I feel that the Icelandic government is now desperately trying to save its nation and I am ready to help with all my might. The fall-out from the economic disaster is not going to be easy – we knew that. Now it is time to pay. We have no other way out except to start digging and everyone must pick up a shovel and help out, whether they are responsible for the disaster or not.
I am not happy with accepting a lower standard of living and increasing loans in the future because of this situation, because I am not responsible rather than yourself. But we are one nation, and we have to take this on as a nation. Not just because of ourselves but because of our childrens and their childrens. It is the least we can do. I believe that the action being taken here is a rescue mission. Therefore I support them wholeheartedly and will cast my vote accordingly. My concience does not allow me to sit this one out, nor vote against it because I believe that with the IceSave deal we have been handed a lifeline that will determine whether we can rise up again as a nation.
To take this matter through the courts is not available to us according to several lawyers. The most optimistic say it is very risky. In that light I can see no other option available apart from the one at hand. The loan is reasonable, 5,5% interests and seven years until the first payment, while the assets of Landsbankinn are being sold to cover the debts. The most pessimistic forecasts say that they will cover 75% of the loan, the most optimistic ones talk about 95%.
With full respect for the opinion of others, I will listen to my own concience on this matter like the Parliamentary oath directs me to do. I will not be pushed by either the government or the opposition and I will not allow hysteria or irresponsible discussions to direct my opinion.
There is too much at stake here.
From Social Dem MP Olina Thorvardardottir’s blog
I don’t know. She seems honest but I still get the feeling like she is repeating a mantra from her party.
I do not question the fact that a conclusion must be reached that all parties can agree on. But the Icelandic nation must be told more about what is behind the deal.
We need the story behind the negotiations. We need to hear what warnings were made by whom and when. We need to hear who is responsible and how they will assume that responsibility. We need to be told what the consequences are.
We need everything up on the table before we are as absolutely sure as Olina Thorvardardottir.
Related posts:
Sólmundur Sólmundursson
2 years ago
Sadly, Icelanders will pay the price either way. A future with investment into the country and a future with connections to other nations will be very difficult without some accountability now. On the other hand, a very few people have become very rich with politcal help, spent their money overseas, acted with amazing arrogance, and now wait for the nation they ignored to clean up their mess.
Icelandic citizens did not look into these matters when things were good. Nobody investigated from MBL or FB and the corruption, again with political help, like the nonsense that happened at the former NATO base went on without the needed outrage. The rich were too powerful and the people too afraid or indifferent. This is the problem with democracy when the people decide to not be interested in the nation’s health or hold the political system to minimal standards. The rich that took all they could as fast as they could did not give back to the Icelandic nation. No schools were helped and no scolarships offered. No hospitals were assisted. No arts were funded (unless as cheap advertising). And now it is time to ask the people to take responsibility for the damage casued by those who profited most, many of whom now live outside the country or have the assets safe in foreign places.
Iceland cannot afford to be seen as irresponsible, arrogant, or irrational in the international community. At the same time, Icelanders themselves cannot reward greed and selfishness with pardon or a free-ride.
Sólmundur