tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post3038969711066797627..comments2023-11-05T09:55:13.077+02:00Comments on Itching for Eestimaa: ligiGiustinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-32860195940797852202010-06-16T14:52:55.010+03:002010-06-16T14:52:55.010+03:00In the interest of better understanding I post her...In the interest of better understanding I post hereby the Google translation of the sage comment above:<br /><br />" Self-tuning girls maid couple exchanged Valentine's thigh all night as toot toot teach Jize Ming-step color pictures comrades nightclubs in Taipei, Taichung Taiwan, Taiwan's gay nightclub ki Love-Ru bump abuse Touch of Zen free lesbian movie free free pictures maid Free Free Animations Free Comrade yellow color film free free free posted video dv free online-qq the United States and the United States who h prime Novels jp hot mom hot mom breast feeding yellow pictorial collection of online maps Lai Kaohsiung Area nightclub beauties video kk Western fiction movies online Abin Abin Sex and the Penglai mountains live beautiful color film color film in self-defense the United States U.S. sex online watch online animation network prime factors of people who shoot video online Daquan"<br /><br />If and when Giustino removes it this will hopefully remain for the posterity!stockholm slenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16909107517362691387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-78358571640581441912010-06-15T11:04:27.368+03:002010-06-15T11:04:27.368+03:00@ Mart:
Temesta, did you notice the state that th...@ Mart:<br /><br /><i>Temesta, did you notice the state that the financial market was in back when we would have needed the loan? A point of reference would be that the interest rates for Lithuanian government bonds at 2009 were around 15%.<br /><br />Of course, as you rightly point out Estonia could have afforded it - but at a price of multiplying the national debt. I for one believe that a right choice was made.</i><br /><br />If Estonia would be more generous to its unemployed (certainly the ones who cannot count on the support of family or friends) in times of crisis, I would agree that it was the best strategy.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-22481302890532352932010-06-15T10:33:22.739+03:002010-06-15T10:33:22.739+03:00I was away for the weekend, but here's some ad...I was away for the weekend, but here's some additional answers.<br /><br />moevenort, when I replied that the numbers are from 2005, then I meant that I have actually read the OECD report and the figure of "12,5% of GDP" is referenced in the report as a figure from the year 2005.<br /><br />Temesta, did you notice the state that the financial market was in back when we would have needed the loan? A point of reference would be that the interest rates for Lithuanian government bonds at 2009 were around 15%.<br /><br />Of course, as you rightly point out Estonia could have afforded it - but at a price of multiplying the national debt. I for one believe that a right choice was made.Marthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02497407025282383128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-60427435892726370982010-06-15T07:12:38.374+03:002010-06-15T07:12:38.374+03:00So it was you all along, Andy? Thanks for straiten...So it was you all along, Andy? Thanks for straitening that one out. Now go and seek attention elsewhere, you talantless dog.Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-360649963298435392010-06-14T22:53:59.366+03:002010-06-14T22:53:59.366+03:00Always glad to oblige, my friend. First I destroy...Always glad to oblige, my friend. First I destroy your day and then I make it. Looks like I am offering a full buffet of human emotions, piggybacking on some poor dudes semi-serious blog. My cuckoo's nest.<br /><br />I changed my name to Piimapukk yesterday. Can't explain it why. I was strangely inspired by the piece I heard on ooylikool program about the things that are gone forever and all we have left are fond memories.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-31639915251587242332010-06-14T21:37:45.717+03:002010-06-14T21:37:45.717+03:00You may have a point there, piimapukk. Thanks for ...You may have a point there, piimapukk. Thanks for saving/making my day.Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-44549012723593842972010-06-14T21:26:55.492+03:002010-06-14T21:26:55.492+03:00Ramblings? More like Andy Kaufmanesque stand-up c...Ramblings? More like Andy Kaufmanesque stand-up comedy quips, I'd like to think.<br /><br />Read them and hear a snare drum and cymbal crash after each one. <br /><br />And loud boos, of course.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-6037399016728224412010-06-14T19:17:24.258+03:002010-06-14T19:17:24.258+03:00"Most everyone in Estonia has an advanced deg..."Most everyone in Estonia has an advanced degree in rehepapplus"<br /><br />Pay no attention to Brüno's nihilist ramblings - the man can't even spell "rehepaplus" correctly.Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-3817228092621712892010-06-14T01:18:03.940+03:002010-06-14T01:18:03.940+03:00who is Rainer Sternfeld?who is Rainer Sternfeld?moevenorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18292577520959729452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-81312041128932101132010-06-13T20:55:27.151+03:002010-06-13T20:55:27.151+03:00That is true. Most everyone in Estonia has an adv...That is true. Most everyone in Estonia has an advanced degree in rehepapplus. A form of project management.<br /><br />Everyone is Rainer Sternfeld.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-12887598906630037902010-06-13T17:29:52.620+03:002010-06-13T17:29:52.620+03:00@Giustino
