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Energy Poverty Reaches Working Class

by Oui Thu Sep 15th, 2022 at 09:46:18 AM EST

Free Market mechanism of the Conservative Liberals VVD of Mark Rutte ...

No resilience build-in after years of austerity for the lower class and preference treatment of business, financials and mega corporations. Tax benefits and covert deals with Dutch tax authority.

As wealth grows in Dutch financial hub Amsterdam, Rotterdam port, Utrecht University city, and the high-tech areas of Delft-Eindhoven-Twente.


Translation:
New group of ’working poor' knocks at the office door of debt counselors due to energy crisis. Dutch debt counselors increasingly face threats from customers who are hard hit by rising energy bills, inflation and cost of living. People who were already in a bind are now getting desperate. "People are looking for help who never did that before," said Marco Florijn, chairman of the Dutch Association for Financial Aid Providers (NVVK).

Dutch cabinet plans to pay poor citizens’ energy debts

The cabinet is finalising a plan to help people who cannot afford to pay their energy bills as prices continue to rise, Dutch media NOS reported.

The plan is to help people who can no longer afford to pay their energy bills and risk having their energy cut off. According to NOS, sources in The Hague say this plan could come into action as early as this year before winter arrives.

In the Netherlands, one million households are currently dealing with financial troubles due to rising energy prices. About 600,000 of these homes had reported never having financial difficulties before. Now, these homes have had to deal with debt counselling to get rid of these debts, which is expensive for the government.

Governing is defined as looking forward, be ready for eventualities, put controls in place to regulate public utilities as basic needs of all citizens ...

It is hard to tell how many people are affected by energy poverty in Europe. According to Eurostat, around 31 million Europeans lived in energy poverty last year -2020- but the EU executive's own research body put the number at 50 million people in 2019.

The problem is that there is currently no EU-wide definition of energy poverty.

EU Social Climate Fund report

We want decarbonisation, not de-industrialisation of Europe | EPP |

Display:
Lowest poll rating ever ... since nine years ago and austerity measures ...

Gets a 3.3 out of 10 for leadership ... voters finally seeing him who he is ... a charlatan for big business but not for you and me!

Opinion poll: Devastating report figure of 3.3 for cabinet, majority prefers new elections

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Sep 17th, 2022 at 02:15:19 AM EST
Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah!!

Did the Dutch never understand what Libertarian Conservative policy of Mark Rutte was all about? In January this year new cabinet Rutte IV had promoted a spending spree ... hosanna the economy is performing as the best of the West.

New Dutch coalition agreement is farewell to frugality | Dec. 15, 2021 |

A new coalition agreement in the Netherlands has been published after the longest negotiation process ever for the country. Climate change, environment protection, housing, education, childcare and lower taxation are the economic priorities. With larger public deficits, we're seeing a change to the traditionally frugal Dutch stance.

Dutch Prime Minister has hired the largest group of PR people ... and top notch lawyers as advising team. Totally fake ...

Rightwing populist leader, xenophobe, racist policy, business lobby, Tory and Trump in One. 😠

Will Rutte's Falsehoods Catch Up With Him?

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Sep 17th, 2022 at 01:38:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

There is little confidence in the ministers who were also part of the Rutte III cabinet. Many people see them as 'unreliable'.

🔸Wopke Hoekstra 20%

🔸Mark Rutte 18%

🔸Hugo de Jonge 17%

🔸Sigrid Kaag 16%

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Sep 17th, 2022 at 02:06:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Many voters of coalition parties also prefer to go to the polls again.
Voters:
CDA: 62%
CU: 55%
VVD: 41%
D66: 37%

Read here why they think so ⤵️

Cabinet get low marks for performance and decision making, majority prefers new elections

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sat Sep 17th, 2022 at 02:08:46 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Failed to agree on lowering gas price for consumers and business. Unwilling to offer a compensation schema this year ... on Tuesday the budget and policy initiatives for 2023 must be presented to Parliament ... Prinsjesdag

Twelve months ago ...

Dutch Finance Minister considers options to combat energy crisis| | Oct. 8, 2021 |

Dutch energy prices have risen sharply over the past 12 months as a result of a natural gas shortage across Europe and depleting stocks in the Netherlands. Some families and businesses have already been confronted with significantly higher energy bills, and the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) is demanding the cabinet take action. 

As an EU summit sent Prime Minister Mark Rutte to Slovenia to discuss the bloc's energy crisis, Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra announced that he would do "whatever it takes" to prevent people from facing high energy bills, and that he "expect[s] the cabinet will intervene" in order to tackle the growing issue.

While the cabinet's policies are yet to be determined, sources in The Hague have confirmed that the cabinet is prepared to invest billions into combating the crisis.

Dutch energy prices continue to rise at alarming rate | Oct. 6, 2021 |

A few weeks ago, Dutch energy companies confirmed that, thanks to rising demand and an increasing shortage of natural gas across Europe, the Netherlands would see energy prices reach near-unaffordable levels for many families. Now, figures reveal that the price increase is happening at a much faster rate than predicted. 

