Comments on: Meltdown in Iceland: Free-falling from the Top of the World http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:00:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Rev. José M. Tirado http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29628 Rev. José M. Tirado Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:38:45 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29628 Bryan, I am so pleased that you got the Laxness reference. You are 100% right--there was tremendous pathos in that novel and a huge amount of humor as well that is missed by most who read it. Both views--proud and fiercely independent versus fatuously self-important and unrealistically stubborn--co-exist here and in that book. While Iceland is often described as the US of the Scandinavian countries (because of what you saw as a fawning devotion to neolib principles) there remains alot here that I regard as infinitely better than in the States: free health care, safe streets, a warm, if reserved people, clean air and drinkably pure tap water, etc., that make the better parts of Scandinavian socialism apparent. However, there are politicians (The Independence Party gets the most of the blame here) who have wanted to sell off the country´s landscape (depending upon cumbersome aluminum plants, for ex.) and other resources in a bid to become more like the US. Another positive thing here, though, is a vigorous opposition (the Green-Left Alliance and the Social Democrats) which have tempered the excesses the Independence Party have advocated. I allude to this in my article. As for "thousands in poverty" I think some care is in order here. With 80+% of the population in unions and free health care along with the abovementioned atmosphere of safety and, food given to kids at school (I have 3 in school here) makes what we call in the US poverty a very different thing here. But yes, there are big flaws to the way things are run here and they could be better. I recommend that in the article and am hopeful people will advocate for change on a greater than glacial pace. Bryan,
I am so pleased that you got the Laxness reference. You are 100% right–there was tremendous pathos in that novel and a huge amount of humor as well that is missed by most who read it. Both views–proud and fiercely independent versus fatuously self-important and unrealistically stubborn–co-exist here and in that book.

While Iceland is often described as the US of the Scandinavian countries (because of what you saw as a fawning devotion to neolib principles) there remains alot here that I regard as infinitely better than in the States: free health care, safe streets, a warm, if reserved people, clean air and drinkably pure tap water, etc., that make the better parts of Scandinavian socialism apparent.

However, there are politicians (The Independence Party gets the most of the blame here) who have wanted to sell off the country´s landscape (depending upon cumbersome aluminum plants, for ex.) and other resources in a bid to become more like the US. Another positive thing here, though, is a vigorous opposition (the Green-Left Alliance and the Social Democrats) which have tempered the excesses the Independence Party have advocated. I allude to this in my article.

As for “thousands in poverty” I think some care is in order here. With 80+% of the population in unions and free health care along with the abovementioned atmosphere of safety and, food given to kids at school (I have 3 in school here) makes what we call in the US poverty a very different thing here. But yes, there are big flaws to the way things are run here and they could be better. I recommend that in the article and am hopeful people will advocate for change on a greater than glacial pace.

]]> By: Rick http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29618 Rick Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:07:40 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29618 On the subject of Iceland, this is interesting too, also be ready for "United Arab Emirtes": January 6th 2007 In Iceland, which is one of the richest countries of the world, thousands of families live under the poverty line. Children go hungry to schools, and the people do not have enough clothes to protect themselves from the harsh winters of the country. Students drop out of school because of poverty. In this country a small minority is getting richer, while the majority are becoming poorer. (From a report by BBC News, December 29th, 2006). Lack of opportunity, lay-offs and growing unemployment – the un-curable diseases of capitalism – are the main causes of poverty. If life is miserable for many in Iceland, a Scandinavian country with the 7th highest GDP per capita in the world and only a population of 250’000, there isn’t any hope to have a decent and prosperous life in the other parts of the world under capitalism! http://democracyandsocialism.com/InBrief.html On the subject of Iceland, this is interesting too, also be ready for “United Arab Emirtes”:

January 6th 2007
In Iceland, which is one of the richest countries of the world, thousands of families live under the poverty line. Children go hungry to schools, and the people do not have enough clothes to protect themselves from the harsh winters of the country. Students drop out of school because of poverty. In this country a small minority is getting richer, while the majority are becoming poorer. (From a report by BBC News, December 29th, 2006).

Lack of opportunity, lay-offs and growing unemployment – the un-curable diseases of capitalism – are the main causes of poverty.

If life is miserable for many in Iceland, a Scandinavian country with the 7th highest GDP per capita in the world and only a population of 250’000, there isn’t any hope to have a decent and prosperous life in the other parts of the world under capitalism!
http://democracyandsocialism.com/InBrief.html

]]> By: lichen http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29616 lichen Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:57:11 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29616 Iceland should be from the EU, IMF, and freidmanite scumbags of this world; I really hope that their quality of life won't be destroyed by 'austerity measures.' Iceland should be from the EU, IMF, and freidmanite scumbags of this world; I really hope that their quality of life won’t be destroyed by ‘austerity measures.’

]]> By: Fade Dude http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29614 Fade Dude Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:25:41 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29614 As an occassional visitor I asked myself 'how does this work, what's holding it up?' Now we know, it was the Brits giving them unlimited credit cards. Who's the greater fool? Fade As an occassional visitor I asked myself ‘how does this work, what’s holding it up?’ Now we know, it was the Brits giving them unlimited credit cards. Who’s the greater fool?

