Many Swedes say fatigue is enough to skip work
STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) — In a country plagued by skyrocketing sick-leave costs, a new survey presented Friday found that 40% of Sweden's population believes it is acceptable to skip work because they feel tired or have trouble getting along with colleagues.
The survey, by the National Social Insurance Board, also found that 65% of the 1,002 people interviewed think a stressful work situation is also a valid reason for calling in sick and collecting pay under Sweden's liberal social programs.
The survey shows "a deep lack of knowledge about what the health insurance is meant to cover," board director Anna Hedborg said of Sweden's 9 million residents.
Alf Eckerhall, a social insurance expert with the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, went a step further: Many Swedes deliberately abuse the system.
"The insurance laws clearly state that inability to work because of illness" is the only valid reason to stay home, Eckerhall said. "The key word is 'inability to work' — not 'illness.'"
The survey, conducted June 17-24, did not have a margin of error.
Sweden's extensive cradle-to-grave welfare system includes generous programs covering sick leave, parental leave and unemployment benefits. But paying for workers on long-term sick leave and disability has become one of the government's biggest expenditures. Sick leave compensation tripled from $2 billion in 1997 to $6 billion in 2002.
In Sweden, the employer pays for the first three weeks' sick leave, and workers can call in sick for seven days before needing a doctor's certificate or medical proof.
People who call in sick do not receive any compensation for the first day they are absent. But Eckerhall said many people get around that by leaving work a little early, and then calling in sick for that day. That counts as one sick day, which lets them start receiving sick pay the next day.
"That means your day without compensation was 15 minutes long," Eckerhall said. Hedborg said the board will launch a massive nationwide campaign to inform people that illness is the only valid reason to stay home from work. "To many, this message may seem hard and even insensitive," she wrote. "The truth is, that if we don't defend our common insurance today, we won't be able to afford keeping it."Classic stuff!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Sweden, the workers paradise. Again...
I found this today from USA Today via Dissecting Leftism.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
ALP Education Policy Comments
As regular readers will know, I'm no socialist. However, I am a genuine believer in the public education system. I went to a public school as do my kids and I actually work in a public university.
You know as well as I do that there are problems though, the biggest in my opinion being the evil influence of the teachers federation which is one of the most blatantly communist organisations that ever existed. Being a free enterpriser I also have no problem with people choosing to send their kids to private schools. I have friends who bust their arses to do it too.
My concern about Mark diddly ding dong Lathams' policy, is that it will now send a large amount of funding directly to the largest competitor of the public school, the local Catholic/Anglican school. This will make it easier to lower their fees and expand their schools which will in turn make it easier for the average Joe to send his kids to a private school.
I also think that by topping up public school funding it will make it more tempting for State Governments to lower their portion of funding again, making private schools more attractive.
The problem that public schools have is not one of just inadequate funding. Recent surveys have found that parents are willing to bust their arse to fund their own school expenses rather than put up with the constant political indoctrination from rabid communists. They would rather that their kids could spell than know how to rage against the machine. They would rather that their kids can add up instead of knowing about the violence inherent in the system. They would rather that their kids could be proud of our country instead of being told that we are a bunch of bigots who invaded the country.
It strikes me as strange that the very people who bitch about our public school system are the ones who do it the most damage.
You know as well as I do that there are problems though, the biggest in my opinion being the evil influence of the teachers federation which is one of the most blatantly communist organisations that ever existed. Being a free enterpriser I also have no problem with people choosing to send their kids to private schools. I have friends who bust their arses to do it too.
My concern about Mark diddly ding dong Lathams' policy, is that it will now send a large amount of funding directly to the largest competitor of the public school, the local Catholic/Anglican school. This will make it easier to lower their fees and expand their schools which will in turn make it easier for the average Joe to send his kids to a private school.
I also think that by topping up public school funding it will make it more tempting for State Governments to lower their portion of funding again, making private schools more attractive.
The problem that public schools have is not one of just inadequate funding. Recent surveys have found that parents are willing to bust their arse to fund their own school expenses rather than put up with the constant political indoctrination from rabid communists. They would rather that their kids could spell than know how to rage against the machine. They would rather that their kids can add up instead of knowing about the violence inherent in the system. They would rather that their kids could be proud of our country instead of being told that we are a bunch of bigots who invaded the country.
It strikes me as strange that the very people who bitch about our public school system are the ones who do it the most damage.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Shithouse Scrubbers of the World Unite!
I left a comment recently over at Robert Corrs' site in response to his post about poster tampering.
this is it:
this is it:
This is happening on an on-going basis at the Uni where I work. Anti greensIn response, a charming person called Jockman left this classic:
posters last about 12-24 hrs before dissappearing. Anti-Labour posters last
about 2 days.I find it amazing that the "equality loving left" feel that they
have an exclusive right to display their propaganda, but anyone else...
gooooone!If I was half the bastard that I am supposed to be, I would remove a
few posters myself. Us right wingers believe in free speech though so I'll just
leave the greeny ones alone and keep replacing the others.greens = fascists.
