Posted on 05/23/2002 2:26:52 PM PDT by knighthawk
Could someone file me in on why nighthawk was going to leave FR?
I know, I am an optimist
I missed that thread, but I am glad you are still around. I wouldn't have known what was going on politically in the Netherlands if it weren't for your posts. I find it very interesting. I am glad that you are staying.
Please keep us informed of the situation there.
It's certainly a very pleasing development. I don't know much about the intricacies of your government, so I have a few questions. Is it likely that the ministry Beatrix appoints (as well as the judges) will lend themselves to the rightward shift in voter sentiment?
And what about the lower chamber of parliament? Isn't its membership held over from previous regional legislative elections when Kok and his minions were still in power? Is it likely they will go along with upper chamber legislation?
Lastly, do you foresee a resurgence of WD (liberal party) influence anytime soon? They are the only party in the Netherlands who even remotely resemble what I consider "conservative."
For anybody familiar with our respective histories, there can be no doubt about that. I, and others, may have our quibbles about the Hague, the NMPs and other matters in the Netherlands, but the fact is that the Netherlands (in spite of its long period of neutrality) is our oldest continuous ally, going all the way back to our War of Independence. You are the third largest investor in us, and we are the largest investor in you.
The USA get rid of the liberals and socialists? Maybe if we could clone Ronald Reagan 100 million times and bring them all into the country at once, like 'Star Wars', Episode 2, 'Attack of the Clones'.
Darth Hitlery and Count Da'shill would flee to another galaxy. ;^)
Balkenende (the CDA leader) spoke to the Dutch people in an interview and said he how had seen that things needed to change. He is young (46) and never really was part of the old system. He also knows if he doesn't please the LPF voters that eventualy voted for him, he will lose a lot of support.
The lower chamber (refered to as First Chamber) will probebly go along with a lot of laws. But they have still got power to counter the right coalition. But I doubt they will do it, except for far-going changes.
The WD? Do you mean VVD? They are the right-winged liberals. They lost voters to List Pim Fortuyn, and if the LPF will do bad, they will regain those voters.
If the First Chamber balks on Second Chamber bills, can they be over-ridden, perhaps by a 2/3 vote in the Second Chamber? If so, the new coalition would have to find another 7 votes from outside their ranks, wouldn't they? If not, then what mechanism, if any, is there for perventing the First Chamber from significantly obstructing the program of the new coalition?
I am also still wondering about Beatrix, the ministry and the judges.
(Yes, I meant the VVD. I suppose I should just accept the fact that I now have to wear glasses, LOL!)
Which means we also have a bond of blood. I'm sure you would have done the same for us.
I thought the First Chamber could not stop the forming of a coalition. Formily the queen (Beatrix) can. I will look around.
Knighthawk, you can call him "Dutch" Reagan.
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