Corona, its clearness and its attached lessons.

The first clarity that Corona shows is that we are vulnerable. In a number of case to vulnerable because people die from this disease.

There is no vaccin yet. As most vaccins it is only being developed when its there. So way to late [ Lesson.1 , Prepare as good as you can on matters that can occur. ]

If we think only about ourselves , which is being cultivated in the Western World , and if we do not fully comply in order to avoid infected and if we are infected going into isolation we have a huge problem. [ Lesson.2 , The individual is never more important that the group if we want to survive. ]

What is the best approach. Who can you trust The media? The politician?The experts? I thonk the last ones. The rest should just do everything to make things cear and get things done. So facilitate. [ Lesson.3 , Give the specialists space and force to act quickly and adequately. ]

The economic impact of a Lock Down and its consequences. It makes you realize what is really import and what you can do without. You consume only the most needed. That is mainly food and drinks. The rest is not that needed. Toilet paper? no need for it when you have a toilet shower. Also more hygienic. Lots of things you where thinking of buying you postpone. Or you realize there is actually no need for. It does not cost a thing to make walk. Talk to some other people. [ Lesson.4 , Importance of things are becoming clear. ]

The economic growth disappears behind the horizon. Companies are coming to a slow or even stop down. Some products and services are in a hard need , others less and some redundant. A nice opportunity to say goodbye to those. Also a shrink in the economy means a recovery and growth of our ecology.

Look for example to the clear waters of Venice at the moment. In this way the Agreement Of Paris is getting a chance. For sure there will be a decrease in CO2 and Nitrogen. [ Lesson.4 , Clarity of the things that are really important. ]

In times of drastic measures there hits for economical activities. Things are stopping and costs are being made. Wages need to be paid. Rents are owed. Activities need to be cancelled. Work needs to be done without getting income of it. On short the economical model is not in balance anymore. Financial support needs to be given. Questions is to whom and what. To companies or to people? [ Lesson.5 , What is fair and who deserves financial help. ]

Acute need is never within companies. That are only entities on paper with machines and their personnel. The last are people who really feel and observe. That in basis also the only group which should get acute help should be given. The best way to do that is to provide them with a Basic Income. At least for the period the crisis lasts. Companies are a sponge to absorb money and keep it for themselves. The drip down effect does not really work. Its is a fairytale told to and believed by most politicians. So give it directly to the people who feel the pain really. Let on advice from and with experts a new model function. Al least for the time being of the crisis. [ Lesson.6 , What is the best and simplest way of giving aid. ]

In situations like these also nice and explorative things happen with the use of new technologies. Working at home is in many situation working very good. The manager is getting a little nervous as he can see and feel that there is no real need for him. Schoolbuildings are empty. But teachers are not sitting still and are giving their lessons and instruction via internet. In many cases this works fine. A continuation of this saves classrooms. [ Lesson.7 , We are finding out that things can be done differently and better. ]

For our freedom it is not nice to get in this crisis situation. But it leads to some wise lessons. Those lessons we can than use to expand our freedom and realize again what is really important.

Borstlap and his advice.

And what are they talking about. So it concerns labour and the way in which we can arrange it economically and in a stable or consistent way. There have been written lots of articles about this report and that can be done easily. It concerns labour and our relations with it.

You can read the report , in Dutch by the way, on: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten/rapporten/2020/01/23/rapport-in-wat-voor-land-willen-wij-werken

It are quite a few pages and one thing shows. The faith , or religion you might say , in labour is at the centre. Apparently the happiness of peoples life consist of working. Without a job humans are lost. In order to please everybody with that we are doing anything and everything.

All kind of coherent measures which should be implemented in the coming years. A basic job. Stimulating fixed contracts. Flexible work should last shorter. The necessity for it should be made clear. A personal development budget everybody should get from their birth.

All kinds of measures that are very hard to implement. Even more harder to control. That all from a false perspective.

Labour is not at the centre of human wellbeing. For that feeling of wellbeing he should do something. No hunger and thirst , a roof above your head , helping other people and do nice social activities together however is key. If those nice social activities are covering more time than helping each other its even better.

From where the mindset comes that a job makes one happy is a mysterie to me. How many nice jobs are there even? There are lots of so called bullshit jobs. Who determines what is nice? The government or the companies who are going to create the jobs.

