What would you Fins say is the biggest social problem in your country?
Depression, by far. The suicide rates are really high. Alcohol obviously contributes to the problem, and so do the dark, long, cold winters. But they don't explain it all. With the global depression, the amount of jobs is steadily dropping and that results in a lot of people losing their jobs because companies are steadily cutting on fees to survive, or just out of pure greed. Finland is a very expensive country to live in. Fuel costs €1.65/liter, milk costs 1€/liter and finding a decent flat in Greater Helsinki area (Helsinki/Espoo/Vantaa/Kauniainen) for an affordable cost is nigh-impossible. Needless to say, the city-owned flats are cheaper but they have something like a 3-year waiting list.
Of course, we're not a poor country, but we're not as well off as we used to be in the early-mid noughties. Our biggest exports have traditionally been lumber, shipyards and IT. Nokia's downfall has had a disastrous effect on our national economy, and with the lumber industry slowly dying and the state-owned companies forced to cut employees, that only leaves our trusty shipbuilders... Who are slowly but surely being either sold abroad or dying off. It's not looking bright.
The tax rates are on the rise, the government just increased the VAT to 24% and increased the taxing on various consumables, such as fuel, candy, cigarettes and alcohol last year.
Why is all this relevant? Well, the economical disparity is rapidly rising between the unemployed or working class and the middle class. While it hasn't been a big problem in Finland for ages, the so-called "herraviha" (hatred towards upper classes/bosses) is again showing it's head. Perussuomalaiset (True Finns), a right-wing, heavily popularistic party received a dramatic rise on votes during the 2008 general election, mainly thanks to their negative views towards EU and immigration, among other things. Finns like to think of themselves as largely individual and independent, and thus capable of surviving on their own. The large amounts of money lend to the "crisis countries" such as Greece (twice!), Ireland, Portugal and Iceland has dramatically reduced EU:s support in Finland. Many Finns want themselves out of the Union and bring back our own currency, Markka (FIM).
Immigration is a very sensitive issue and I wouldn't like to address it very deeply, but there are people who believe that immigrants (both legal and illegal) are causing an unnecessary amount of trouble in our society. A large amount of immigrants remain unemployed, despite the so-called "positive discrimination"-policy* and social integration. There's also a social gap between Finno-Swedes (Swedish speaking Finns) and other Finns. Finno-Swedes are largely seen as elitist, rich and are often targets of jokes as well as actual verbal abuse and discrimination from other Finns. Whether this is justified or not remains a reader's decision, as I wouldn't like to express my personal thoughts on either of these subjects.
Youth unemployment is also on the rise, which caused some dispute and disparity in the younger population.
To summarize: Unemployment and high tax rates lead to economical disparity and financial troubles for many Finns. This, unfortunately, boosts problems such as alcoholism and depression, which both lead to many people sadly deciding they would be better off killing themselves. A high suicide rate, in other words.
*Positive discrimination in Finland: City of Helsinki has openly admitted to having a policy where they would hire an immigrant over a Finn in a situation where their qualifications are same or similar. Law schools and medical schools also have a certain quota reserved to Swedish-speaking Finns due to the need for Swedish-speaking doctors and lawyers, especially in the Swedish-speaking parts of the country (Western Finland, Åland and some parts of Southern and Southeastern Finland). This has lead to many protests and public disagreements, especially from younger Finns, who feel that they're being treated unfairly.
It's the LPH newspaper pages from the first Mighty Ducks film.
Thank.. I mean I recognized it was from the Might Ducks movie, but I didn't catch what was so cool about it. I guess I thought there was some connection to the current team that I was missing. But if it was just the posting of that old movie stuff ok.
*Positive discrimination in Finland: City of Helsinki has openly admitted to having a policy where they would hire an immigrant over a Finn in a situation where their qualifications are same or similar. Law schools and medical schools also have a certain quota reserved to Swedish-speaking Finns due to the need for Swedish-speaking doctors and lawyers, especially in the Swedish-speaking parts of the country (Western Finland, Åland and some parts of Southern and Southeastern Finland). This has lead to many protests and public disagreements, especially from younger Finns, who feel that they're being treated unfairly.
Helsinki does that? That sounds really.. unfair.
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The town I currently live in has problems with its economy as well, because of Nokia firing people. There was a big Nokia factory here in Oulu, and there worked 2500 people at best. In August there was 500 people left.
