Took a random photo to test Flickr upload and it turns out it's Mom who wants her 15 minutes :-)
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Thursday, May 13, 2004
Denmark for Comparative Politicians
Hi Everybody,
My niece in the US has asked me for help with a school project and I find it hard to say no. Maybe some of you Danes or others living in Denmark out there can help. It involves answering the following questions for a Comparative Political Science class.
Anyone can respond in the Comments section for this post. Just jot down some quick thoughts, single out one or two questions, respond to the whole in a paragraph or two ----or don't respond at all if you don't have the time or don't want to. That's completely O.K.Thanks in advance for your help!
/Kevin
#######################################
---And now, here are the questions and my answers:
>>How do you view the Danish government? Are you generally happy with your
>>government?
I believe the Danish government is best described (and think most Danes would agree) as a 'Social Democracy'.
Social as in socialism, which is to say that there is a comprehensive social welfare 'safety net', funded largely by income taxation, which provides services and financial assistance especially for, but not limited to, the weaker elements of society.
The largest of these include:
Pension for those retiring from workforce (age 65 and up)
Forced-early retirement pension (those unable to work)
Early retirement pension (eligible from age 62 to 65)
Many different sabbatical and hiatus programs (including f.x. 6 months leave at ca. 80% of salary for mothers after giving birth)
Student stipend (students enrolled in qualifying degree programs -fx. any college/university receive ca. $700/month before taxes, on top of free tuition)
Unemployment ($1344/month, $1776/month with a child)
Job-training programs
These things of course all cost money and are the reason the tax-burden is so high. On the other hand there is almost no poverty or homelessness.
Where the US is supposed to insure equal opportunity for all, the Danish system seems to strive for an equal outcome for all. High-income earners see less and less of their last earned income -often paying almost 63% of any income over ca. $50,000 in taxes.
"The broadest shoulders must bear the heaviest burden", as they say.
>>Do you think that the Danish monarchy is an important and influential part of
>>the Danish government?
While the queen still approves the democratically elected goverment and still signs all approved bills into law, these activities are generally pro-forma rubberstampings and the monarchy is very careful not even to voice political opinion.
The royal family is however generally much loved by the people and probably earn their keep as ambassadors for the nation both home and abroad.
>>What do you think of the socialist way of life?
I don't believe a majority of Danes would consider themselves politically socialists. There are at least 12 political parties in Denmark, spanning from true communists (2%) to right-wing conservatives (9%). In the ideological middle are 'Venstre' (which strangely means 'left' even tho' they are right of center) and the Social Democrats (left of center, like the US Democratic Party), who enjoy a following of about 30% each of the population.
>>Are there major things that should be changed?
Personally, I don't think that the current levels of service and assistance can be maintained in an increasingly global economy. The burden of taxation required makes businesses less profitable to run, and the incentive to work -the difference between your taxed wages as opposed to welfare - is too low.
>>What do you think would be the perfect type of government?
I wonder if anyone will try to answer this. I can't. Perfect and government almost contradict one another in the same sentence ;-)
>>If you can pinpoint a country that you feel has a good system, please name it
>>and maybe give me your reasoning.
USA - USA - USA !!!!
Capitalism must be tempered and prioritize human capital, but I believe that free markets most closely express and reflect human nature. Welfare and handouts degrade the receiver.
>>How do you view the United States' Government?
I find it frustrating that the political system currently in place makes it almost impossible to elect a politician qualified for service and worthy of office. That said, I believe there is a wealth of talented people working behind the front figures who do a good job. Further, the US Constitution, with its division of powers and system of checks and balances, is an amazing document.
>>What about general democracy?
Democracy, strangely enough, is probably still in its infancy. Great hope for the future should it be allowed to spread futher.
>>Finally, please indicate
>>1.) whether I may quote your comments anonymously in connection with my report,
>>2.) whether I may contact you with any questions
>>3.) and whether you would like to receive an email in conjunction with the conclusion of the project
1.) Yes
2.) Yes
3.) Yes
#######################################
That's it!!