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Sun Sep 18th, 2022 at 08:27:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
As usual, reporting on policy and energy goals with statistics are excellent. Translated into reality for the poor less so.

    In the six years since our last fuel poverty strategy, more than 17 million smart meters have been installed, new price caps have protected millions from poor value tariffs and the Government has committed in law to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In the large economies of the UK, Germany and France consumers had some protection by setting price caps for electricity and natural gas. The Dutch are paying the "free market" price and more than double the energy price in Germany. Ridiculous doesn't meet the pain of the poorest living in substandard old homes with energy label F.

In The Netherlands the rich reap the investment subsidies for improvements such as home insulation and solar panels. The landlords of social housing are scum ...

Energy-poor households  are those households that experience inadequate energy services due to high energy prices, low household incomes, inefficient buildings and appliances, and specific household energy needs, vulnerabilities and practices. Households in the social housing sector are likely more vulnerable to energy poverty, because they generally have less financial resources - or lack motivation - to invest in improving the energy performance of their homes.

I remember the 1973 oil boycot and the crisis. The Dutch government started a campaign to subsidize home owners for improvements insulation and double glazing. Than there was a long period of high inflation, high mortgages rates followed by recession, unemployment and all energy goals were halted.

The planet is dying ... 🌎 stop stupid wars.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Sep 19th, 2022 at 08:18:25 AM EST


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Sep 19th, 2022 at 08:19:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]

In this updated version of the classic WWI story, a German schoolboy named Paul and his school friends enlist in the army, only to find themselves to be little more than cannon fodder as the war goes on and on, without an end in sight.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Related reading, a book review ...

The Most Loved and Hated Novel About World War I | Smitsonian History |

An international bestseller, Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front was banned and burned in Nazi Germany

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Mon Sep 19th, 2022 at 09:26:45 AM EST
An international bestseller, Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front was banned and burned in Nazi Germany

In the first volume of his autobiography (p.338, Hebrew original), Uri Avnery says that, reading it as a teenager in Germany, made him enthusiastic about the military life. The conventional version you give may not completely reflect the book's reception at the time.

Avnery tells this story after hearing some kids express enthusiasm about the  1948 war after reading "in the Fields of Philistia" which was intended as an antiwar book, and how that led him to write "The other side of the coin".

by gk (gk (gk quattro due due sette @gmail.com)) on Tue Sep 20th, 2022 at 07:48:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 09:28:59 AM EST


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 09:29:47 AM EST
Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag recently stated the high inflation rate is temporary. The Dutch needs a fudge factor to lower the published inflation rate ...

Inflation hit 17% in September, another record high

Daily life became 17.1 percent more expensive on average in September, again breaking the record for highest inflation ever in the Netherlands. Statistics Netherlands reported this in an initial estimate using the harmonized European measurement method. In August, inflation was 13.7 percent on an annual basis.

Inflation has been very high for months because gas and electricity prices have risen sharply. But those higher energy costs are also increasingly affecting food prices.

The figure according to the harmonized European method is always higher than Statistics Netherlands' own method. That figure won't be released until next week. It includes housing costs like rent. The European method doesn't take that into account. The European method was devised to make it easier to compare inflation in different countries.

Statistics Netherlands calculates energy prices based on new contracts. That means actual inflation may be lower because not all households had to sign a new energy contract in September. The stats office is working on a new method of measuring and calculating energy prices to map out their development in a more "refined way".



'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 09:30:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 09:31:24 AM EST
Sputnik | Indian Firm Hit by US Sanctions Over Trade With Iran as Talks on JCPOA Revival Stalled, 30 Sep Dale Carnegie School of Diplomatic Racketeering
The US Treasury Department on Thursday sanctioned a group of brokers and entities in India, China, Hong Kong[-China], and the United Arab Emirates over what Washington claims to be "illicit" sale of Iran's oil & petrochemicals.

In India, the sanctions targeted the Mumbai-based petrochemical company Tibalaji Petrochem Private Limited for allegedly purchasing ["]Triliance-brokered["] petrochemical products, including methanol and base oil, worth millions of dollars for onward shipment to China.
[...]
The firm offers "prompt delivery of bulk requirements on a high seas/bond transfer basis" and completes "Retail or Small requirements on a local tax basis."
The sanctions were announced shortly after Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar returned from his 10-day trip to the US [UNGA], where he held meetings with several US officials, including Blinken [!], Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin [!], and Commerce Secretary Gail Raimondo [!].

Sitting next to Blinken on Wednesday [28 Sep], Jaishankar urged the US to "soften up" the stressed "energy markets."

"Countries in the Global South have found it difficult to compete for limited energy, not just in terms of pricing, escalating pricing, but often in terms of availability. There are tenders - countries have had tenders for which they don't even get a reply from suppliers," Jaishankar noted....

