It borders on a pro Euro religious fanaticism diametrically opposed to the anti Euro fanaticism discussed in this thread.
She said
"Norwegians would not take a reduction in bank guarantees lightly"
That is a fact. She did NOT say there had been one, and is full of admiration at Migeru's forensic ability at getting to the truth of it.
Nor is the minister "full of shit", I think, but she is trying to ensure that Norway's position is not compromised. The article makes clear that nothing has been decided.
Pick on somebody your own size, Jerome. "Any economic unit can emit money. The serious problem is to get it accepted" Hyman Minsky
Solveig also put her character judgement of the minister over my forensic evidence, by all accounts in this thread so far.
There is no pro-Europe fanaticism in this thread. Bullshit was called on the press and the politicians, and evidence was presented to back the call. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
Halvorsen forsvarer innskuddsgarantien (Makro og politikk )
I Norge har man mye bedre garanti for innskudd enn i de fleste EU-land. Etter finanskrisen har det nylig gått opp for EU at dette kan skape konkurransefortrinn for enkelte banker. Grunnen til dette er at innskyterne ønsker å plassere penger i banker med god sikkerhet, skriver Dagbladet.
- to make sure that the Norwegian guarantees would not have to be reduced.
This is called 'participation in the process', I believe. She did not say that they will be lowered, but that she was there to make Norway's views heard.
The article I first linked to does not state that a decision has been made on the guarantees. (But there is a hint that particularly the Swedes would like to see a cap on these - there are many Norwegian banks in Sweden, of course).
I seems that both you and Jerome have an uninformed view of the Norwegian main stream press. It is not particularly anti-EU. The papers I read tend to be on the 'Yes' to EU side.
I don't think the Norwegian attitudes towards the EU are all that different from the Danish or Swedish ones, by the way. And even the pro-EU press in EU Member states consistently misreports the EU political process, especially when the "national interest" gets involved.
Finally, you might want to do us the courtesy of doing a rough translation of Norwegian press snippets when you post one. I can probably read Norwegian at the level of a 4 year old, but most others on the site are not so fortunate. Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
You asked for a link, and I looked for an English version, but could not find one. I would have translated if I had known where it would lead...:-).
Normally, as you know, the few times I do make a comment, I find an English version for the benefit of non-Norwegian speakers.
A reminder that zero ratings should be used very carefully - see the FAQ:
The main use of the system is to hide comments from trolls, i.e. needlessly provocative, insulting or personal, and NOT to go into silly ego wars when commenters downrate each other. Remember, ratings should not be used to express disagreement with a comment, but only to flag aggressivity or provocative words.
The use of zero ratings in this thread has been unwarranted (a 2 would have sufficed in making your feelings known), especially given that others challenged the tone of some comments without resorting to abusing the ratings system, and that an apology has been given. Ad astra per aspera
Interference from the EU keeps wrecking good systems Norwegians have had for years, and the EU is therefore viewed by many as an 'empire' whose rules we are forced to follow. The present battle is about the guarantees on bank deposits. Norway is now asked (forced?) to reduce their present level (2 mill. NoK, which has been in place since the bank crises in the 90's) to the level recently set by the EU countries. No wonder the 'no' side in Norway does not even have to do anything to see their numbers grow :-)
The present battle is about the guarantees on bank deposits. Norway is now asked (forced?) to reduce their present level (2 mill. NoK, which has been in place since the bank crises in the 90's) to the level recently set by the EU countries.
No wonder the 'no' side in Norway does not even have to do anything to see their numbers grow :-)
there is the weasely "is viewed by many" for the empire claim, but there is no such qualification for EU "keeps wrecking good systems": I think my words were even tamer than what Solveig used.
Look, it's fine to be euroskeptic, just don't expect any sympathy when you bring up stuff which is obviously false, or that basic research, as demonstrated by Mig, can easily prove to be wrong, especially when you hide behind "but she's someone I like" as a defense.
I'm sure you'll say that there are other real examples of EU imposing horrible rules that are destroying the way of life of the Norwegians. But it's so easy for a small country to freeride on the EU and then moan that its very independance is threatened at every turn. All I can say is: enjoy the luxury, don't expect sympathy. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Jerome a Paris:
when you bring up stuff which is obviously false, or that basic research, as demonstrated by Mig, can easily prove to be wrong, especially when you hide behind "but she's someone I like" as a defense.
If you read the thread, Mig has not proved anything that was not already in the article I unfortunately did not translate - it states that the final decision has not yet been made - and that is the conclusion Mig came to, as well, if I read him correctly.
I also linked to another article on the topic from 4 December, where it states that the minister was in Brussels to make sure Norway can keep its guarantees - in other words, she went to participate in the EU decision-making process. Why would she bother about travelling to Brussels if there was no possibility Norway could be obliged to reduce its guarantees?
especially when you hide behind "but she's someone I like" as a defense.
Here you go again, Jerome: you assume things about me - in this case that `I like her'...
For your information: I do not `like' or `dislike' people I do not know. But I do observe. With regard to politicians, I look at their policies, and the way they conduct themselves in the public sphere. In the case of this particular minister, I have observed her for several years, and she has done a decent job without meeting too much criticism from any political faction. For a (very) left wing finance minister, that is a feat, I would say.
From what you write in many of your articles, I believe you would approve of how she handles the Norwegian economy given the constraints within which she must act. In fact, from what you write, it seems that many of the economic policies that you promote are similar to the ones the Norwegian government has in place, or follows.
In other words: many of the policies you promote for the EU - for instance, routine nationalisation of delinquent banks - are for a large part in place in Norway.
To me, it is ironic to read your EU policy suggestions on the one hand, and experience your fierce antagonism when I argue that some of the EU policies Norway has agreed that it will follow IMHO are negative for the country.
I'm sure you'll say that there are other real examples of EU imposing horrible rules that are destroying the way of life of the Norwegians. But it's so easy for a small country to freeride on the EU and then moan that its very independance is threatened at every turn. All I can say is: enjoy the luxury, don't expect sympathy.
Yes, Jerome, you are right on this one: I could mention several `horrible rules' (although I would not express it in that way) that Norwegians would rather be without. For instance in relation to property rights, ownership of public assets, and private sector access. Ironically, they are more or less exactly the same as those you wish the EU to change!
When you mention 'freeride', I think you are on thin ice. The EEA agreement is certainly not free, either in money terms or in societal/community terms.
And be sure about one thing: I do not expect 'sympathy' for my views. I do, however, expect a civilised dialogue - particularly on matters upon which we do not necessarily fully agree. It is my view that there is a distinct absence of that on ET, whenever an unconventional or outside view of the EU is expressed, even lightly in an Open Thread, as in this case...!
Apology accepted, and I apologise for the harshness of the last sentence in my previous post...