There is work that is not being done? If that work is that important you hould just give a good salary. Than it will be done and in no time. If the work was really life fulfilling it would have been done. Give people time , space and freedom and a lot of problems will solve themselves.

If you are forcing and regulating things problems will just occur. The same goes for basic job versus basic income. The first is creating problems and the second is solving them all.

Reliable politics.

You would expect inside a democracy it is always the case. But it clearly does not look that way. The citizen has to increase its effort to address their problems. Are the politicians really listening?? What is the status of trust between citizen and politics? Is the pasture where we live in taken good care of?

The allowances and their consequences are now in the spotlight of the political debate. How could this happen? What actually happened? How could it be? There could be made a few reports and or books on this subject.

Let me clarify how politics is dealing with it. Two members of parlement , without mentioning their name as everybody will know them ,did show themselves of their champion. They fullfilled their role , as a peoples representative , in perfect wau. If you look at the responsible politicians , the directly managing ones , are handling it I can only be amazed. Their managing inability and the way in which they deal with problems is just shocking.

The secretary of state went through some dust and made promises. The civil servants did hear but their disrespectful actions where in contradiction with it. The broken respect was a reason the secretary of state to quit with job.

For this reason the problem arrive at the desk of the minister. He stated directly that he needed more time to compensate everybody involved. Also he stated that to his knowledge there where no criminal offences made. That is like a butcher judging his own flesh and therefore not credible. There is an independent party being established to have a closer look at this.

This might sound good but there are few independent and objective parties and history did teach us that they hide more traces than bringing light. A criminal investigation , by the judiciary , seems better to me than just a party.

That allowances are very hard to perform and control is a truism. A good expert administrator would have never implemented this allowance system. But a politician has no problem to implement and bring such a system into society.

The culture in the ministry has been brought to the attention of change. It should be more human and social. But at this ministry the value of money is in the centre and that show its true face. Inside the ministry and also the government. The outside shows sometimes something different but the core is only about money and cutting. Nothing else.

Besides with allowance system the government shows its true face also on the social domain. The tasks and performing these have been moved to the parishes. The budget have been lowered because of the fairytale of efficiency that still is being believed in the country of cutting. Lots of parishes are because of financial problems in a cutting regime on all their responsibilities. Several are already on legal restraint from the province and there will probably follow lots more.

For the citizen it is becoming handy in which parish the best facilities are for his or her circumstances. The government has his duty of care for its citizens heavily neglected for the sake of a nice cutting operation. If I was a mayor I would have mobilized all other mayors for a demonstration at the Malieveld. At the same time , like Urgenda , I would have sued the government in the court of law.

When there is no trust anymore only a court of law can bring a fair outcome. The human climate is also an important climate.

Ego , our biggest enemy.

A new year so new chances. It can be but every day there are new chances. And not only every day but every moment there are new chances. And not only chances but also choices. Those choices are being made on the basis of what you think.

But what is your thinking really based upon? How do you make your choices. Based upon common sense? How you where raised by your parents? On what you have learned at school? The wisdom projected conscious and or subconscious by social media into your mind? Is the need to have more and more something from your inner self or is it created? Why makes buying something new feel you happy? Why is that feeling so short?

All interesting questions. Could it be that culture makes us that different. There are many differences in the cultures on the world. The Western culture has a high focus on the ego. More egoistic en materialistic than the Eastern culture and many others. It is not out of nothing that the capitalistic system with his materialism came forth from the Western culture.

A book that gives a good and clear view on and how the different cultures came to birth is How The World Thinks from Julian Baggini. A must read.

I am giving in short some of my thoughts. Just to stimulate to create thoughts by your self. Am I right? Am I crazy? If it does not agree with your own logic , your sensible mind , your feelings you do not have to believe me let alone follow me. Always keep a critical mind.

The ego needs appreciation. Also recognition. That is the reason why you are going to distinguish yourself from others. Train harder to be the best in sports. Follow an education that guarantees a good salary. Build a career and show you can drive a big expensive car. Living in a big house. Going on vacation a lot. Wearing nicer , read expensive , clothes than others do. You are going into an addiction of more , more and more expensive. That it is at the cost of something does not matter. Its a kind of an addiction like the use of cocaine. Its very nice and sometimes brings you into euphoria. It gives you an I Am On Top Of The World feeling.