US Treasury | Treasury Targets Financial and Shipping Facilitators of Iranian Petrochemicals and Petroleum Sales, 29 Sep Kiss of Death
enabling two sanctioned Iranian brokers, Triliance Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (Triliance) and Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industry Commercial Co. (PGPICC), to transfer funds and ship Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals to buyers in Asia. In addition to OFAC's designations, the Department of State is designating two entities based in the People's Republic of China (PRC), Zhonggu Storage and Transportation Co. Ltd.[,] and WS Shipping Co. Ltd., for their involvement in Iran's petrochemical trade.

"The United States is committed to severely restricting Iran's illicit oil and petrochemical sales," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson; "So long as Iran refuses a mutual return to full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOA], the United States will continue to enforce [unilateral] sanctions on the sale of Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products."
[...]
Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846 and follows OFAC's August 1, 2022 designation of companies supporting Iranian petrochemical conglomerate PGPICC; the July 6, 2022 designation of a Persian Gulf-based network facilitating Iranian petrochemical and petroleum sales; and a June 16, 2022 action targeting an International Sanctions Evasion Network™ supporting Iranian petrochemical sales in East Asia.
[...]
Sanctions Implications

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. In addition, any entitties that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States) that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or designated persons.

In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entitties designated today may themselves be EXPOSED to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action. Furthermore, unless an exception applies, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a significant transaction or provides significant financial services for any of the individuals or entities designated today could be subject to U.S. sanctions [because®].

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with [US] law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior....

India's Statement delivered by the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar at the General Debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, 25 Sep
by Cat on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 02:54:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
If you are not with us unconditionally, you are with the enemy 😡

U.S. administrations after Gorbachev: Clinton-Bush-Obama-Trump via Congress-Biden w/o exception.

'Sapere aude'

by Oui (Oui) on Fri Sep 30th, 2022 at 04:58:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
C-SPAN | Senators Graham [R-SC] and Blumenthal [D-CT] News Conference on Russia Annexation Resolution, 29 Sep, running time 00:24:37

CNS Maryland | Senators would sanction nations recognizing Russian annexation of Ukraine territory, 30 Sep, feat. Pelosi's purse dog

"These referenda were orchestrated through violence and coercion, with the results predetermined according to Putin's designs long before the first ballots were forced," [House Majority Leader Steny] Hoyer [D-MD-5] said in a statement. "Their results reflect nothing less than his desperation in the face of military defeats and have no connection to the will of the people living in those areas."
[...]
"No economic aid, no military aid to any country that recognizes this annexation," [Blumenthal] said. The bipartisan legislation is being offered in two forms, as a stand-alone bill and as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act [NDAA 2023], which is expected to be taken up after the November elections.
[...]
"You will have a choice here. If you side with Putin to recognize his illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine, you will lose all support from the United States and we'll do everything in our power to marginalize you on the world stage," Graham, R-South Carolina, said....
Washington Examiner | Graham and Blumenthal seek to punish countries that recognize Russian annexation in Ukraine, 29 Sep
Graham said Putin is attempting to redraw the map of Europe through the use of arms where he could not through a legitimate political process.
< wipes tears >
"The last thing you can do when you're bullied is give in to the bully," Graham said, accusing Putin of "nuclear blackmail" after the Russian leader threatened to use nuclear weapons to achieve his ends....
extortion
Blumenthal and Graham's legislation would require the president to cut off all economic and military assistance immediately to any nations that recognize Russia's annexation of the territories. They also introduced a Senate resolution affirming that the Senate refuses to recognize any claim of sovereignty by the Russian Federation over any portion of Ukraine, condemning a globally rejected referendum directed by the Russian government as a ["]violation of international law["].

The pair of lawmakers earlier this month also introduced the Russia is a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act, which would designate the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism under existing [US] law.

EFF | The Graham-Blumenthal Bill Is an Attack on Online Speech and Security, 10 Mar 2020 pandemic EARN IT bromance
archived UNSC: Trump Pushes for Sanctons on Iran, LQD: US Federal Law Eats World

reference
lgraham.senate.gov | Ensuring Ukrainian Sovereignty Act, 29 Sep draft text
"The full text of the legislation can be found here. The full text of the resolution can be found here."
H.R.7205 - Ukrainian Sovereignty Act of 2022, sponsor D.Dingel (D-MI-12)
To amend Title 28, United States Code, to ensure those who incur losses as a result of hostile invasion in Europe have access to the United States courts to recover damages[] and for other purposes--"Europe" defined, totally excludes ROW subject to pile of EU, US mil occupations, "non party" sanctions, AND the Inflation Reduction Act!

by Cat on Sun Oct 2nd, 2022 at 04:06:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 10th, 2022 at 11:32:37 AM EST


'Sapere aude'
by Oui (Oui) on Mon Oct 10th, 2022 at 11:33:29 AM EST
[ Parent ]


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