. Assign money and support to extra curricular activities for public schools, which have dropped off in the past decade due to reduced funding and various impasses.
Combat juvenile deliquency and truancy with a flexible program of response, education, vocational training and discipline.
Put money back into hospitals, so patients no longer lie in corridors for days, and casualty wards have only one or two nurses available. Cut the unnecessary bureaucracy/management, and build more hospitals overall. More service overall.
Ditto for the increasing priority of aged care.
Invest money in the military, instead of cutting ships and combat troops. Boost airforce from more than a handful of FA/18s and F111s to something appropriate to the worlds biggest island nation. Continue updates in line with RMA, but increase capability for external operations in a conventional sense such as East Timor. Enhance protection at nuclear facilities, and update contigency plans for the acquirement of such a device in dire, dire circumstances. By this, I mean the ability to acquire nuclear weapons for deterrent purposes if the country was directly threatened. Such plans already do exist, similar to what Swedish capabilities used to be (maybe still are?), but just push them forward a bit, so circumstances do not leave us behind unexpectedly.
Enhance ties to our Third World neighbours across the Tasman, and send emergency aid in the form of half a dozen cricketers, and a copy of "Janes All the Worlds Aircraft", so they can see whose airforce is flying above them, because it ain't their own . Eventual aim is to absorb our backward cousins, and use them as the isolated sheepinfested province of the Greater Australian Nation

The national spirit thing is a bit more empheral, so will go into length later,if there are any queries or interest. This really makes me look like a fascist, doesn't it?
(Ducks to avoid Eurocom rocks )

 

[Ebenezer1]

Anybody of my nation, so:

I live in Italy (sorry for bad English):

1) How would you classify your nation's government ideologically and do you like the way they are running things?

Extreme right wing, but our prime minister think to be moderated

2) What are the laws like in your country on things like: drugs, alcohol, freedom of speech, civil rights, civil liberties. Do you agree with these laws?

Drugs: soft drugs are allowed, if police bring you, you have only to pay a fine; hard drugs are forbidden

Alcohol: is free (fortunately), where I live wine is religion
Civil rights: if I understand what you mean, civil right are right, unless you speak about fascism or communism or else that concerne the last 70 years of story of Italy (this part of story is erased from every book of history in our country)

3) What is the federal tax rate in your nation? Do you think it is a good rate?

For low incomes is 0%, for big is about 70%, the problem is that middleclass (the great majority) is about 65%....

4) Would you clasify your nation's economic structure as capitalist or socialist

Capitalist, but our labors union have great power, for example it's impossible to fire anybody without right reason

5) What is the ethnic breakup within your country?

Great immigration from mediterranean area

6) What would you say is the biggest problem with your country today? What would you do to solve it?

ehehhehe if I have to list all the problem we have, you have to read until next century...

 

[Hamlet]

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
1) How would you classify your nation's government ideologically and do you like the way they are running things?

Centre-left. And no, I don't like a lot of things that they do, but I'm sure nobody has ever had a *perfect* government.

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
2) What are the laws like in your country on things like: drugs, alcohol, freedom of speech, civil rights, civil liberties. Do you agree with these laws?

Drugs is going towards a more relaxed approach, I daresay we'll have cannabis completely decriminalised in 10- 15 years, if not before. Civil rights are generally not bad, but they seem to be being eroded constantly, which pees me off.

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
3) What is the federal tax rate in your nation? Do you think it is a good rate?

I'm not sure exactly, although I'd say that it should be higher in some areas.

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
4) Would you clasify your nation's economic structure as capitalist or socialist?

Capitalist, although it is technically a mixed economy. It's leaning a lot more towards pure capitalism though than it was 20 years ago.

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
5) What is the ethnic breakup within your country?

Something like 93% white, I'm not sure of the breakup of ethnic minorities.

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz
6) What would you say is the biggest problem with your country today? What would you do to solve it?

Political ignorance and apathy would be two big ones. Not sure how i'd solve them though.

 

[.:KNAS:.]

the king has no authoroty in sweden, im not sure that he is allowed to vote even

 

[Mikoyan]

Originally posted by .:KNAS:.
the king has no authoroty in sweden, im not sure that he is allowed to vote even

And yet he gets 80,000,000 SEK every year, he is just a leech!

 

[animepornstar]

Originally posted by geake

wherever you go (I mean to the post office, to the bank, to the railway station to buy a train ticket) you have to pick up a "queue ticket" with a number on it.

And last but not least, a proverb I learned to accept in Sweden (quite difficult for french people I must say): "When there's a rule, there's a rule. And don't try to argue with me buddy."

yeah, we have to stand in a queue to get a queue ticket.:crazyeyes

and we have that don´t-break-the-rules-how-small-and-unnecessary-they-ever-are mentality, but that makes it even funnier to break them.

btw, where in sweden were you?

 

[andycapp]

Simon,

The Liberal/National Party coalition a bunch of "bleeding heart lefty communists"???

Maybe Pauline Hanson thinks they are.

And "our lovely head of state Queen Elizabeth II"???

Yeah, I know your tongue was firmly in your cheek, but didn't you feel just a little bit of nausea typing that?