My niece in the US has asked me for help with a school project and I find it hard to say no. Maybe some of you Danes or others living in Denmark out there can help. It involves answering the following questions for a Comparative Political Science class.
Anyone can respond in the Comments section for this post. Just jot down some quick thoughts, single out one or two questions, respond to the whole in a paragraph or two ----or don't respond at all if you don't have the time or don't want to. That's completely O.K.Thanks in advance for your help!
/Kevin
#######################################
---And now, here are the questions and my answers:
>>How do you view the Danish government? Are you generally happy with your
>>government?
I believe the Danish government is best described (and think most Danes would agree) as a 'Social Democracy'.
Social as in socialism, which is to say that there is a comprehensive social welfare 'safety net', funded largely by income taxation, which provides services and financial assistance especially for, but not limited to, the weaker elements of society.
The largest of these include:
Pension for those retiring from workforce (age 65 and up)
Forced-early retirement pension (those unable to work)
Early retirement pension (eligible from age 62 to 65)
Many different sabbatical and hiatus programs (including f.x. 6 months leave at ca. 80% of salary for mothers after giving birth)
Student stipend (students enrolled in qualifying degree programs -fx. any college/university receive ca. $700/month before taxes, on top of free tuition)
Unemployment ($1344/month, $1776/month with a child)
Job-training programs
These things of course all cost money and are the reason the tax-burden is so high. On the other hand there is almost no poverty or homelessness.
Where the US is supposed to insure equal opportunity for all, the Danish system seems to strive for an equal outcome for all. High-income earners see less and less of their last earned income -often paying almost 63% of any income over ca. $50,000 in taxes.
"The broadest shoulders must bear the heaviest burden", as they say.
>>Do you think that the Danish monarchy is an important and influential part of
>>the Danish government?
While the queen still approves the democratically elected goverment and still signs all approved bills into law, these activities are generally pro-forma rubberstampings and the monarchy is very careful not even to voice political opinion.
The royal family is however generally much loved by the people and probably earn their keep as ambassadors for the nation both home and abroad.
>>What do you think of the socialist way of life?
I don't believe a majority of Danes would consider themselves politically socialists. There are at least 12 political parties in Denmark, spanning from true communists (2%) to right-wing conservatives (9%). In the ideological middle are 'Venstre' (which strangely means 'left' even tho' they are right of center) and the Social Democrats (left of center, like the US Democratic Party), who enjoy a following of about 30% each of the population.
>>Are there major things that should be changed?
Personally, I don't think that the current levels of service and assistance can be maintained in an increasingly global economy. The burden of taxation required makes businesses less profitable to run, and the incentive to work -the difference between your taxed wages as opposed to welfare - is too low.
>>What do you think would be the perfect type of government?
I wonder if anyone will try to answer this. I can't. Perfect and government almost contradict one another in the same sentence ;-)
>>If you can pinpoint a country that you feel has a good system, please name it
>>and maybe give me your reasoning.
USA - USA - USA !!!!
Capitalism must be tempered and prioritize human capital, but I believe that free markets most closely express and reflect human nature. Welfare and handouts degrade the receiver.
>>How do you view the United States' Government?
I find it frustrating that the political system currently in place makes it almost impossible to elect a politician qualified for service and worthy of office. That said, I believe there is a wealth of talented people working behind the front figures who do a good job. Further, the US Constitution, with its division of powers and system of checks and balances, is an amazing document.
>>What about general democracy?
Democracy, strangely enough, is probably still in its infancy. Great hope for the future should it be allowed to spread futher.
>>Finally, please indicate
>>1.) whether I may quote your comments anonymously in connection with my report,
>>2.) whether I may contact you with any questions
>>3.) and whether you would like to receive an email in conjunction with the conclusion of the project
1.) Yes
2.) Yes
3.) Yes
#######################################
That's it!!
