The Netherlands: Opening of the new parliament year: The Netherlands is strong, but more people should feel benefits, says the king

The Netherlands is a strong country but more people should feel that things are going well, king Willem-Alexander said on on Tuesday, as he outlined the government’s agenda for the next year to MPs and senators.

It is, the king said, "75 years ago that the Netherlands was liberated and the country which has been built up since then is a strong one, thanks to its democratic values, its healthcare, its education and the fact that people have roof over their heads."

The government wants to further improve this strong land,’ the king said. ‘The economic values are right and in 2019 the economy will grow for the sixth year in a row.’

‘This is therefore the time to decide what direction we should take,’ the king said. ‘To make choices that afford us room to manoeuvre and give us security, both in the here-and-now and for future generations. More people should have a tangible sense that things are going well: at home, at work and in their neighborhood.’

The Netherlands is strong, but more people should feel benefits, says king - DutchNews.nl

Trans Fats: Canada: farewell to trans fats ?

Farewell Trans Fats? Canada Trans Fats banished from store shelves

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The Netherlands - Free Market Forces in Health-Care and Education not benefitting Netherlands consumers - by RM

After returning back home from America to the Netherlands, it struck me how incredibly passive the Dutch population reacts to many decisions of their Government, which unfortunately, usually negatively affects the "pocketbooks" of the average Dutch citizen.

Particularly, because when these decisions are announced, the  Dutch Government gives little or often no clear explanation, about the nature or reasons for these decisions. Their catch words usually are, either to improve the economy or to cut costs.

One example is the Dutch Health-Care system, which was changed a few years ago from a government controlled Universal Health-Care program, to a "Market controlled version, now mainly controlled by Insurance companies.

According to a recently held opinion poll, however, a majority (more than 60%) of the Dutch population wants to return to the old system of Universal Health-Care, since the new system, now run by Insurance companies has steadily increased their costs for affordable Health-Care .

In the field of education, Dutch students, who used to be able to apply for a free scholarship, which they did not have to pay off, after they successfully had completed their educational program, now have to pay back their scholarship through a loan program, including interest.

Unfortunately, many Dutch politicians, and large companies have abused the concept of "market forces" to create the suggestion of freedom and honesty.

A truly free market offers advantages, but with economic "spins and gibberish", as it does now, it certainly does not.

Bottom - line, the Dutch citizen is now at the mercy of a few large suppliers - and the so-called benefits of the market forces do not end up being tangible economic benefits to them .

The Netherlands economy, unfortunately,  is starting to look more and more like that of the US, and that certainly is a scary idea. 

Isn't it time to man the barricades?

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EU-Digest

Hungary: EU lawmakers vote with overwhelming majority against Hungary over rule of law

EU lawmakers move against Hungary over rule of law

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EU: The Netherlands moves to allow dual citizenship by 2019

The Dutch government is currently reviewing the country’s nationality law as part of an effort to allow dual citizenship by the spring of 2019.

According to Justice Minister Mark Harbers, the plan is to widen the Netherlands’ criteria for dual nationality. At present, naturalised Dutch citizens must renounce the nationality of their country of origin, unless they are married to a Dutch national.

The Netherlands is following in the steps of similar legislation that has been passed in Germany as most of the EU Member States prepare for Brexit.

The new law will allow first-generation migrants in the Netherlands to be holders of more than one passport, a move that would affect 87,000 first- and second-generation UK nationals living in the Netherlands. At the same time, children of Dutch nationals living abroad will not be forced to make a mutually exclusive choice about their nationality.

Up to 100,000 Dutch nationals living in the UK stand to have their children lose access to their EU citizenship if comprehensive reform regarding dual nationality is not in place prior to or immediately after Brexit comes into effect in March 2019. The Dutch government hopes to have completed the reform during the UK’s transition period out of the European Union through December 2020.

Read  more:The Netherlands moves to allow dual citizenship by 2019

USA. Christians Donald Trump's refugees legislation also creates problems for his Christian supporters

Number of Christian refugees admitted to U.S. plummets under Trump.

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Netherlands the Hague - The International Criminal Court: John Bolton says U.S. will not cooperate with International Criminal Court

The Hague-The Intl. Criminal Court

The United States will not in any way cooperate with the International Criminal Court, national security adviser John Bolton announced in a speech to the Federalist Society on Monday, blasting the ICC as an unaccountable, bureaucratic body that runs counter to the U.S. Constitution and is "antithetical to our nation's ideals."

The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal located in The Hague, Netherlands.

In his first speech as national security adviser, Bolton made the case that the ICC's authority is invalid, subverts American sovereignty, and concentrates power in the hands of an unchecked authority in a way that is "antithetical to our nation's ideals." In November, the ICC prosecutor asked to investigate crimes allegedly committed by members of the U.S. military who served in Afghanistan.

Bolton called those claims unfounded. The national security adviser said it was no coincidence he made his speech on the ICC one day before the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

"Today, on the eve of September 11th, I want to deliver a clear and unambiguous message on behalf of the President of the United States," Bolton said. "The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court.We will not cooperate with the ICC," Bolton said. "We will provide no assistance to the ICC. And we certainly will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us."

Note EU-Digest: How much deeper can the US Trump Administration sink on the International scene. The ICC has prosecuted numerous murderous dictators and other international criminals, who have committed genocide.  The Organization is a "beacon of hope" to many oppressed people around the world, that sooner or later, those who commit crimes against humanity, will be caught and prosecuted.

Read More: John Bolton says U.S. will not cooperate with International Criminal Court - CBS News