But the feeling does not last. You have to do it again and again. The good feeling leaves and you get drawn into a circle of more and more. There is also an other form of happiness. A kind of happiness that comes from the feeling of belonging to a group. Being with others. Giving and receiving kindness. Listen to other people. Gain knowledge in that way. From there getting understanding resulting in respect. Solving problems with each other for each other. The ego cultivated in the western capitalistic as sublime is here rather a barrier than a blessing. The Eastern way of thinking with the philosophy and culture coming from that is very different. More balanced and brotherhood is there much more prominent.

It should not be a real surprise that with the birth of Jesus Christ the three wise men came from the East. It is high time that the wisdom from the East gets more attention. Who knows we might get finally a human world in which not more money , more power and more succes is the main achievement for people. The ego is something to become and function as an independent and assertive person in society. But it should be in balance with other essential virtues.

Farmers , riding on their tractors.

The agriculture did put themselves in the spotlight. On the Malieveld in The Hague even. A place specially dedicated for demonstrations. They showed their discontent how they are being looked and also by how the climate troubles is hanging a sword above their heads.

Cause of all this is the verdict by the Raad Van State looking at the nitrogin rules. The agrarian sector and in special livestock breeding is a major contributor in this. But there are other causers as well.

A clear and transparent picture is lacking. At the point of who is doing what there is not a with authority , so through and by objective experts with uniform and correct measurements , made report presented by the responsible minister at prime time to the people. Apparently this is to much asked for. So far the failing government and democracy.

The government also should for once have a look at their own name. To govern is to look ahead. Give and make a structure for the long term. At least there should be time to have a just return on investments. So offer a good vision where we are heading for.  Also a timely reaction instead of a decennia long ostrich behaviour.   Let a judicial authority come with a finding who is all responsible for this actual misdirection. Mark Rutte has , without a doubt , had the role of final responsible person. So that makes already one.

Looking at the livestock there where things going on of which I think: How in the hell can this be. Fishery with add of electric pulses was an experiment. The milk quotum was abolished. Nitrogen rulings have been made. Also the livestock is biggest contributor (/causer) of the CO2 problem. 

The last problem is known for decennia but by the “old” club of Diederik Samson , so Greenpeace ,  Het laatste probleem is al decennia bekend maar door de “oude” club van Diederik Samson , Greenpeace dus , deliberately not put on the agenda and so remained a “blind spot” for most people. If that was not the case the sector would have been on time to reform their business in a gradual way. That opportunity has not been taken.

The nitrogen rulings have been put aside by the government and ignored as long as possible. But now they have to react all of a sudden. Governing is not a last minute reaction but acting timely. Another negative point.

Phosphate rulings where already in the air for a long time. But they did not look up and so again a late reaction.

The milk quotum was abolished and so the “smart farmer” started milking abundantly and increased their livestock considerably. Not that they could increase their revenues. The supply and demand principle just lowered the price per liter. Nice for the countries who are importing it. The local farmer there just got it harder to make a living. Additional effect was that because of the phosphate rulings more than 100.000 cows could visit the slaughter house. If the cows are not giving enough milk anymore they go there anyway. The farmers can say that they love their cattle but there not many who walk down the last few meters with them and look them for the last time in the eye before they abruptly are slaughtered. 

Also I am curious if Carola Schouten or her predecessor was smart enough to send those cows that lived near the now so famous natura areas. I wonder.are nBen ook benieuwd of Carola Schouten of haar voorganger zo slim was om in ieder geval die koeien daar heen te sturen die in de buurt leefden van de nu zo bekende natura gebieden.

The fishery with add of electric pulses that as an experiment , so temporary and very small scale , was allowed by the European Union was in Holland implemented on a full scale and utilized. The VOC mentality is still fleeting here. If they can make money and business they are very capable. Let Thierry Baudet also make a you tube movie how we in that Grand Golden Age created the first plundering and exploiting multinational.

Coming back to the livestock business. Their slogan was No Formars No Food. As people we can react with No Subsidies No Farmers . I understand that they are doing their best and think they are doing the right thing for animals but that is not the whole and right story. They are exporting around 70% of what they are producing. So we are sitting in the “shit” because we are producing for others. We even put subsidies in it. Sponsoring more or less our own CO2 problem.