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
Monday, May 10, 2004
PDF-o-matic
Kind of a cool tool. Punch in a (an?) URL and -click- you're downloading a .pdf of the page.
Monday, May 03, 2004
I'm mad at Citibank idiots.
I try to send a wire transfer (living overseas) to pay off my balance and it goes awry ( -does anyone know what a 'BNF' name and account are??). I get on the phone and communicate the problem, get some better wire transfer info and am told to try again...and if there are any finance charges to just call back and they'll be reversed. After about $100 in wire transfer fees, the payoff balance was wrong and my account falls $15 short of paid off --and now there are again finance charges and I am again looking at another wire transfer (their Click2Pay doesn't accept foreign banks even when paying in US funds).
ArrrRrrrrr...........
I try to send a wire transfer (living overseas) to pay off my balance and it goes awry ( -does anyone know what a 'BNF' name and account are??). I get on the phone and communicate the problem, get some better wire transfer info and am told to try again...and if there are any finance charges to just call back and they'll be reversed. After about $100 in wire transfer fees, the payoff balance was wrong and my account falls $15 short of paid off --and now there are again finance charges and I am again looking at another wire transfer (their Click2Pay doesn't accept foreign banks even when paying in US funds).
ArrrRrrrrr...........
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Monday, January 26, 2004
Thursday, November 13, 2003
My body, Your body, Everybody netWork that body: "Technology Review: Human Body Network" tells strange stories of applied technology. Bluetooth and infrared begone, Japanese researchers have an operating network which
Brings to mind images of the hand-in hand I'd like to Teach the World to Sing Coke commercials from the 70's(?). Wonder what the loss is like? Can we make a transcontinental chain and maybe send some porn or spam?
instead of using radio waves, infrared light, or microwaves to transmit information uses the electric field that emanates from humansalmost unbelieveable.
Brings to mind images of the hand-in hand I'd like to Teach the World to Sing Coke commercials from the 70's(?). Wonder what the loss is like? Can we make a transcontinental chain and maybe send some porn or spam?
Monday, November 10, 2003
More Amazing Applied Technology
Blipverts for people who never forget their glasses. The ultimate subliminal thread around your finger. A fascinating pdf or googled html read.
On a similar note, but different pair of glasses, I read an article about a (HP?) lab that had made some kinda bulky -but just kinda- glasses with a built-in cameraand microphone in the nose-bridge. With these on you would just walk around recording everything you see.
But the most interesting part of the article was an estimate of about 75 terabyte of storage which would be needed if you had them on your entire life. That's alot of storage but not unthinkable. What's almost unthinkable is that it would afford you a -possibly painful or embarassing but- perfect memory.
An odd thought, that. I'll post a link to the article if I remember ...
Blipverts for people who never forget their glasses. The ultimate subliminal thread around your finger. A fascinating pdf or googled html read.
On a similar note, but different pair of glasses, I read an article about a (HP?) lab that had made some kinda bulky -but just kinda- glasses with a built-in cameraand microphone in the nose-bridge. With these on you would just walk around recording everything you see.
But the most interesting part of the article was an estimate of about 75 terabyte of storage which would be needed if you had them on your entire life. That's alot of storage but not unthinkable. What's almost unthinkable is that it would afford you a -possibly painful or embarassing but- perfect memory.
An odd thought, that. I'll post a link to the article if I remember ...
Monday, October 13, 2003
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Ananova - 150,000 Bp for 'ultimate boy's toy' : "The amphibious vehicle is designed to reach speeds of 100mph on land and over 30mph on water and can switch between the two surfaces at the switch of a button."
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Mars Attacks!?!
It's perfect weather for a late summer ambush as our Earth and Mars pass " closer together than at any time in almost 60,000 years"
See for yourself here, and watch the skies:
It's perfect weather for a late summer ambush as our Earth and Mars pass " closer together than at any time in almost 60,000 years"
See for yourself here, and watch the skies:
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