Free thought is not encouraged at all. This is another fine example of the
elitists knowing better then the plebs.
Posted by Gibbo at 7:21am on 14
September 2004.
Gibbo,"greens=facists", bitching about the elite, and you're a right winger who
works at a uni. My guess is you are not in academia. Do you by any chance scrub
shithouses or cut grass for a living?
Posted by jockman at 9:22am on 14
September 2004.
I left an answer there, but would like to publish it here too:
Jockman, sorry mate, guess again! No shithouse scrubbers here.I nearly wet my
pants laughing when I read your comment. I love the idea that I can't be an
academic because I don't vote green. Classic stuff!Thanks for once again proving
what a caring, sharing and equality loving person you are. The best thing about
this election has been the spotlight on the stupidity of the left. What if was
the "shihouse scrubber"? In your eyes my opinion wouldn't count. You prove my
point succinctly. Thanks.
The hypocrisy of these people is astounding! The public face is all cuddly koalas & save the whales but the reality is a bunch of bitter and twisted elitists. Communism with a marketing campaign.
Idiots!
Shithouse scrubbers of the world unite!
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
In search of an intelligent argument
I found this classic today on one of the noticeboards at work. You expect a university to attract a few left wingers(whingers?) but you also expect an intelligent argument.
The best line for my money was: "He did all that Iraq stuff"
Evil bastard! Imagine voting for a prick that cut down all the forests, stole your funding AND all that Iraq stuff to boot.
The best line for my money was: "He did all that Iraq stuff"
Evil bastard! Imagine voting for a prick that cut down all the forests, stole your funding AND all that Iraq stuff to boot.
Friday, September 03, 2004
I was wrong!
I know some folks don't read the comments section of blogs so I thought that I should "publicly" answer some very important questions that have been raised.
Here are the comments as they appeared.
"LAWS to force people to ride bicycles more often and eat less meat.This is where the word "force" is used."Force" and "encouraging" are completely different. The former is the act of a totalitarian state; the latter can be achieved with better facilities, subsidies, other forms of positive encouragement.You know, like everything else the government does to enact policy. You don't describe Howard's policies which encourage people to buy 4WDs (the tax discount for 4WDs) as "forcing" people to buy 4WDs, do you?And you ask where the funding's going to come from; obviously it's going to come from taxes. Der.C'mon, guys, admit that the Hun article was a contemptible beat-up and filled largely with lies. Yeah, sure there was some truth - the Greens DO want to create equality for gay and lesbian people, for example. (And why shouldn't they?) But the extremist stuff was complete bullshit. It was a hatchet job, and you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting it.
posted by Jeremy : 6:38 PM "
Jeremy, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologise to you & your fellow greens. I was wrong!.
Were I went wrong was in thinking that by stating something in a policy and actually putting a target figure on it, then you would actually want to enforce it. You see, I thought that these were policies, not suggestions. or things to be "encouraged" . I thought 20% actually meant 20%. Sorry, I'm a bit new at greenpolicies suggestions positive encouragements proposals submissions hints ideas.
As far as 4WDs go, I agree. I would remove any subsidies for these things too. However, I don't see a Liberal policy that has a target of 20% 4wd's. Surely if they were encouraging it they would have a policy for it? Sorry, I'm getting confused again. It's the greens that have encouraging policies and the Libs that tell lies. Now that we are back on track...
If we vote green, will we then have speed suggestions instead of speed limits? Will we be encouraged to not drink and drive or will we have laws against it?
By the way Jeremy, I re-read the policy and you are right. The word force does not appear. Neither does the word encourage. It says 20%. Do they mean it or not?
Thank you for finally admitting that taxes will rise under green influence. Finally one of you developed the balls to own up. Scroll down to my writings on Sweden to see the real cost of the Workers Paradise.
As far as the gay and lesbian issue... Can you please explain to me how segregating people by their sexuality and having different policies for each sub-group is not discrimination? The same question needs to be asked of your indigenous and refugee policies. They are simply racist by any sensible definition. Multi-racialism has never been a problem in Australia. I grew up in a place where if you were racist, you didn't have any friends. I am very proud of Australia's multi-racial backgrounds and am actually married to an immigrant to this country. Multi-culturalism however, has been an abject failure. Your policies are sexist, racist and divisive.
You either believe in equality or you don't. Make your mind up. The only true equality is the equality of opportunity. Stories abound in this country of people who have overcome all sorts of circumstances and have made good. But to do well here, you need to get off your clacker and stop suckling from the teat of the State. I am 42 years old and the highest qualification I have ever had is a drivers license but he last time I needed the dole was in 1982. There is work and opportunity in this country for everyone who wants it and has the gumption to do something with their life.
The reality is that your mob are simply another tired old reincarnation of the communist and anarchist movement. You have nothing positive to offer on the environment. You have nothing positive to offer on equality. You have nothing positive to offer toward peace. You have nothing but negative viewpoints. You see nothing but problems and strife in the world. You see conspiracies everywhere. You take no responsiblity for your actions. It is always someone elses fault. Everyone is telling lies but you.