About the fact that food , for which nature mostly abroad is destroyed , is being given to livestock is a matter from which the world is not becoming a better place. From less or no meat people are really not getting worse. The world is however getting better from this. Now and in the future. Soon we all will have wet feet and there will be plenty of water. Salt water. Than there will not be any farmer anymore. The tractor will corroding and the alga will have found new grounds to grow.

Modern slavery , or how the mantra of work and work are making the rich richer.

Work and work is a mantra which you can hear echoing in almost in whole society. But why really? That is a really interesting question. Is it really necessary? For whom are we doing it? Wat happens with the work?

I will try to give an answer on this. At least put it in perspective. Subsequently you can think about it and maybe you will see where we actually did arrive.

Work is doing tasks for somebody , a person or a company , who gets something in return. A product which he can use or selling it through to somebody else. In the last case , selling to somebody else , he will make a profit. If he does it a little bit smart he (almost) does not have to work himselve.

The last people think often that they are the smartest. They try to let other people do all the work and give them the illusion that they are important. That they are creating jobs. That they are making products which are people making or giving a better life. A nice thought but mostly an illusion.

Products are via Marketing promoted as necessary. The work that is needed is being done in countries with the lowest wages in the cheapest countries. Quality is less because promotion of the product and label is key. You can only spend the money once so promoting the label is the best choice. Production is not being produced in self owned production facilities but outsourced to contractors at the lowest pricing. The making of profit , as high as possible , is the only thing that counts.

It are companies , actually merchants , and they parasitize on others. Their slaves. And those are many. The consumer via marketing. The politicians who let the people believe in the neo liberal fairytale. The countries who , incorrectly , assume that something will flow through to the regional economy. But production always moves to the lowest bidder. So for the worker , also just slaves, at the lowest wages that will occur in this ratrace.

It are the rich who cultivate the new form of slavery and by all means keep it alive. Lobbying is the modern word for subtle en cultivated bribery , blackmail and influencing via (multi) media. People are getting loads of information , true and not true , thrown at their faces. Numbed as they are they are not open anymore for critical thinking and acting. That is at least what the rich are trying to achieve and they are doing it rather well.

To be honest it are their greatest enemy. People who can think freely and critically. People who can realize that if they unite themselves they can achieve that wealth can be redistributed in a fair way. That humans will be put back in the centre again. That consuming for the sake of consuming is an unnecessary addiction. Brought into this world by merchants who are only thinking about making money. From products. From raw materials. From work. From labour. But is it needed. Do we really use it? Does it have to go this way. The modern slavery is an inhuman situation that we should put behind us as soon as possible.

The democracy through parlement does not make a stand. So high time that the democracy from the society , so the people , to put themselves at the forefront. Going to the barricades so to speak. 

The Climate agreement , and how politicians show who they really are.

The Dutch Climate agreement. It exists of 233 pages en contains all beautiful “management” words. Like goals, empty statements and references.

There are supporting , thinks on subsidies , streams of money made available for parties from which the consultant can profit in a nice smooth way. That these streams of money are being paid by the taxpayer is a story that also needs attention. Will save that one for another time.

What are the real things by which we can save the climate. In a manageable form ofcourse.  Are we going to do it sustainable? That does not mean that it is good for the ecology. Or acceptable for the citizens

The agreement has been settled by many different parties at different tables. Depending on the subject. The possible good outcomes are therefore negotiated to vague promises and intentions. The real experts are barely involved. Otherwise spear points who where pointed out now , hydrogen – biomass – circular agriculture , would have been treated different. *** The shortnoun OED ,  oppervlakte energie dichtheid / surface energy density , would have been mentioned in that case. This is together with the (electricity) network the basis to achieve something. If you do not know what that means. Do not have a vision on that. If you do not have a central , nation – and continental wide , coordination than you are doomed.

Politicians are looking on that point , so knowledge , guilty. But there is an other on which they are guilty. Except that we should do everything that really works , have a look at the book Drawdown by Paul Hawken , it should be clear that it is urgent as hell.

The politicians are still playing with the factor: Time. There is no time to waist and still they playing with it. It can wait for a while because the goals are only there in 2030 and 2050. The Climate Agreement from Paris and other agreements  are being use as a guideline. Time for meetings and bargaining with measures is already gone. Still that is what they are doing. Deliberately?? If they look in the mirror they will realize it. Looking at their faces and into their eyes it shows as well. Some are laughing it away and say it will be allright. It is almost the same as denying  it as some other politicians do.

