Time to vote
It is voting day here in the Netherlands and it's the first time I'm using my right to vote.
I have been allowed to vote for 10 years now. In that time, I've never used this right, because I know nothing of politics and with the amount of parties we have to pick from here, it seemed like an impossible job to get into. I never watched daily news and wasn't interested in actualities. I'm still not, to be honest.
However! We have our own Dutch version of Trump now. And in these troubling times of clashing cultures and streems of immigrants, I feel we all need to do what we can to make sure we don't end up like the US of A. For me, that is voting, to try and make sure his party does not become the biggest one.
My knowledge of today's news and problems still doesn't go deep and to be completely honest, I definitely see the appeal of voting for a Trump like person. I did a couple of online tests and his party always came as my second favorite (out of tens of parties). I'm sure that says something about my view on things. I agree with a lot of things they stand for, but many people have stated: He points out the soar spots, but he doesn't propose any solutions. I agree that problems with immigrants and clashing cultures need to be taken seriously and something needs to change. However, the amount of negativity he brings into the country is not a good thing.
My view on throwing together a lot of people into a tiny country with lots of different cultures and backgrounds is this: It doesn't works! Honestly, the differences in values and believes is too strong and it has been proven many times. If someone wants to stay in a country, they should adjust to this countries values and standards. If they don't, I feel they should just leave. If someone is running away from home, because they are not safe there, they should adjust to where they end up. Be glad they found a safe haven and lay low. I completely understand wanting to follow the money and end up in a country that gives the best possible life for you and your family. Fine, but just accept that this country does things differently than what you're used to and adjust. When you do that, I don't have any problems with you. There's enough people who have done this successfully.
However, they will still have a harder time fitting in and getting accepted by the locals, but that is completely understandable. You cannot expect people to be compassionate about people they don't personally know. Especially not when "their kind" has caused a lot of trouble, aswell. Look at all the people who fail to accept new values and standards.
That's basically why I feel we should be more strict. Seeking asseylum here? You're welcome to join! Just behave and trust we're doing everything we can with the resources we have. You're not the only one needing our help. Decided to rape a girl? Have fun in your home country, you're not welcome here anymore. Shouldn't that be a no-brainer? It just feels like we let too much slide.
There's also the thing about people here being afraid of losing our own culture. Like an innocent sweet pastry having to change names, because it is 'offensive'. Or a simple children's party getting all this grief, just because his jolly helpers are black. I don't see anyone being mad at santa for having little helpers.
People here (and throughout the world, it seems) place too high of a value on the word discrimination. Yes, it sucks that you're a minority in a country and that you might have a harder time fitting in, but don't use that as an excuse to act out and don't blame your misfortune on it. Instead, rise above it. Be a stand-up citizen and build your career. Give 'your people' a better name, not a worse one! That's the best way to overcome this in the end, with positivity. I'm not sitting here whining that men get more opportunities than women do. Also, why is everyone allowed to make fun of 'white people'? They are minorities in some parts of the world aswell. And what about all of our Belgian jokes or blonde jokes? Shouldn't that be classified as discrimination? Is religion not a good enough reason to start wars anymore? Do we need a new best thing and discrimination fits the bill?
Yes, there are plenty of reasons for people to be scared of the future, the simple safety of their children and the loss of their culture. I just don't feel negativity is the way to go.
So back to the start. I'm voting today for the first time in my life and it won't be a vote for negativity. I'm sure his party will end up being one of the biggest anyway and I'm not quite sure I can blame the Dutch people for this. At the very least, I understand where they're coming from. Let's just hope there are enough other votes to balance things out. I'll be voting for a left-ish party.
In other news...
Bah, I've got this cold and it's very annoying! My throat aches and I've been having this major headache for almost two days now.
I'm sorry if this post offends anyone, that is ofcourse not my intention. For now, though, it's a free world and sometimes, I just need to vent a little and throw my opinion out there. We're all Steemians here and I'm glad to be a part of this community!
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The outcome will be interesting! I am very curious ....Vote Vote Vote !
I'm very curious aswell!
@playfulfoodie hij is verloren - ik kies voor Partij voor de dieren actually - i wrote VVD at ocrdu's hahah
I agree with you on the many points you stated here.
Am an alien here and I went through the right process of integration.
I still am cautious of my dealings with people here despite that because I respect the Dutch - I have only been shown kindness by the your people - I mean pure Dutch - so I honestly also don't get how some of the newcomers act and speak like they do - as if the Dutch owe them.
I can't blame your people - in my country - it's also "eigen volk eerst"!
Did you vote for the old guy - SP?
I'm so happy he didn't win! I voted for PvdA, because that's what the tests online told me was a good way to go for me. I guess not many people agreed, huh :-)
I can really understand it being harder to fit in when you're not Dutch originally. I just can't understand the way some newcomers act, like you said. I have no problem with foreigners coming here and contributing to society. Honestly, there's pure Dutchies messing up just as much as foreigners. It's not about the different groups for me, it's how the individual acts.
How long have you been in this little country of ours? How'd you end up here?
@playfulfoodie I didn't have a hard time fitting in - and yes there are naughties everywhere in the world.
How long? secret :D hahah but quite long
how did I end up here - I fell in love with a very nice kaaskop - I married him :D and still very much in love going stronger :D
I tried to fight love (but to no avail - 2 forces you'd better not mess with in this life - mother nature and that thing called love) because that meant I have to give up everything I have in the Philippines specially my career there and start all over again here and learn the language hahah maar het valt allemaal mee - gewoon gedaan! Allemaal goed gegaan - I think because I teach English and the Dutch language is quite similar to it vocabulary wise and the grammar structure is the only thing I had to work with - the pronunciation was and is sometimes still a freaking challenge hahaha but I don't care.
I love it here I think you could tell from my posts huh? hahah
Actually, your country is very open to other people and don't worry though it's a small country - the number of people is still not much compared to our 87 M so don't worry. The living cost here is too expensive though - that is the deal I guess, unless the living cost gets cheaper many will be trapped in the rat race unless they change their mindset financially. The growing population is not a problem if the number of people contributing is greater than that of just depending (specially financially). If that would be the case - inflation will come like a whirlwind.
I didn't have a hard time fitting in - I was brought up with a Western Orientation by my very modern parents - though I grew up with a very conventional grandparents my over the top liberated mother had more influence on me so I didn't really have a problem fitting in - just like water - my mother said - be like H20 it could fit in whatever shape of a container you put it in. It just goes on with the flow - but I'm not a crowd follower just so you know. haha
Great to hear you didn't have a hard time here and I'm very happy you found yourself a nice 'kaas kop' to move to this country for. Must have been hard to leave everything behind, so I'm sure he's great enough to be worth such a change!
I'm lucky enough to live in the north, which is probably a much different mindset and environment compared to the west. I don't think I'd like living there with so many people. There's already such a rushed lifestyle. I think it would be even worse in the west. I love all the nature I have around me in the north for some peace and quiet :-)
Not being a crowd follower is a good thing in my book. I'm not really one myself, either ;-)
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wonder which direction the mob will go
So do I. I hope there'll be enough balance.