I dont know in what circles you move bu...@Giustino<br /><br />I dont know in what circles you move but i have the feeling that everyone in Estonia is a IT-wizard, business manager or has a degree in something :D<br /><br />@Temesta<br /><br />I would rather see Estonia make top 5 in this list: http://www.popularsomething.com/2010/02/worlds-freest-economies-of-2010.htmlMcMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01864600804688440880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-44251873163616431782010-06-12T15:20:31.252+03:002010-06-12T15:20:31.252+03:00"finally it is a real discussion about differ..."finally it is a real discussion about different conceptions now."<br /><br />What ever gave you the impression that there is no political discussion in Estonia in the first place?! This is what it's like all the time. Maybe your experience was somewhat limited and nonpresentable. Have you ever considered that?Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-42829404257936639862010-06-12T15:18:45.101+03:002010-06-12T15:18:45.101+03:00Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-67631138349600511032010-06-11T23:03:59.210+03:002010-06-11T23:03:59.210+03:00I like the level of discussion that has developed ...I like the level of discussion that has developed around that post. finally it is a real discussion about different conceptions now.moevenorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18292577520959729452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-54139155543918788362010-06-11T18:06:07.498+03:002010-06-11T18:06:07.498+03:00Justin, those construction contractors are the one...Justin, those construction contractors are the ones who do most of the voting. They are a clear majority in Estonia, although mostly a quite silent one. Those people just don't know better. Their intelligence level is hindering them to think beyond "Reform promises us money to buy a new LCD screen/Lexus/sauna, awesome!". Or if they're a poorer, "Keskerakond promises me 500 kroons". People from universities etc are stuck-up "linnavurled" to them. A true Estonian stays in his isolated home, drinks beer, watches Suvereporter and doesn't give a fuck about how his neighbour or the society in general is doing.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076822279861048442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-11997742862546834942010-06-11T16:26:23.394+03:002010-06-11T16:26:23.394+03:00Here you have the The Global Competitiveness Repor...Here you have the The Global Competitiveness Report 2009-2010:<br /><br />http://www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/Global%20Competitiveness%20Report/index.htm<br /><br />Six countries from the top ten have social welfare states.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-31922202871705778622010-06-11T16:05:43.333+03:002010-06-11T16:05:43.333+03:00The main point on the agenda of Estonias .gov shou...<i>The main point on the agenda of Estonias .gov should be improving competitiveness. Attract and create business. What the leftist bleeding hearts don't understand is that by creating a social welfare, high tax society will do exactly the opposite.</i> <br /><br />The countries with the biggest social welfare systems are also among the most prosperous countries in the world, why wouldn't that be possible for Estonia?<br />Do you think Sweden has an underdeveloped and uncompetitive economy? Germany, a country with high taxes and big social welfare system is currently one of the most competitive economies in Europe and the world.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-83721574014712033342010-06-11T15:33:49.689+03:002010-06-11T15:33:49.689+03:00The main point on the agenda of Estonias .gov shou...<i>The main point on the agenda of Estonias .gov should be improving competitiveness. Attract and create business. What the leftist bleeding hearts don't understand is that by creating a social welfare, high tax society will do exactly the opposite.</i> <br /><br />Just to add a few words here, from personal experience, a major limit to the development of the Estonian economy is a low-skilled labor force. Most of the men (and women) I know among family and friends aren't really qualified to do much of anything other than construction/contracting type work. Those who haven't gone down that route in general became teachers, another thankless job, but at least with some social benefits. Estonia needs really strong trade schools and schools for adults to learn new skills so that it can attract that foreign investment. Is that 'social welfare' to invest in institutions that will eventually create jobs? Isn't the presence of quality adult education programs and strong trade schools one of the bright spots of the Nordic system? Because being a nation of contractors and electricians and cabinet makers is fine -- when everyone wants to give their new house an upgrade. But when that's over? What next? By the way, I don't want to denigrate the work of these men and women -- I just know that they often struggle to find work. It's hard to find a job when there is limited demand for the only thing you know how to do. And it's amazing how the universities have to go around begging for money just to produce new classes of professionals that keep big foreign employers like Playtech stocked with IT talent. Even Estonia's pride, its genome project, is funded by the EU because the whole 'market forces' idea fizzled when the investors and the academics didn't see eye to eye. They had to go with hat and hand to the EU social democratic slush fund to stay online. But that's a good investment. With access to all those samples and a good infrastructure and, of course, a well educated staff, big pharma will eventually come sniffing around. Those are the types of jobs you want. You don't want to get stuck up "euro remont" creek without a paddle, know what I mean?Giustinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-38104692516030879522010-06-11T13:16:53.567+03:002010-06-11T13:16:53.567+03:00The job losses were a result of the deflating hous...<i>The job losses were a result of the deflating housing bubble, which was fueled by easy loans by lax Swedish owned banks. I don't think it would have been wise for the government to borrow to prop up the bloated construction industry</i><br /><br />It's not about propping up the construction industry. Government lowered wages, cut the budget of departments. This lowered domestic demand even more, hitting companies that otherwise could have survived or would not have to lay off so much people.<br />You can have companies that work completely healthy also during the boom times and companies that are not, like many construction companies. Not all companies that go bankrupt are 'badly managed companies', certainly not in times of crisis. They are just the victims of their costumers not having enough money anymore.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-2917955482978538082010-06-11T02:12:16.690+03:002010-06-11T02:12:16.690+03:00Temesta ütles...