Politics is a slowing and distorting factor in the problems we are facing. They should realize that in this way their role quickly could be played out. It is time that their (personal/party) interests should be put aside and serve the people.

The same goes for the NGO’s. Greenpeace for example puts Hydrogen in first place for solving the climate problem. But that is not the solution unless you are stupid. Just like the fact that they where realizing for decennia that intensive animal husbandry was the biggest climate problem. Deliberately they did not put it on the agenda. Their businessmodel is more important than to share the real knowledge and making it clear to the world. There are more of these NGO’s from which the real good NGO’s have to suffer. Their ego and exsistance are more important than mankind.

Being transparant and a not leading by ego ,  for organizations that is profit , is what makes parties serving the people on this planet. The humans should be put in the centre and only in that way they a right of existence and real legitimacy. If that is not going to happen and the people also really demand it it will become a nice world for only the selected few. When planet Earth is consumed they think there will be another planet within their reach. The nice things about planets is that they are not dying but only transforming. To the good or bad of the current nature on that planet.

A new beginning and (european) elections.

There are again elections. European elections. Elections mostly take place in a democracy. But what a democracy really consists of is not clear to most people. How the current democracy is working is also not clear. Is it really democratic?

In headlines there are two essential forces within a democracy. A representing and social/society force. They are both necessary and should be in balance.

The representing democracy is elected by citizens and the representatives are representing the people. They should by making and doing politics create a better city , township , province , country , Europe or world.

The societal democracy is being made by the citizens if it going correctly. At this moment that is not the case. Citizens should follow society in a critical way. Speak up. Organize themselves. Go into discussion with representatives. In a healthy democracy the political representatives are giving space for this. In time and possibilities. Adapting their opinion and policy when in an open and fair debate things are becoming clear.

The Yellow Vest can be considered as a wake up call for the critical sound. But the representing democracy has transformed itself into a party system with problem solving directors. There is a lack on openness , transparency and direct participation. They have already excluded the experts from the game. Although they are really necessary to come up with real and working solutions that need to be implemented.

It is time for the representing democracy to go back where they belong. Making politics , develop a vision and go into dialogue with the society and the world. Be transparant and honest. Removing the party system is an idea. The Eerste Kamer replacing by a citizens councel also. The Raad Van State could be restored into a new glory. Leaving the managing to adequate and good directors. Ministers not selected out of politicians but leave it to real experts.

Getting back to the title. A new beginning. This points to challenging things. Dearing to make changes. Listen to everybody and go into debate. And this again and again. Constantly giving a chance on a new beginning. Without it democracy will turn into an empty sleeve. A place where freedom is an illusion. If that happens there is still a right , the right of civil disobedience , by which we can demonstrate. Strike so things can be (temporarily) shut down. Even a revolution can be established. History teaches us that it is sometimes necessary.  Let we come it that far ?

We have to renew. Looking of where we would like to go. Our ideals. How can we really make the world better. This is what I miss in the current politics. Also in the European elections. They talk about issues but forget to put the facts underneath on the table. Also the structure to make actually the influence to change matter has not been made clear. Afraid for their power and positions probably. You loose your authority in that way.

The European Union is namely not so democratic. And also not transparant. The European Council is the only one who can introduce new Law. The Parlement , who has been elected now, can only say yes or no or ask for an amendment. The European Councel , consisting of the the prime ministers or minister of department from the countries , can go around the parlement. For instance look at the Turkey and Libia deal with regards to refugees. Not a nice example for democracy but arranged deals leading to violation of human rights , torture and death. In a just state with rule of law this would be condemned and punished. A court of law would have called this order but inside Europe that has not happened yet. Judicial institutions are being “kaltgestelt”? Inside the Council there is for all  participating states a veto right. A majority can therefore be block by a minority. Before we unite Europe any further there needs to be made many changes

Till that time we and the states need to be independent in such a way that we can easily disengage or engage the union and speak out. A no because we can not live with that.  And yes we are going to debate on that. That is something that always should be done. In the city , the Provence , the country , Europe and the United Nations. Amor Mundi is still my mindset.