Fade

]]> By: Rev. José M. Tirado http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29609 Rev. José M. Tirado Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:01:03 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29609 Balkas, You are most welcome to not read--or comment--on anything I write. Best, José Balkas,
You are most welcome to not read–or comment–on anything I write.
Best,
José

]]> By: bozhidar bob balkas http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29607 bozhidar bob balkas Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:33:10 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29607 tirado, wld u please drop the label "reverend". i am not going to read anything written by a bishop, monsignor, archbishop, cardinal, pope, or any reverend. let's be equal. or equally vbalued. thnx tirado,
wld u please drop the label “reverend”. i am not going to read anything written by a bishop, monsignor, archbishop, cardinal, pope, or any reverend.
let’s be equal. or equally vbalued. thnx

]]> By: Bryan Bjerring http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29604 Bryan Bjerring Sat, 11 Oct 2008 17:19:52 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29604 The interlake region of the Canadian province of Manitoba was settled by Icelanders beginning in 1875. Thousands of people of Icelandic decent now live here -- and annually celebrate their ethnic origins on Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Day) on the August long weekend. Two years ago the Prime Minister of Iceland addressed a gathering at that celebration in which he extolled deregulation and the neo-liberal course Iceland had taken and which had brought such prosperity to the country. I concluded that I was listening to George W (Ronald Reagan, Allan Greenspan, Milton Freedman, take your pick) of the North Atlantic. Iceland's current predicament was a foregone conclusion. I fear that, like the rest of the world which bought the neo-liberal line, far worse days are ahead -- except,of course, for the uber-rich robber barons of our generation. There is an alternative interpretation of Laxness' 'Independent People' -- it was satarizing that 'proud' but somewhat overblown self understanding, given the squallid living conditions the novel portrayed. Perhaps Iceland is about to live out "Independent People' again, current conditions perhaps not squalled but certainly desperate. The interlake region of the Canadian province of Manitoba was settled by Icelanders beginning in 1875. Thousands of people of Icelandic decent now live here — and annually celebrate their ethnic origins on Islendingadagurinn (Icelandic Day) on the August long weekend. Two years ago the Prime Minister of Iceland addressed a gathering at that celebration in which he extolled deregulation and the neo-liberal course Iceland had taken and which had brought such prosperity to the country. I concluded that I was listening to George W (Ronald Reagan, Allan Greenspan, Milton Freedman, take your pick) of the North Atlantic. Iceland’s current predicament was a foregone conclusion. I fear that, like the rest of the world which bought the neo-liberal line, far worse days are ahead — except,of course, for the uber-rich robber barons of our generation.

There is an alternative interpretation of Laxness’ ‘Independent People’ — it was satarizing that ‘proud’ but somewhat overblown self understanding, given the squallid living conditions the novel portrayed. Perhaps Iceland is about to live out “Independent People’ again, current conditions perhaps not squalled but certainly desperate.

]]> By: Rev. José M. Tirado http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29600 Rev. José M. Tirado Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:24:18 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29600 Michael, The unions here (over 80% of the people are in unions) have, along with the fishing interests, among others (like the Left) opposed EU membership on a number of grounds. But this is one of the things being discussed as we speak and my guess is they will join the EU, although if so, it´s probably take a year or two´s negotiations. Iceland however is not negotiating from a position of stability, let alone, strength so they may be forced to accept terms that will hardly benefit them in a number of areas. Events are changing constantly (like the attempt to borrow money from Russia) so all this might be moot in a week but the odds do favor eventual EU entry and adoption of the Euro. Michael,
The unions here (over 80% of the people are in unions) have, along with the fishing interests, among others (like the Left) opposed EU membership on a number of grounds. But this is one of the things being discussed as we speak and my guess is they will join the EU, although if so, it´s probably take a year or two´s negotiations. Iceland however is not negotiating from a position of stability, let alone, strength so they may be forced to accept terms that will hardly benefit them in a number of areas. Events are changing constantly (like the attempt to borrow money from Russia) so all this might be moot in a week but the odds do favor eventual EU entry and adoption of the Euro.

]]> By: Michael Kenny http://www.dissidentvoice.org/2008/10/iceland%e2%80%99s-fall-from-the-top-of-the-world/#comment-29599 Michael Kenny Sat, 11 Oct 2008 15:14:58 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=3825#comment-29599 What Iceland may well try in EU membership! Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) which is an adjunct of the EU in the form of a treaty between the 27 Member States and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Basically, they have all the disadvantges of EU membership without any of the advantages. That's why the British have been able to treat them in such a cavalier fashion. They would never have dared do that to another EU Member State. In a similar way, Germany went after Liechtenstein a few months ago over tax fraud. And of course, we saw what happened to Serbia over Kosovo. Moral of the story: no salvation outside the EU! What Iceland may well try in EU membership! Iceland is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) which is an adjunct of the EU in the form of a treaty between the 27 Member States and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Basically, they have all the disadvantges of EU membership without any of the advantages. That’s why the British have been able to treat them in such a cavalier fashion. They would never have dared do that to another EU Member State.

In a similar way, Germany went after Liechtenstein a few months ago over tax fraud. And of course, we saw what happened to Serbia over Kosovo.

Moral of the story: no salvation outside the EU!

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