I would offer you the same advice that I offered your mob a few weeks ago. If you honestly know of a place where your communist ideals are being met then why aren't you living there? You simply don't have the courage of your convictions do you? It is all well and good to live in a strong capitalist system and to bag it but actually living under a real communist regime? No way. You are gutless!
So far the only policy you have sparked up on was the pushbike one. You have had no sensible argument or refutation against any of the other charges laid against you by the Herald Sun or anyone else. So, again, I was wrong when I used the word "force". Now it's time to admit where you have been wrong.
Get something through your head and understand it. The vast majority of Australians reject your ideologies outright. Stop thinking of yourself as an elite with all the answers and see yourself for what you really are. A bitter and cynical communist.
You are finally coming under genuine scrutiny and you're all shitting your pants & crying like adolescent girls.
Grow up!
Here are the comments as they appeared.
"LAWS to force people to ride bicycles more often and eat less meat.This is where the word "force" is used."Force" and "encouraging" are completely different. The former is the act of a totalitarian state; the latter can be achieved with better facilities, subsidies, other forms of positive encouragement.You know, like everything else the government does to enact policy. You don't describe Howard's policies which encourage people to buy 4WDs (the tax discount for 4WDs) as "forcing" people to buy 4WDs, do you?And you ask where the funding's going to come from; obviously it's going to come from taxes. Der.C'mon, guys, admit that the Hun article was a contemptible beat-up and filled largely with lies. Yeah, sure there was some truth - the Greens DO want to create equality for gay and lesbian people, for example. (And why shouldn't they?) But the extremist stuff was complete bullshit. It was a hatchet job, and you should be ashamed of yourself for supporting it.
posted by Jeremy : 6:38 PM "
Jeremy, I would like to take this opportunity to publicly apologise to you & your fellow greens. I was wrong!.
Were I went wrong was in thinking that by stating something in a policy and actually putting a target figure on it, then you would actually want to enforce it. You see, I thought that these were policies, not suggestions. or things to be "encouraged" . I thought 20% actually meant 20%. Sorry, I'm a bit new at green
As far as 4WDs go, I agree. I would remove any subsidies for these things too. However, I don't see a Liberal policy that has a target of 20% 4wd's. Surely if they were encouraging it they would have a policy for it? Sorry, I'm getting confused again. It's the greens that have encouraging policies and the Libs that tell lies. Now that we are back on track...
If we vote green, will we then have speed suggestions instead of speed limits? Will we be encouraged to not drink and drive or will we have laws against it?
By the way Jeremy, I re-read the policy and you are right. The word force does not appear. Neither does the word encourage. It says 20%. Do they mean it or not?
Thank you for finally admitting that taxes will rise under green influence. Finally one of you developed the balls to own up. Scroll down to my writings on Sweden to see the real cost of the Workers Paradise.
As far as the gay and lesbian issue... Can you please explain to me how segregating people by their sexuality and having different policies for each sub-group is not discrimination? The same question needs to be asked of your indigenous and refugee policies. They are simply racist by any sensible definition. Multi-racialism has never been a problem in Australia. I grew up in a place where if you were racist, you didn't have any friends. I am very proud of Australia's multi-racial backgrounds and am actually married to an immigrant to this country. Multi-culturalism however, has been an abject failure. Your policies are sexist, racist and divisive.
You either believe in equality or you don't. Make your mind up. The only true equality is the equality of opportunity. Stories abound in this country of people who have overcome all sorts of circumstances and have made good. But to do well here, you need to get off your clacker and stop suckling from the teat of the State. I am 42 years old and the highest qualification I have ever had is a drivers license but he last time I needed the dole was in 1982. There is work and opportunity in this country for everyone who wants it and has the gumption to do something with their life.
The reality is that your mob are simply another tired old reincarnation of the communist and anarchist movement. You have nothing positive to offer on the environment. You have nothing positive to offer on equality. You have nothing positive to offer toward peace. You have nothing but negative viewpoints. You see nothing but problems and strife in the world. You see conspiracies everywhere. You take no responsiblity for your actions. It is always someone elses fault. Everyone is telling lies but you.
I would offer you the same advice that I offered your mob a few weeks ago. If you honestly know of a place where your communist ideals are being met then why aren't you living there? You simply don't have the courage of your convictions do you? It is all well and good to live in a strong capitalist system and to bag it but actually living under a real communist regime? No way. You are gutless!
So far the only policy you have sparked up on was the pushbike one. You have had no sensible argument or refutation against any of the other charges laid against you by the Herald Sun or anyone else. So, again, I was wrong when I used the word "force". Now it's time to admit where you have been wrong.
Get something through your head and understand it. The vast majority of Australians reject your ideologies outright. Stop thinking of yourself as an elite with all the answers and see yourself for what you really are. A bitter and cynical communist.
You are finally coming under genuine scrutiny and you're all shitting your pants & crying like adolescent girls.
Grow up!
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