Tell me it is not so. Tell me it is not true.

Sometimes you read a book that smashes some of your illusions. Like a kind of thief it steels the veil and shows you who the real villains are. Truths are being  back to the underworld of lies. But if you really want to say something in the discussion about immigration a Must Read. Including Geert , Thierry , Mark , Klaas and other immigration populists.

The title of that book is Nobody Wants Them , in Dutch Niemand Wil Ze Hebben , written by Linda Polman. It is about Europe and its refugees.

It is difficult to put thing in the right perspective. But I will try to point out a few matters that where clearly prominent. And also indicate where we should change things.

The reception of asylum seekers is not from recent times. Human values are not that important as they let us believe. The UNHCR is a begger from the UN. Just like many NGO’s. The UN always makes less means available  that is needed. The UN countries can also claim their own specific demands. Governments and politicians ignore in their battle against immigrants the human rights and therefore they are accessory to violating the human rights and tortures with death as consequence. Human values are being raped to serve political interests. Justice is needed here.

Heavy , depressing , tears shedding , sad , sick making , unbelievable  and more of the catastrophic words. They are all applicable. Inhumane is a word I do not dare to use because inhumane seems to be a normal human act. But is a heavy failure. It is also far from humankind. There is no kindness at all. Even animals don’t make such a mess in their kingdom.

The role of the NGO’s is not completely clear to me. Specifically the NGO’s have a certain aim and direction. They try via donations from individuals , companies and governments to realize their goals. But in the manner they are doing that and how they are being used has disadvantages.

On NGO’s and how they are aiding I wrote an article earlier. Not efficient  and no structured vision in short words. They are trying to be a global organization. That is better than the trend in the political parties in the many nation states. They do not see , or don’t wont to see , that the multinationals and that the big money already operate globally for a lonfg time. So you can not locally regulate and control that.

An united Europe or better an united world could do this better. The UN is the organization that should be playing that role. There is a lot of good will but the structure and the support from UN countries , or the lack of it , makes it that they are not able to really improve the world.

It seems like if the different UN countries , just like many people , have an ego. That ego is namely a big obstacle. Just as if the Alpha leader can arrange everything based upon power. If you look back in history with a good eye you will see that it does not work that way. Cross over that perception. If you want to cherish wealth than either you share it or defend your borders and be prepared to put people in camps and or kill them. The defending choice is popular right now. People are voting on the right side and populistic. They ease their conscious by giving a donation to a good cause or charity.

So you see that hypocrisy and ego are good friends. But not to mankind and the world.

Past , present and future.

In the present we can take action. It will result into a future. From the past we can see where earlier action did bring us.

Please take a moment. Or even a little more. What do you see? What do you think about it? Was it good? Was is bad? Where people foolish in their choices? Some people call this reflection. In a busy and hectic world it is maybe difficult to do. But it is essential. This in order to have a world that is in line with what you have in mind or dream of.

Thinking is one the most powerful tools that we as homo sapiens have. But for this we do need to have a clear mind. Know that some stories from the past are just stories. They have a purpose. Unite people in such a way that it can move to a certain direction.

Which stories are being written right now. And if these stories are written are they being passed on by the right and or left side. For example by artificial intelligence and genetics. Technical developments are going that fast it is hard to keep up with by mankind.

What is the vision of the politicians. In the past they thought about it. But due to a free market in a big world there is not really control by them anymore. They are just trying to manage things the best way they can. But in the future they could and probably will be surpassed by algorithms.

Computers with algorithms , like Watson from IBM , will have more benefits than a normal doctor or politician or you name it. Artificial Intelligence might surpass us. Integrate in people’s life in all kind of ways.

It might create a huge amount of “useless” people. Which current politician or political party has a vision on that. If so it is a global development so are we even able to control it.  The time do it is now. We can not get by with politics without a vision and without a clear eye on future possibilities.

Focusing and solving only the day to day problems and issues only means that the past did not do what it needed to do. Have a vision or a dream and act accordingly. Being silent on this means that you prefer to sleep and do not mind what your eyes might see when they open. It is a choice. But is not yours. Can you complain? Yes. Do you have a right to do so? Not really.

You have to relax and think for yourself what you want and what is the best way to react. A wise vote. Public disobedience. On the barricades. There are more possibilities than you think.