ANXIETY:A HISTORY OF THE FUTURE OF NORWAY

The Norwegian Socialist Left Party (SV) arranged the twenty-two  ordinary  national convention on March 17-19, 2017 at Clarion Hotel Oslo Airport Gardermoen. I attended the national convention as a delegate from Oslo Socialist Left Party. The former Minister of Education and Minister of Environment, Bård Vegard Solhjell  attended the convention too. During a pause of the convention I was happy to sit next to Bård. We have met earlier at political meetings but it was nice to talk to him again. The subject for the talk was his last book published: ” URO. Ei historie om Norges framtid ” ( Eng. title: Anxiety. A History of the future of Norway).I asked him if he had brought copies of his book with him for sale at the convention. He didn’t. But he promised to forward a copy to my home with personal dedication. The book arrived as promised with a personal dedication. You can trust that man!

I have read the book more than once. Bård is a person who is disturbed by the present political situation in Norway, Europe and the rest of the world. He is not the only one who is worried about the political situation in USA, Norway and Europe. No. But Bård has written a book about his disturbance, his worries and his personal contribution and commitment as a member of the Norwegian parliament, the Storting. He has  published a statement concerning his personal political activities in the future. He is tired. Too fed up for the coming political fights.He does not want to be reelected as a member of the Storting.

In September 2017 the political election takes place all over the country. The political parties are making preparations for the election. The Norwegian legislature, The Storting, will be elected for a new four-year term. Above all: Some of the parties want power. The present government has to resign. Bård has written a report contenting the main issues that he thinks should be on the agenda for any political discussion in the future. He is concerned about the future of Norway.

The Norwegian Socialist Left Party (SV) is a democratic socialist and environment party. The final programme for the party published after the national convention shows that the party also wants  to take part in future talks about the national defence of Norway, the atom bomb and the future of the membership of NATO.

But let me return to the selected issues presented in his book. Why is he so worried? Let me set up a list of his issues:

-The increasing inequality of the people in Norway. The present policy of the government is making some people richer on behalf of those who shoud have had more official support by the government.

-Tax reductions  for those few that already has enough wealth.

-He is worried about how we treat people who come to Norway as refugees.

- He is worried about the lack of understanding of different cultures and traditions connected to religions. The increasing racism in Norway is a problem.

-The lack of a good policy of making it possible to understand the values of Norway. We must not make parallell societies  in Norway based on ideas contenting undemocratic attitudes, ideas and values that are a threat the society accepted by the majority of people. But we must accept the cost of making different nationalisties adaptable to the Norwegian society. If not, we have to face the same political conflicts that are problems in many European countries like France and England.

- A democratic  and open society must not forget the importance of the work done in libraries all over the country by dedicated librarians. A modern public library must not be forgotten by the politicians. People need a venue for talks about  the future of Norway. Access to internet for anyone is important. Access to public reports, documents, political statements and decisions  made must be possible for any citizen of the country. The library is the best place for these activities. And above all: Free access. Not costs.

I could put more subjects on the list but I leave it to you to study the book. Bård is tired of political conflicts and the work made at the Norwegian Parliament, but he is far from being classified as worn out.No. He will return to the work of the party when the party asks him to come back!

The publishing of the book is a proof of his commitment making Norway better  country  to live in and also to improve the standard of living for people – not only the richest of the rich.

Bård Vegard Solhjell has a Master of Arts in Political Science . He has written two other books: ”Solidaritet på ny ” and ” Sjakk- ei kjærleikshistorie ”. The language used in all his books is New Norwegian ( One of Norways’s two official written languages).

Bård Vegard Solhjell: URO. Ei historie om Norges framtid. Kagge Forlag AS. 2017. 239 sider.

HIDDEN WEALTH AND TAX HAVENS

Economic  reports, economic  planning, economic theories are not objects for my daily activities because figures , business  matters, money making activities are boring – too boring but important studies if you want to make a better life for people. We are facing economic problems in Europe, Africa and USA. We are asking questions why the situation is complicated? Experts in business matters are educated from the best universities in the world. Facts, figures, future plans and above all: Recommendations published as statements from the experts to make the world better?No. Sorry.

Facts, figures, investments, money making are still objects for those who want more. Some future planners are more concerned about how to make more money without any responsiblility for the living standard of the poorest of the poor but the living standard for the richest of the rich. Political parties worldwide have not taken the issues as a matter of importance. No objections so far?

How do I know who prefers reading novels, military history, and viewing movies on my sparetime?The answer is a small book. 122 pages only. But the content of the small book is a wake up call for those of you who fights against any support for making the poorest of the poor a little bit richer.

The title is: ” The Hidden Wealth of Nations: The Scourge of Tax Havens ”. The French title is: ” La richess cachee des nations.Enquete sur les paradis fiscaux”. The book is published in 2015.

The writer of the book is, Gabriel Zuckman. He is French, working for Berkely University in USA and educated in economics.

When I worked for the Norwegian Agency for International Develeopment(NORAD) from 1972 to 1976 we focued much on the power of the mulitinational companies and their approach to the development of developing countries. Studies of the economic policy of some countries whose policy was to assist companies in paying less tax were on the agendas on seminars and meetings.

The small book deals with complicated economic questions with reference to how to reduce the paying of tax for  companies and for some rich men and women. I am not an expert in the field but I want to a better world for more people not only some rich companies and individuals.No. Are we facing a modern way of robbing the banks? During the Second World War different resistance groups in Norway had to rob banks to get money for the resistance work. The bank robbers were nice and polite people who robbed the banks in a nice way without shooting. The aim of the robbing was made clear to the heads of the banks: Economic support to the resistance work fighting the German occupants of Norway.

The heads of the international banks are nice people too, well educated, behaving  and treating people in a polite way. The same men and women are also active in robbing money from countries where people need to improve the standard of living.The book is dealing with why and how international banks are assisting companies and individuals in reducing  tax payment. The work is not legal. Countries like USA is getting less money for the people of USA due to the smart heads of the banks.

I cannot make a statement that I think all information given by the writer is correct. But I believe that he is making an attempt to wake up some politicians who are complaining about the lack of money for a  better health care, better schools and more new jobs in USA  including Norway. The business of tax reductions of some countries must finish. So far, the work is not on the agenda at all. Make the world better and pay for it.
Finally:A quotation taken from the foreword of the book written by Thomas Piketty: "...If you are interested in injustice, global justice and the future of democracy..." you should read this book.
I agree. Read the book and do something about the injustice in the world. Good luck!