Posted on 08/02/2010 5:52:56 AM PDT by Ayn And Milton
The weekend brought highly interesting developoments in the attempts at forming a new Dutch government ('cabinet', officially our 'goverment' equals 'cabinet + Sovereign').
After Labour leader Cohen rejected several options to make a cabinet with the christian-democrats, the CDA, the potential rightwing partners made a new attempt. As it stands, the VVD (resembling the U.S. Republicans, although they call themselves 'liberal' over here), the CDA, and the PVV, led by Geert Wilders, struck a new deal for the eventual real forming of a cabinet. CDA and VVD provisionally agreed to take place in a minority government, whilst Wilders announced that he is willing to lend support on major issues with his PVV to this mini-cabinet. This particular construction is agreeable to the CDA, in so far as that on religious matters they don't have to formally compromise with the PVV directly. Wilders just may say 'yes' or 'no' to proposed changes in our laws.
It is a unique construct in Dutch politics, in as much as that Wilders will in all probability become factually the most important person in many delicate issues; and yet he's no 'dictator' at all (the two parties in governent can end the collaboration at any point in time they choose fit).
So, it is guaranteed that the will of the people will find proper expression, even if the decisions may seem politically incorrect, so to speak.
(I hope I could explain a couple of issues on a highly complicated matter. All kinds of comments are welcome, of course; and I'd be very happy if fellow Dutch Freepers would chime in too.)
I think it is fantastic that this is a development towards a rightwing cabinet. It is HIGH time that the left be put out to pasture. They have done so incredibly much damage with their socialist efforts.
I really hope it’s a sign of things to come here in the US as well. It took the Dutch decades of overcoming the left, hopefully a shift to the right will come much, much sooner here in the US.
I am reading in the Volkskrant newspaper that the left is miffed. Cohen, Halsema, they are all whining. Compare them to Reid, Pelosi et al.
Time to right the Dutch ship!!!!
Yep, it is a semantic issue, but more that something for students. It leads to much misunderstanding. The Reps are true liberals, but since the term is applied to the Dems, it’s signifying nothing, sadly.
I always have to explain the differences to Dutch friends. To worsen things, the term ‘libertarianism’ has crept in in Holland, with people who are liberals at heart.
We say: ‘we zien door de bomen het bos niet meer’, i.e. ‘we can’t see the forest anymore because of all those trees’.
The matter is quite simple. It’s time the epitheton ‘liberal’ reverts to the real freedom-lovers. And it’s also time that ‘libertarians’ is used exclusively for those who (IMHO) deserve it: followers of Ayn Rand, and certain schools of economic thought.
Great call, thank you!
The next big thing will be who gets the various cabinet positions. Wilders will want conservatives to be in charge of immigration, police and military, and that will be the next big political battle.
OK I need to grant you that. The CDA is not particularly known for its in-depth-honesty, they’re primal lust is that for power at all costs.
The primary objective of the right-wing parties should be to have the votes in the next election to govern without CDA. Since that will mean CDA fading into irrelevance, the people who benefit from CDA power will view the Right as their primary enemies, and the Left as people they can work with and who will toss them some bones when they are in power. This is the dynamic that American RINOs operate from.
I have to say I was surprised that CDA is even a part of this coalition. Balkenende and his party took a real beating in the last election. That they are even allowed to sit at the table is perplexing.
And yes, for sure they cannot be trusted.
The CDA lost a lot of seats, but they still provide the necessary margin to create a governing coalition, provided Geert Wilders provides support. It’s still going to be a very shaky coalition.
After Labour leader Cohen rejected several options to make a cabinet with the christian-democrats, the CDA, the potential rightwing partners made a new attempt. As it stands, the VVD (resembling the U.S. Republicans, although they call themselves 'liberal' over here), the CDA, and the PVV, led by Geert Wilders, struck a new deal for the eventual real forming of a cabinet. CDA and VVD provisionally agreed to take place in a minority government, whilst Wilders announced that he is willing to lend support on major issues with his PVV to this mini-cabinet. This particular construction is agreeable to the CDA, in so far as that on religious matters they don't have to formally compromise with the PVV directly. Wilders just may say 'yes' or 'no' to proposed changes in our laws. It is a unique construct in Dutch politics, in as much as that Wilders will in all probability become factually the most important person in many delicate issues
You are right, hut how to change it? It would be interesting if Republican candidates declared that they are liberals.
Good! A wonderful thought experiment. Now, I don’t know whether Dems frequently describe themselves as ‘liberals’. If not, Reps could make the attempt to claim the term for themselves. After all, the Latin ‘liber’ means ‘free’, in the most basic sense (i.e. the opposite of ‘captive’).
‘s Funny: Latin ‘sinister’ means ‘left’, but also ‘dark, untrustworthy’. Wheras ‘dexter’ means ‘right’, and ‘clear, smart, capable, inventive’.
The Romans knew their stuff...
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