Norway's Red Dawn

[Ryokan]

Monday september 12th we had a parliament election here in Norway.

The results are now in, and although it was a very close call, the parliament majority went to the red-green alliance, which consists of Labour (62 seats), The Socialist Party (15 seats) and the Center Party (11 seats). (Total = 169 seats)

What follows now is that these three parties will get together and agree on politics, then form a new administration.

Now, although Labour is huge compared to the other two parties, an agreement on politics is essential to get majority in the parliament to form the administration.

There's some obstacles to that, though. And many of those obstacles come from the Socialist party, who, amongst other things, have in their program that 'USA is the biggest threat to world peace'.

As well as being extremely anti-USA, they are also anti-NATO, anti-Israel and anti-EU.

I guess Norway now can start to say farewell to all our friends in the world.

Signed, Comrade Ryokan.

 

[Orwell]

I wouldn't worry: parties in opposition tend to sound a lot more radical then they really are when in opposition... If they want a piece of the cake, they will compromise.

 

[RandFan]

I guess Norway now can start to say farewell to all our friends in the world.

Signed, Comrade Ryokan.

Hang tough. Were on our way. You're going to have to get in line behind Denmark though. And North Korea is way ahead of you.

 

[delphi_ote]

WOLVERINES!

 

[Ryokan]

If they want a piece of the cake, they will compromise.

This is true, and even thought the Socialists are very radical, they'll have to compromise a lot to go into a coalition with the huge Labour party.

But, as I also said, Labour needs the socialists. Without them, they don't have majority in the parliament. So they will also have to compromise.

The first compromise, something the socialists deem essential to cooperation, is withdrawal of our (very few) soldiers from Iraq.

 

[Orwell]

This is true, and even thought the Socialists are very radical, they'll have to compromise a lot to go into a coalition with the huge Labour party.

But, as I also said, Labour needs the socialists. Without them, they don't have majority in the parliament. So they will also have to compromise.

The first compromise, something the socialists deem essential to cooperation, is withdrawal of our (very few) soldiers from Iraq.

That seems like a good idea regardless...

 

[peptoabysmal]

Nah. Don't get too worked up. We don't feel Norway is a threat to anyone.

 

[Ryokan]

Nah. Don't get too worked up. We don't feel Norway is a threat to anyone.

Hey, we've got all that oil, you know, being the third largest oil exporting country, so we're all expecting someone to come for our 'weapons of mass destruction' at any time

 

[Phrost]

My step-daughter's over there now, living with her dad and going to school somewhere outside Oslo. I should probably pay more attention to the politics, especially if there's a growing wave of "OMG AMERIKKKA" garbage as you apparently seem to think there is.

God I hate Socialists. Passive-aggressive little twits who couldn't make their own way in life and weasel it away from those who can through the force of government.

 

[Bjorn]

1. Norway has had a conservative priest as Prime Minister for quite a while. He did OK.

2. Norway has had quite 'red' governments earlier. They did OK.

3. Norwegian Labour Party has a tradition of being

a) Pro US
b) Pro NATO
c) Pro EU

I guess Norway will keep most of its friends. At least as long as the oil lasts.

 

[Bjorn]

God I hate Socialists. Passive-aggressive little twits who couldn't make their own way in life and weasel it away from those who can through the force of government.

I don't think you know Norwegian "socialists".

Quite a few people who really made their own way in life (and became millionaires doing so) are not only voting for, but actively promoting the Labour Party.

 

[Freakshow]

I don't think you know Norwegian "socialists".

Quite a few people who really made their own way in life (and became millionaires doing so) are not only voting for, but actively promoting the Labour Party.

I don't like those socialists, either. If they want to give away more of their own money, then fine. Do it. Don't make me do it, too. I'm sure if they voluntarily contributed more than they owe in taxe, the government won't refuse it.

Or would they?

 

[CFLarsen]

I guess Norway now can start to say farewell to all our friends in the world.

Name one.

 

[Bjorn]

I don't like those socialists, either. If they want to give away more of their own money, then fine. Do it. Don't make me do it, too.

I don't think you know the (tiny) difference between Norwegian 'socialists' and non-socialists.

I'm sure if they voluntarily contributed more than they owe in taxe, the government won't refuse it.

Or would they?

I don't know about the government, but this Labour Party voter and billionaire (and one of the most succesful businessmen ever) Trond Mohn, certainly puts his money where his mouth is:

The businessman from Bergen has donated altogether almost half a billion Norwegian kroner for different research purposes at UoB, Haukeland University Hospital and the Nansen Centre. In December 2004 Mohn handed over a gift of NOK 250 million to UoB.

 

[CFLarsen]

Hey, we've got all that oil, you know, being the third largest oil exporting country, so we're all expecting someone to come for our 'weapons of mass destruction' at any time

They should go for your food first.

 

[Leif Roar]

They should go for your food first.

They'll get our frozen pizzas when they pry them from our cold, dead fingers!

 

[Mid]

Re: Re: Norway's Red Dawn

Name one.

They give the UK a Christmas tree every year which makes them somewhat popular

 

[Orwell]

God I hate Socialists. Passive-aggressive little twits who couldn't make their own way in life and weasel it away from those who can through the force of government.

Oh boy, then you apparently hate me! I usually describe myself as a social democrat when talking politics (because, for many americans, socialist means soviet style communist), but that's a kind of socialism, innit? I can assure you, I am neither passive-aggressive nor, I think, a twit. I have been making my own way in life for quite a while now, thank you!

That display of prejudice is not indicative of a high level of scepticism.

 

[Mike B.]

Why would the government get the boot?

Isn't Norway the #1 place to live according to the UN?

Sheesh...Some people are never happy!!!

Is Norway bucking the Scandanavian liberal trend?

hmmmm...

 

[bjornart]

The second largest party after this election is the Progressive party. They're pro-USA, pro-NATO and pro-Israel. They're also anti-imigration, anti-muslim, populist morons who want to spend more and tax less. If the Red-Green coalition (as Labour, Socialist Left and Central go by) hadn't gotten a majority in parliament, the Progressive Party would have had significant influence for the next four years. Now they won't. I know which outcome I prefer.