Ex(?)-Communist unable to see the difference between democracy and dictatorship

For the first time ever the Swedish Social Democrats declare in advance that they are asking for a vote in favour of a coalition government including the Leftist Party, formerly the Swedish Communist Party, a party in 1917 originally created as a break-away group from the left wing of the Social Democrats. The party was formed as a protest when the main faction of the Social Democratic party refused to support the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and refused to become a member of the Comintern. But today this party of Communists is supposed to be a part of a government coalition! And the communist Lars Ohly would be expected to be a member of the Cabinet, if the left wins the election September 19.

Mona Sahlins scandals

The chairman of the Social Democratic Party Mona Sahlin campaigns for the position as Prime Minister. If you want to govern your country, you should be able to manage your own economy. Sahlin doesn’t. Years of a mishandled household economy in spite of the fact that she is among the top half per cent income earners. Contra explains details.

Opinion polls

Opinion polls are published before the election. The differences between the institutes are significant. Contra explains why, and makes a comparison with the ”last polls” before the election of 2006.

The work promotion line – is it adequately designed?
by Fredrik Runebert

In the election of 2006 the four parties in the present center-right coalition agreed on promoting the ”work promotion line” – more work opportunities and less welfare subsidies. The objective was to increase employment and decrease the number of people kept outside the working community. The parties concentrated not on the number of unemployed but on the figure including unemployed, students looking for a work, people on sickness benefits, early retirement benefits or welfare grants. Has this policy been succesful? And what could be done better?

Warmer in Medieval times – when agriculture was flourishing
by C G Holm

In spite of increased average temperatures during the past century (but an actual decrease during the very last decade) we have a long way to go until we reach the high temperatures of Medieval times. It should be noted that high temperatures during millenia have been linked to human progress and starvation and catastrophes are linked to periods with low temperatures.

The Supreme Administrative Court continue to decline public access to important documents on the Cold War
by Tommy Hansson

November 9 the Berlin Wall was opened and later tore down (as President Reagan had asked for in his memorable speech in Berlin). The fall of the wall was the last nail in the coffin of East Germany. Relations between East Germany and Sweden had been generally good. The East Germans saw Sweden as an important country and some Swedes saw East Germany as a ”socialist paradise”. Some so much that they collaborated with the secret police of East Germany. Other countries have released information on who these people were (according to East German archives, which were captured by the CIA and later forwarded to relevant governments). The Swedish list is said to include 50 people, but the Swedish Foreign Office has refused to release the list. Professor Birgitta Almgren, who recently published a book on Swedish-East German relations has been refused access to the list. Now she has been given a limited access according to a decision by the Swedish Supreme Adminstrative Court. She will be able to read the list, but not to further reveal any of its contents. And others beside Prof Almgren will still be kept in the dark.

The illusion of the benefits of the state (on Frédéric Bastiat)
by Fredrik Runebert

The difference between what you see and not see is the most important tool for French economist, legislator and writer Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850) when he reveals the limits of the welfare state. Trade restrictions, welfare benefits and taxation give benefits to limited vested interests. But more important are the negative effects they have on the general economy.

The Engelbrecht Divsionen and the Midsummer Crisis
by David Stavenheim

In the summer 1941 Sweden was militarily exposed. Germany had broken the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact and attacked the Soviet Union. The Germans asked the Swedish government for the right to transfer a German division based in nazi-occupied Norway to the Eastern front. The Germans asked for an immediate response during the Midsummer holidays.

The Prime Minister’s great great grandfather in a knife fight on work promotion

The work promotion line has an old history in the Reinfeldt family (Fredrik Reinfeldt is the present Prime Minister of Sweden). The PM’s great great grandfather John Hood was attacked with a knife by a man who had had a good time at the expense of Mr Hood. Mr Hood, a black man himself, probably originating from the US, had shown the other man at a variety theatre as a ”zulu”. When the market for showing negroes against money declined Mr Hood fired the people in his show, but he was attacked with a knife when the ”zulu” (he was probably not a zulu, but he was black) asked for more money and Hood refused. ”Get back to your own country and work for your living” Mr Hood had explained.

The 65th anniversary of the end of World War II
by Frank Gordons

Looking back you must realize that the great celebration of the 65th anniversary of the end of WW II in Moscow this spring was something fancied by the Kremlin, but all the expenses turned out to be a miscalculation by the organizers.