Posted on 05/12/2009 10:28:55 AM PDT by WesternCulture
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has announced new economic stimulus measures, including subsidies for people who buy new cars.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
I live in a country, Sweden, that often is viewed as very Socialist, but IMO things have changed a lot over here since the 1970s-1980s (even if we still are a “big government country”) when we tried to save our shipbuilding industry, certain unprofitable steel manufacturers and several other companies by protectionist measures.
We used to believe in government intervention, but by today we have abandoned that hope for rescue measures by politicians.
I think we Swedish tax payers have learned something important on the way; If a company isn't healthy enough to survive on its own or by mergers, equity issuance etc, perhaps that company just do not contribute much to society at all.
Yep, unfortunately our government doesn’t believe in learning from others’ mistakes, they just have to go right ahead and make the same mistakes.
I wouldn’t do it. A new minivan for my family of 6 would cost $30K or something; a few thousand less wouldn’t be an incentive for me.
We’ll run our current one into the ground, which will take a while since it is a Honda.
And then I’ll get another used one for $15K or something.
I’ll save thousands and thousands this way—not buying cars—we simply don’t. There is just no need to, if you buy a car that lasts.
Like my dear old dad says, “they’re all great when they’re running.”
The price of new cars just went up by $2730
Isn’t another country on the Continent doing that already? I’m thinking Germany and the incentive was more like $3-4k.
BREAKING-New Cars in Spain magicly rise in price by $2,370!
Socialist Governement mystified as to why!
I may need a friend or ally. If I have to leave the USA, I’ll come see you in Sweden to help me assimilate.
- I sincerely hope people who look to my corner of the world for “models” of how to deal with different sorts of economic problems one day will realize this;
A) Scandinavian prosperity is built on raw materials - like North Sea oil - to a certain extent, but too an even greater extent it derives from a culture of entrepreneurship, trade and “looking after one's own house” (- and perhaps it also has to do with our choices of majors; the French and the Italians study Freudianism at university while we study things like Management, Economy and Engineering?)
B) We believe in national budget discipline. Governments producing perpetual national deficits is a sign of national failure.
C) We believe in reducing taxes. Indeed we have high taxes, but they serve no purpose of their own. In Scandinavia, corporate taxes are very low compared to, for instance, the US and Germany. Income taxes are moderate and in Sweden, the largest economy in Scandinavia, large cuts in the domain of income taxes have recently been made. We, undeniably, have a high VAT (a sort of sales tax), but I'd say this tax doesn't hurt ordinary households a lot as it is bearable in times of plenty as well as in times of need.
In short:
Scandinavia is rich because of North Sea oil, Volvo, IKEA and Ericsson, yes, but also because we chose to educate ourselves and chose to put our hopes to truly profitable businesses sooner than in government bailouts.
Also Sweden is not a multi-cultural society (yes I know Malmo has it’s share of Muslim immigrants), but for the most part everyone is the same race, religion and values. That makes a big difference.
“I may need a friend or ally. If I have to leave the USA, I’ll come see you in Sweden to help me assimilate.”
- Few people who are intelligent fail in the US.
Most people on this site are intelligent.
But, if you do fail, I’ll be there!
Welcome to try out Volvo Land.
“Also Sweden is not a multi-cultural society (yes I know Malmo has it’s share of Muslim immigrants), but for the most part everyone is the same race, religion and values. That makes a big difference”
- Yes, but on the other hand, USA is a great example of a country that has been immensely successful despite giving room to people from so many different cultures.
Germany is another one. Many Germans feel the only thing the Catholics and the Protestants of Germany have in common is the language.
Sounds good. I have an MBA and a bachelors in accounting, so I am no dummy, but with the administration we have here now, I may have to flee.
“Sounds good. I have an MBA and a bachelors in accounting, so I am no dummy, but with the administration we have here now, I may have to flee.”
- Welcome over here!
You could make a lot of money if you just bother to learn a little about Scandinavian business culture - and Scandinavian culture in general.
I’m not successful myself, but I can tell you we sure need people who are willing to bridge the gaps that, unfortunately, still exist between us.
It isn’t as cold here in Thule as you might think..
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