tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post5395940355604794584..comments2023-11-05T09:55:13.077+02:00Comments on Itching for Eestimaa: letter from swedenGiustinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04756707910693785516noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-56409671601160689992012-10-13T18:08:27.368+02:002012-10-13T18:08:27.368+02:00It is also interesting to see how, since the start...It is also interesting to see how, since the start of the financial crisis, the expenditure of the Estonian government as a % of GDP, is not so far removed anymore from Swedish levels (because of the decline of the private sector, tax increases, and the increased use of EU structural funds).<br /><br />http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2012/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=11&pr.y=15&sy=2007&ey=2012&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=946%2C939%2C144&s=GGX_NGDP&grp=0&a=<br /><br />Look also at the significant difference with Lithuania. In terms of government expenditure, Estonia has certainly become more Nordic. :)Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-56893471439591095752012-10-13T16:06:25.872+02:002012-10-13T16:06:25.872+02:00Clarification: It is not my opinion that Estonia s...Clarification: It is not my opinion that Estonia <i>should</i> follow the Swedish or German model. I just want to say that it is not impossible or necessarily harmful for the economy , if the welfare state in Estonia would be expanded.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-3893179322828031072012-10-13T16:01:39.152+02:002012-10-13T16:01:39.152+02:00Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-63456404781595956022012-10-13T15:35:29.808+02:002012-10-13T15:35:29.808+02:00"I just think that, as people in economic sen..."I just think that, as people in economic sense, we are more like Germans and less like Swedes. The poor must be subsidised, but people should never made dependant on handouts."<br /><br />Germany and Sweden are not so different in this. Benefits for long-term unemployed are comparable in both countries:<br /><br />http://www.oecd.org/els/benefitsandwagesstatistics.htm<br />('Over a five-year period following unemployment, 2001-2010')<br /><br />Also according to data from eurostat, spending on unemployment and housing and social protection is comparable: 2,7% of GDP for Germany and 2,5% of GDP for Sweden. The numbers are from 2009:<br /><br />http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-12-014/EN/KS-SF-12-014-EN.PDF (page 5)<br /><br />It is also interesting to note that, in total (pension, disability, health care,...) both Germany (30,1%) and Sweden (31,5%) spend about the same % of GDP social protection, so the Germany welfare state is not much smaller than the Swedish one.<br /><br />Maybe then the way they deal with the unemployed is different? In Germany benefits are still high in a European perspective, but I know that there's a very strict monitoring of the activities of the unemployed, and they can be forced to accept jobs. About Swedish policy I know less, but it has a centre-right government for a decade now, so I don't expect them to be so soft.<br /><br />"How, then, do you build welfare state around that, while borrowing is not an option, and maintain that?"<br /><br />Through higher taxation of the rich of course. In Estonia the income tax stays 21%, even if you earn thousands of euros each month. In Sweden the highest income tax rate is 56%, in Germany it is 47%. This is mainly an ideological choice. Well, it may not be wise to suddenly raise taxes to such a level in Estonia, but do you think that the Estonian economy would collapse if the highest earners would pay for example 25% or 30% (which is still very low in a European perspective) instead of 21%? But this flat tax has an almost holy status for the right in Estonia.<br /><br />Concerning your remark about trade: both Sweden and Germany are also very dependent upon trade and they don't rely on borrowing for financing their welfare states. Sweden has had budget surplusses for twenty years and it's government debt has been decreasing fast and is now among the lowest in Europe. By the way, the Estonian economy was not so volatile because of trade. The huge recession in 2008-2009 was mainly caused by the sudden stop of the inflow of foreign money and the collapse of the housing bubble.<br /><br />Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-1087391479616622402012-10-12T20:32:36.850+02:002012-10-12T20:32:36.850+02:00Sorry, might have get carried away:). I do not pos...Sorry, might have get carried away:). I do not position myself on the right-centre-left scale. But if I do not like any of their policies, I will say it out. And I do dislike extremes. I just think that, as people in economic sense, we are more like Germans and less like Swedes. The poor must be subsidised, but people should never made dependant on handouts. Its horrible what goes on in parts of Britain at the moment. Ive met people who have not been at work for three generations. Pumped up with methadone or cheap alcohol, locked away in their slum like estates. Out of sight, out of mind, I suppose. But the desperation, misery and the share hopelessness is unreal. And it is very difficult to put right. You get less of that in Sweden, I must admit but the high living standard is relatively recent. Do be honest, I dont know:). I suppose you are right, but theres also a lot of wrong in that right. Do you know what I mean? Do you think we are smart enough to avoid the bad stuff and only implement the good?