It would be a welcome change if our leaders could man up to rebuild with a long-term, outward focus. Where the well-being of all citizens on the planet is considered, instead of short-term profits and an anarchic idea of making Iceland into a financial center, i.e. what Kaupthing boss Sigurdur Einarsson was asked to map out for then Progressive Party Prime Minister Halldor Asgrimsson. 

Right now the nation is numb. Everyone is waiting for something while trying to stay afloat. Businesses and individuals who have been watching their cash fly out the window atop exorbitant interest rates for years are experiencing a drowning feeling. It seems like many are just shutting their eyes and resigning their fate to fate itself while still waiting for rescue to appear somewhere on the horizon.

Most people agree that something must be done. They just cannot agree on what exactly. The 20% cut in household debt seems to be stillborn, and mostly because it came from the Progressive Party and was shabbily considered before being put forth. People don’t trust what comes from that party and suspected that all debt should be lowered, even that which reckless businessmen have accumulated. Other ideas are not easily forthcoming. Sometimes it seems like there is a race on between the parties about who is going to save Iceland. It appears future credit must be available to one side of the political spectrum, not all of our elected leaders.

Which brings us to the discussions taking place on EU membership in Iceland. There is a saying which claims that empty barrels make the loudest sounds and they are out in some force. 

Nationalistic rhetoric, fear-mongering, xenophobia and propaganda. 

Those are the key words today. The latest crap to enter the discussion is the claim that Icelandic citizen’s might expect to be drafted into a military. As if the poisoned food that Europeans eat every day wasn’t enough. 

What then irks me agressively is when people try to make things rosier than they are by making comparisons to the third world. At least we still have food unlike the children in Africa, clean water unlike the people in India, a safe shelter unlike some people in Middle-America. That sort of reasoning is arrogant and distasteful. 

Is this what we have come to compare ourselves to? Instead of looking towards countries like our closest neighbors which are all bar one in the EU we compare ourselves to those worst off. A perspective is surely needed but preferably not such an incredibly short sighted one. Shouldn’t we be focusing on getting those countries up to our level instead of the other way around. 

You might not believe it but this argument is actually used; We should be thankful because we have so much and other so little.

And please leave us alone inside our little bubble. 

Arrogant, humiliating, short-sighted and stupid.

Related posts:

1. Blind, deaf or just stupid?
2. Stupid pride
3. Waiting For What?
4. An election prediction
5. We are so corrupt that we think we aren’t