Then also Accenture closed their business here (they developed Nokia phones) and fired 140 people. So yeah, Oulu is like a small version of the entire country.
The town I currently live in has problems with its economy as well, because of Nokia firing people. There was a big Nokia factory here in Oulu, and there worked 2500 people at best. In August there was 500 people left.
Then also Accenture closed their business here (they developed Nokia phones) and fired 140 people. So yeah, Oulu is like a small version of the entire country.
Oh yes, Oulu and Salo were probably hit worst by Nokia's downfall.
Depression, by far. The suicide rates are really high. Alcohol obviously contributes to the problem, and so do the dark, long, cold winters. But they don't explain it all. With the global depression, the amount of jobs is steadily dropping and that results in a lot of people losing their jobs because companies are steadily cutting on fees to survive, or just out of pure greed. Finland is a very expensive country to live in. Fuel costs €1.65/liter, milk costs 1€/liter and finding a decent flat in Greater Helsinki area (Helsinki/Espoo/Vantaa/Kauniainen) for an affordable cost is nigh-impossible. Needless to say, the city-owned flats are cheaper but they have something like a 3-year waiting list.
Of course, we're not a poor country, but we're not as well off as we used to be in the early-mid noughties. Our biggest exports have traditionally been lumber, shipyards and IT. Nokia's downfall has had a disastrous effect on our national economy, and with the lumber industry slowly dying and the state-owned companies forced to cut employees, that only leaves our trusty shipbuilders... Who are slowly but surely being either sold abroad or dying off. It's not looking bright.
The tax rates are on the rise, the government just increased the VAT to 24% and increased the taxing on various consumables, such as fuel, candy, cigarettes and alcohol last year.
Why is all this relevant? Well, the economical disparity is rapidly rising between the unemployed or working class and the middle class. While it hasn't been a big problem in Finland for ages, the so-called "herraviha" (hatred towards upper classes/bosses) is again showing it's head. Perussuomalaiset (True Finns), a right-wing, heavily popularistic party received a dramatic rise on votes during the 2008 general election, mainly thanks to their negative views towards EU and immigration, among other things. Finns like to think of themselves as largely individual and independent, and thus capable of surviving on their own. The large amounts of money lend to the "crisis countries" such as Greece (twice!), Ireland, Portugal and Iceland has dramatically reduced EU:s support in Finland. Many Finns want themselves out of the Union and bring back our own currency, Markka (FIM).
Immigration is a very sensitive issue and I wouldn't like to address it very deeply, but there are people who believe that immigrants (both legal and illegal) are causing an unnecessary amount of trouble in our society. A large amount of immigrants remain unemployed, despite the so-called "positive discrimination"-policy* and social integration. There's also a social gap between Finno-Swedes (Swedish speaking Finns) and other Finns. Finno-Swedes are largely seen as elitist, rich and are often targets of jokes as well as actual verbal abuse and discrimination from other Finns. Whether this is justified or not remains a reader's decision, as I wouldn't like to express my personal thoughts on either of these subjects.
Youth unemployment is also on the rise, which caused some dispute and disparity in the younger population.
To summarize: Unemployment and high tax rates lead to economical disparity and financial troubles for many Finns. This, unfortunately, boosts problems such as alcoholism and depression, which both lead to many people sadly deciding they would be better off killing themselves. A high suicide rate, in other words.
*Positive discrimination in Finland: City of Helsinki has openly admitted to having a policy where they would hire an immigrant over a Finn in a situation where their qualifications are same or similar. Law schools and medical schools also have a certain quota reserved to Swedish-speaking Finns due to the need for Swedish-speaking doctors and lawyers, especially in the Swedish-speaking parts of the country (Western Finland, Åland and some parts of Southern and Southeastern Finland). This has lead to many protests and public disagreements, especially from younger Finns, who feel that they're being treated unfairly.
B- While you were able to put together solid facts and reasoning, it was slightly opinionated and you didn't cite your sources.
Finally broke the seal and got my first goal of the season last night. Ten games, 51 shots, and my 11th shot of the game. Quick wrister high glove using a couple defenders as a screen.
Loving the new hockey stick too. Miken Z9. I want moderately cold weather and smooth ice to play with it this week!
