When the Golden Age is over...

For a number of years now I have been wondering what it is with Dutchland as Katie's boyfriend refers to the Netherlands. As becomes rather obvious when looking at a map, it is a very small country. And yet, it goes out of its way to not be like other small countries, such as Belgium, Luxembourg or Switzerland for example. Perhaps it has to do with Dutchland's past.

Due to a large navy and commercial fleet, it could once compete with Britain at sea. It has a colonial past and although currently being a monarchy it used to be a Republic. Arguably the first Republic the world has ever known. Somehow, I sometimes wonder whether Britain taking over the seas and France invading in the 17th century has not been clear enough a message about the end of the Dutch Golden Age.

End 2009 we still do our best to make sure we count and are taken seriously. In Europe, in the world. We leap at the opportunity to participate in G20 meetings and of course do we help the United States in Afghanistan. Whilst right-wing politicians want to make us believe immigrants cost a lot of money, no one mentions what the army costs. And the Dutch army costs a lot as it apparently needs the newest and best destructive toys (produced in America, incidently).

I am aware that weapons are not for free, but to me there seems to be something wrong when there is money available for the newsest material and most advanced technologies, when at the same time elderly people in homes do not get dressed every day due to shortages in staff. The government wants children to be more physically active to fight against people becoming overweight, but if a school wants a playground, it can get tiles, no more. But if the ministry of defence wants new aeroplanes, it has practically placed the order before Parliament has even agreed and negotiations with a Swedish company are reduced to formality rather than a comparative investigation.

I don't think firing all our soldiers and selling their toys is the solution to all our problems. However...perhaps a European army would come cheaper in the end as the costs will be borne by more people and more countries. Perhaps at home we can spend some more on health care, education and police service.