<br /><br />And you must remember that Estonia has always been extremely capitalist in the past. We are a trading nation and our wealth lies with the trade. That also means a lot of ups and downs. As individuals, I think, we must accept that. There will always be boom and bust, in Estonia. How, then, do you build welfare state around that, while borrowing is not an option, and maintain that?Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-40560805273121477932012-10-12T17:46:45.425+02:002012-10-12T17:46:45.425+02:00"As it stands currently, with our demographic..."As it stands currently, with our demographics and economical situation, they expect us to take huge risks by accepting the extreme left as a political norm so that we could conform with their image and maybe only then they might consider us joining."<br /><br />Extreme left? Are you serious? :) As an Estonian you should know what Extreme left really means, so I think it is strange that you just parrot right-wing rethoric about the welfare state.<br /><br />Strangely enough, the economies of the Nordic (council) countries, with their high levels of taxation and high social expenditure, are the most healthy and competitive economies in Europa.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-77439517051489322942012-10-12T15:51:49.142+02:002012-10-12T15:51:49.142+02:00Well, during the War, we put our money where our m...Well, during the War, we put our money where our mouth was. We sent voluntary units to help the countries in question. And what happened to these men and their families? Whenever we have been asked to go the extra mile, we have done so. As it stands currently, with our demographics and economical situation, they expect us to take huge risks by accepting the extreme left as a political norm so that we could conform with their image and maybe only then they might consider us joining. But thats not what being a member is about, in my view. Estonia, in no doubt, will evolve to that direction anyway, but all in good time.<br /><br />Meanwhile, we are nordic people. And not just the stereotypical herring-eating, vodka-drinking, sexual-deviant, nature-loving, sauna-obsessed way. Thats apparent to anyone anyway:). Estonian nordicness is not in the Ikea like brands. Its in our cultural DNA. And no Svensson, Fritz or Vassili will tell me who I am inside, no offence was meant.Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-75041230213726278442012-10-12T12:27:38.138+02:002012-10-12T12:27:38.138+02:00@Marko, LPR
"a far more popular openly gay pr...@<a href="#c6609671402804776784" title="Jump to Marko's post" rel="nofollow">Marko</a>, LPR<br /><i>"a far more popular openly gay presenter in ERR"</i><br /><br />This presenter was outed at least twice: first with a photo in a gossip rag a few years ago, and then very recently when a female colleague who is not in her first youth anymore outing him live on tv. That was like Anderson Cooper being outed by Laura Schlessinger (or Ricki Lake, or something), and <i>our</i> presenter not having choice anymore in how to deal with the situation of his private life being divulged. Although I do recall him once really letting his guard down when interviewing an arm wrestler.<br /><br />(Strangely, I am of opinion that Schlessinger and Lake both have quite a bit more class, even despite the former peddling conservative family values, for example).<br /><br />As far as I know, our protagonist has neither confirmed nor denied his sexuality, and so it remains a matter of private life. I remember the incident received positive comment feedback at elu24 (didn't check Delfi).<br /><br />----<br />Võsa seems like a combination of Bill O'Reilly or Jerry Springer for the hicks.<br /><br />On Swedes and how it relates to standing on our own wrt to not being in the Nordic Council:<br />"Standing on our own" ended in 1940, and Estonia is now one of the most-integrated EU countries.Mardushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17727908952144069020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-77501748584202945542012-10-10T19:08:13.337+02:002012-10-10T19:08:13.337+02:00Marko, you can email me at temesta8ATgmail.com and...Marko, you can email me at temesta8ATgmail.com and I'll provide you with details about language courses. :)Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-73649635044540783932012-10-09T21:24:47.890+02:002012-10-09T21:24:47.890+02:00Could you give me any details about language cours...Could you give me any details about language courses? Ive been trying to teach him, but its quite difficult, as we are in English speaking environment only. Got all the books from Amazon, mind you half of them ended up in a bin straight away as they were based on American English, so he actually had to translate American in to English and then to Estonian and it all got a bit too much :). We have got like stickers on everything in our house, and he does text me in Estonian and uses Google translate for Facebook and news. We even watch Kattemaksukontor together, lol. But its not enough.<br /><br />Do they start teaching it from the very basic level, or is it more advanced? Does the teacher speak good enough English? What age group are other students in your class and what time of the day are the classes held? Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-65326594006339774872012-10-09T19:46:56.265+02:002012-10-09T19:46:56.265+02:00The procedure for EU citizens is very easy. You re...The procedure for EU citizens is very easy. You register at your local government in Estonia and they will give you a paper proving that you are registered there. The only document that you need to register is a passport or identity card from your country of origin. With this paper you go to a police station (Politsei- ja Piirivalveamet) where you apply for an identity card. Within a few weeks you will get an email to inform you that you can pick up your identity card.<br />I could register at the töötukassa even before I registered myself as living in Estonia, my Belgian passport was enough for this. My konsultant informed me that I could apply for a language course and I could choose between some schools and programs. I didn't had to pay anything, the school and töötukassa arranged this with each other.<br />Health insurance you get if you have an Estonian id-kaart and are registered at the töötukassa. You ask your konsultant and he will arrange it.<br />Opening a bank account is also very easy. I did this before I was registered as living in Estonia.<br /><br />It was really easy, no bureaucratic nightmare like when my girlfriend registered in Belgium. I don't know about any websites but I assume there must exist some information online.<br />Just ask me if you have more questions. <br />Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-21436564460894667602012-10-09T14:45:53.533+02:002012-10-09T14:45:53.533+02:00Oh, thats nice. I might have to ask you for some t...Oh, thats nice. I might have to ask you for some tips, as we plan to move to Estonia next year. My partner, being English, would need all the help he could get. And me being never familiarised with the paperwork, tootukassa, bank accounts etc for another EU national. Any advice would be appreciated. Is there a website I could look in to?Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-20387454293164530462012-10-09T13:50:18.594+02:002012-10-09T13:50:18.594+02:00I can assure you that I am very busy studying Esto...I can assure you that I am very busy studying Estonian, it is just a language that takes a lot of time to master.<br /><br />And in some aspects Estonia is more open towards immigrants (from other EU memberstates) than Belgium, for example. When my girlfriend moved to Belgium she had to find a job within three months, which luckily she managed to do, or she would have had to leave the country or marry me. :)<br />But, being a EU citizen in Estonia, having a job is not a precondition for receiving a residence permit (apparently there are no requirements at all). Now I also participate in the national health insurance and the töötukassa pays my language courses. So that's one thing less to worry about.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-21509930538072145062012-10-09T13:48:29.393+02:002012-10-09T13:48:29.393+02:00Autor on selle kommentaari eemaldanud.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-55734913844889298802012-10-08T23:21:38.532+02:002012-10-08T23:21:38.532+02:00Oh dear. Temetsa, you need to chuck yourself in th...Oh dear. Temetsa, you need to chuck yourself in there. Learn some more Estonian. :). You sound like a really interesting person, it would be a shame if you couldnt share your thoughts with your Estonian friends, or worse not to be able to make new friends solely because language barrier.<br /><br />Back on the subject. These things can change over night, you know. When I was a youngster even the Finns subjected Estonian migrants to their immigration quotas. Seems unthinkable now, I know, but thats how it used to be. And it changed just like that. Obviously migrants are not greeted with open arms in any country. Even the ones that claim they do, like Australia and US, you will still find some pockets of resistance. That too, is only natrual. I think migration will be debated fiercly in coming years and gates will be if not opened, then widened for sure.<br /><br />There has always been prejudice towards travellers all across Europe. And some might as well be self inflicted. But a persons wealth or creed are the last things we look at when we meet someone new in pub, for example. Why should that form a basis for popular opinion, or worse for policy?Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-59509386543257110742012-10-08T22:10:05.875+02:002012-10-08T22:10:05.875+02:00I didn't find it on google, my Estonian is not...I didn't find it on google, my Estonian is not good enough, but I believe you.<br />However, I know that the attitudes of the Estonian state and public towards immigration are not very positive. If businesses are restricted in attracting highly educated workers from outside the European Union, I doubt that an influx of poor gypsies from other EU states would be received with open arms. Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-61529668774464893532012-10-08T21:26:14.645+02:002012-10-08T21:26:14.645+02:00Lol. But they made an official statement on it, af...Lol. But they made an official statement on it, after the Finns put them on the ferry and sent to Tallinn. I think it was on the lines of, dont be silly theire just people. It received wide media coverage, just Google it. <br /><br />By the way, did you know that in 18 hundreds many travellers were allowed to settle in one parish in Northern Estonia. It was a type of a travellers safe haven in this corner of the world. They were given land and extended minority rights. I think the current Roma King in Estonia, comes from that historic parish and descends from those original Roma settlers.Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-7980016307954365292012-10-08T19:44:30.113+02:002012-10-08T19:44:30.113+02:00We should advise gypsies to move to Estonia instea...We should advise gypsies to move to Estonia instead of France or Finland.<br />I am very curious how the Estonian state would deal with this issue.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-80655575140028355132012-10-07T17:58:08.885+02:002012-10-07T17:58:08.885+02:00Estonia does many things differently than its neig...Estonia does many things differently than its neighbouring countries, if I think about it. For example when Finns banned begging and sent many Romanian travellers packing, I found it shocking. Again, nothing like that is very unlikely to ever happen in Estonia. We are not just that kind of people, I think. Its like, if you compare Britain and France. Both Western European countries, a lot of similar shared history and values. But very different approaches to certain social issues. While the French deport their Romanians and ban symbols of certain religions in public space, Brits do the opposite. They debate their migration policy, poverty related to migrants, social mobility and extending rights to religious minorities. Instead of banning begging, they are looking at ways of helping those people to enter jobmarket. So, you see, there are many ways at looking at these things and when it comes to Estonia, well its an exceptional country, if compared to its closest neighbours.Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-29640652576662972842012-10-07T14:04:11.808+02:002012-10-07T14:04:11.808+02:00Well, the way it comes across, they are trying to ...Well, the way it comes across, they are trying to silence a section of society. Its as if they are buying for some time, to let the next generation to sort it out. Conservatives introduced similar legislation in the 80s Britain. We all know now where it ended up, in the dustbin of history, that is. I mean, what sense does it make to crack down on homophobic bullying, by banning gay people to express their views on the matter?<br /><br />Id rather put up with the filth and hatered from people like Vosa, Poder, Helme and Pullerits. And to have an opportunity to defend myself by expressing my own opinion on it. I think freedom to speak is too important for Estonians, thus you would never see something like that introduced in Northern Baltic. And despite people I mentioned earlier, Im a proud to be Estonian for the mere fact that in Estonia, we can.Markohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501324932136870126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-60280553634483964222012-10-07T11:51:19.988+02:002012-10-07T11:51:19.988+02:00"I just can't stay silent about the gay s..."I just can't stay silent about the gay situation in Lithuania."<br /><br />The situation in Lithuania must be very gay indeed :)<br /><br />I don't mean to make light of the issue, it just was on offer as if on a silver platter.Rainerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11160091690005391250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-71417703674730228302012-10-05T21:59:14.675+02:002012-10-05T21:59:14.675+02:00Hi, I'm writing to you from Lithuania. I find ...Hi, I'm writing to you from Lithuania. I find this blog very nice to read and know about Estonian life. I have to say that most of Lithuanians don't consider themselves related to Russian people. Me and most of young people even can't speak Russian.<br /><br />I just can't stay silent about the gay situation in Lithuania.<br />Actually we have never had a bill to make homosexuality an offense. We even have a member of parliament who is gay. There is also a member of parliament who turned out to be radically against homosexuality. And they never had a fight at work place :)<br /><br />The bill you might be referring to is generally for protection of children from negative information in public media during day time, including propagation of physical and mental violence, drugs, bullying for sexual orientation, religion, race, nationality, agitation for early sexual relations as well as for homosexual, bisexual and polygamic relations.<br /><br />There's nothing illegal about being homosexual in Lithuania.Bernardashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16434902449254331424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-27763286760379554802012-10-02T20:17:12.738+02:002012-10-02T20:17:12.738+02:00Marko, I will try to answer your question as soon ...Marko, I will try to answer your question as soon as possible.Temestahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14614591949410689858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-85174037329547015632012-10-02T16:13:16.765+02:002012-10-02T16:13:16.765+02:00Details ...
eh ...
here, help yourself to details...Details ...<br />eh ...<br /><br />here, help yourself to details ...<br /><br />http://www.postimees.ee/992560/prokuratuur-eesti-pank-voiski-voltsida-miljonidokumenti/LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13406351.post-22926451194265722032012-10-02T15:44:22.682+02:002012-10-02T15:44:22.682+02:00Details? You want details. Hahah. You crack me ...Details? You want details. Hahah. You crack me up.<br /><br />That would make me a writer. Maybe I should start writing in details? Not a bad idea. <br /><br />Like Vello Vikerkaar. Write in details.<br /><br />Funny.LPRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09397977705898254598noreply@blogger.com