I'm feeling tired and grumpy - time to go to bed - bloody umpires that don't know the LBW rule!

 

[kobayashi]

Originally posted by ApocalypseKurtz

1) How would you classify your nation's government ideologically and do you like the way they are running things?

2) What are the laws like in your country on things like: drugs, alcohol, freedom of speech, civil rights, civil liberties. Do you agree with these laws?

3) What is the federal tax rate in your nation? Do you think it is a good rate?

4) Would you clasify your nation's economic structure as capitalist or socialist?

5) What is the ethnic breakup within your country?

6) What would you say is the biggest problem with your country today? What would you do to solve it?

1) In theory politics follows the british system. The government is running things fine. They run everything. For instance, they even issue licenses for prostitution which are renewed weekly after a check up. The People's Action Party have run the country since the first elections and nobody trusts that the other parties have the skill to run the country. To be honest, the ruling party attracts all the best people and there are only a handful of opposition MPs. In fact the opposition parties make sure they do not contest for more the half the consituencies so there is no danger they will get into power. That way, at least somepeople vote for them.

2) Drug trafficking is punishable by death and there is no drug problem for 'heavy stuff'. I think Ecstacy type drugs are available in discos and that has not been erradicated, yet. There is a speaker's corner and there is freedom of speech. But if you attack the governing party without substantiation, they will get the best lawyers to sue your pants off (like a few opposition politicians found out). The government also requires that their replies to articles about Singapore be printed or else they will limit the distribution of your magazine.

To be honest, nobody cares about civil rights so there are no protest marches. I remember when I was a kid, pilots of Singapore Airlines held a strike and most of them were sacked on the spot. Most people (including me) think it serves them right to endanger the reputation of the national airline. Bubble gum is banned ever since some idiot stuck some on a subway door sensor and halted the national network for half a day. Coca-cola is not sold in schools to combat obesity.

3) The tax rate is a sliding scale and the majority of people do not pay tax as they do not get to even the bottom bracket. The max rate is 28% if I'm not mistaken. I am quite well to do and my own effective tax rate is about 12%.

4) Both.

5) 70% Chinese, 18% Malay, 8% Indian.

6) Every little aspect is micro managed perfectly. We have jumped from thrid world to developed in one generation and have a per capita GDP which is fourth or fifth in the world. For instance, you can drive in and out of a parking lot without stopping and money is automatically deducted from a cash card inside the car. All this makes people used to 'spoon feeding' by the government and there is no entreuprenurial spirit. For instance I cannot stand to see beggars, litter or grafitti when I visit other countries.

Another problem is we spend a quarter of the budget on defense to pay for our F-16s, stealth ships and god knows whatelse. But there is no way around that as there is a pressing need to deter potential aggressors.

The 'one party democracy' has worked well over the past three decades. The direction of the country has been focused and there has never been any of the problems associated with political bickering. However, I believe that it is only by luck that the ruling party detests corruption. We could have easily had a Marcos or Suharto instead of a Lee Kuan Yew.

 

[willemvanoranje]

1) We have a socialist-liberal government I'm satisfied with our government, however they should put a lot more money in education, health & care.

2) All soft-drugs are allowed to be used in so called coffey-shops, you are allowed to have 5 weedplants at home, more is forbidden. Beer is allowed from 16, heavier stuff from 18. Everyone has freedom of speech, nothing gets censored (not even rap music), only when the 'speech' is discriminating it getrs censored. No problems on civil rights and/or civil liberties. We are far more 'free' than an American citizen I think, except that it's forbidden to have a gun, and I agree on that.

3) We have a system, meaning that the % taxes you pay depends on ypur income: low income has 30%, mediocore has 50%, high has 60%. There's 19% taxes on goods.

4) Both. We are the inventors of the so called 'Poldermodel'!!!

5) 94% Dutch, 6% Turkish/Maroccan/Surinamese/Indonesian/etc.

6) Racism, especially against Maroccan people. The solution has to come from two sides though. Maroccan people should adapt more to the Dutch culture, but the Dutch should be more understanding.


See the difference between me and the other Dutch guy? He can't say PvdA is liberal!

 

[vonork]

I think we have had a bit to negative view of Sweden here. so hers a comet of mine.

About the police, well it don't bring you any confidence how the shooting have been handled, but the state television program "Uppdrag granskning" have at lest brought some light on the problem and helpfully it will be an real enquiry about that event.

And the taxes varies along 30-50 % low to high income and I don't mind high taxes. Cause they pay for the school and health care and more. We have had cutbacks in the service but it still beats any system of private insurance. However if we wanted more money to health and school it would just require an dismantle of the defence, no need for them now (and defiantly no need for them during the cold war).

Rules they are there to follow, but it won’t hurt to break a few to see if they do anything good of course

It's an nice country with its problems like any other country but still I think we got more on the good then bad. It is "Lagom"

 

[.:KNAS:.]

animepornstar, he was in uppsala

 

[Magnus]

a little evidence, courtesy of animepornstar

http://www.svt.se/granskning/video/2001/0814/gbg1.ram