I am not saying that Estonia...<i> Temesta ütles...<br /><br /> I am not saying that Estonia should have let its deficit go completely out of control, but a bit less fanaticism in cutting the budget would have prevented the loss of thousands of jobs.</i><br /><br />The job losses were a result of the deflating housing bubble, which was fueled by easy loans by lax Swedish owned banks. I don't think it would have been wise for the government to borrow to prop up the bloated construction industrymartintghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16840407742014556024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-27139572607062499422010-06-10T16:36:40.510+03:002010-06-10T16:36:40.510+03:00The ultimate thing that nations need to do is to c...The ultimate thing that nations need to do is to collectively outlaw the ursury - the interest.<br /><br />Interest is the root cause of all evil.<br /><br />Everything else is a merely a symptom.<br /><br />It is pointless to fight with the symptoms.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-37228286436071592172010-06-10T16:14:15.532+03:002010-06-10T16:14:15.532+03:00I was missing an answer to Temesta from yesterday....<i>I was missing an answer to Temesta from yesterday.<br /><br />I hope that you are not under an impression that the central government reserves have gone unused. We have already burned through half of the liquidity reserve (well over 5 billion).<br /><br />As for taking out a loan, that would have been theoretically possible. <b>The terms</b> for such a loan, however, would have been most unfavourable (either including considerable spending cuts, such as we are doing anyway, or terrible interest rates).</i><br /><br />I am not talking about a loan from the IMF or some other institution but about loans from the financial markets. The only conditions they set are the interest rates, which do not have be necessarily terribly high. Lithuania last year and also probably this year had/has to finance deficits of about 8% of GDP (their initial deficit was much higher). Their economy is in a worse condition than the Estonian one, but the interest rates they have to pay are lower than Hungary's of Greece's.<br />I am not saying that Estonia should have let its deficit go completely out of control, but a bit less fanaticism in cutting the budget would have prevented the loss of thousands of jobs.<br /><br />My problem with the chosen policy is:<br /><br />1. The government knew that this strategy would increase unemployment.<br />2. Unemployment benefits in Estonia are very limited in time, and afterwards you only receive about 1000 Kroons a month. How can you pay rent, buy food, ... from this? 40% percent of the Estonian unemployed are now longterm unemployed, so they live from 1000 Kroons a month.<br /><br />The government consciously pushed people into poverty, while there were strategies available to soften the misery caused by the crisis.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-2312485228023138802010-06-10T13:30:47.119+03:002010-06-10T13:30:47.119+03:00@ Mart: According to my knowledge the OECD numbers...@ Mart: According to my knowledge the OECD numbers I was quoting are from 2010. Like this it is also mentioned in the article of the Austrian Newspaper "Der Standard" . The figures seem to be from the MAy 2010 OECD report "OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Estonia 2010". Here an exerpt from the OECD press release: "Estonia, already hard hit by the worldwide recession, faces a serious challenge in the form of rising poverty among unemployed people and pensioners. The government needs urgently to find ways to stave off major hardship, according to a new OECD report. OECD Review of Labour Market and Social Policies: Estonia says that over 60% of unemployed people and over 40% of pensioners live in poverty, based on the standard OECD measure of people earning 60% of the national median income. (...)<br />Ensuring a fair and equitable society for all is a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth,” OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said. “As the economy picks up, the government should do as much as possible to help the most disadvantaged.” "<br /><br />source: http://www.oecd.org/document/13/0,3343,en_2649_37419_45159245_1_1_1_1,00.htmlmoevenorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18292577520959729452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-40118147480061731672010-06-10T11:57:54.425+03:002010-06-10T11:57:54.425+03:00I was missing an answer to Temesta from yesterday....I was missing an answer to Temesta from yesterday.<br /><br />I hope that you are not under an impression that the central government reserves have gone unused. We have already burned through half of the liquidity reserve (well over 5 billion).<br /><br />As for taking out a loan, that would have been theoretically possible. The terms for such a loan, however, would have been most unfavourable (either including considerable spending cuts, such as we are doing anyway, or terrible interest rates).Marthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02497407025282383128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-51279190398226815962010-06-10T11:24:48.164+03:002010-06-10T11:24:48.164+03:00moevenort, it would be fair to point out that the ...moevenort, it would be fair to point out that the OECD numbers are from 2005.<br /><br />Estonia's state budget for 2010, for example, spends around 18 billion for pensions and around 12 billion for the national health insurance, out of 90 billion total.<br /><br />Again, to give some perspective, the whole budget for 2005 was somewhere around 50 billion.<br /><br />The numbers are again quoted from memory, but should be in the right ballpark.<br /><br />Hope this helps.Marthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02497407025282383128noreply@blogger.com