Sjeltur

Last Friday I have been watching a tv show/quiz….. and one of the questions was;

if you leave your bicycle UNlocked, can you get a fine of;
a. you will not get a fine
b. fine of 30 euros
c. fine of 70 euros
d. fine of a higher amount

With this question I was totally convinced; you will NOT get a fine…!!
Oooooh I was WRONG…!!
The correct answer is; a. fine of 30 euros

Uh…. what…??

So – our society is really this far..??
Probably you will get the fine because you are tempting a thief to steal your bicycle..??
This way the world is turned around uh..??
Next step will be;

“Yes judge; I took all those 150 bikes….- but you know what……??
I am not the one who is guilty…!! Those people left their bikes UNLOCKED…. this way they did something totally AGAINST THE LAW…..!!
IF they would not have done that, I would not have been able to take those bike…. See; I didn’t steal them – I took them…. And uh… those previous owners of the bike; they still should get their 30 euro fine….!!”

And you know what……?
When you go to the police – reporting your bike stolen; first thing the police is normally saying “sorry – we have a lot of stolen bike; there is not really a chance we can help you“……–> but – be careful to not mention you forgot to lock it… cause then you will hear “sorry – we have a lot of stolen bikes, there is not really a chance we can help you….. AND it is your own fault and because of that “fault” you will get a fine of 30 euros”

I have been laughing about a lot of ridiculous laws – but wow…. this law IN HOLLAND….. (number 1 country with bikes)…… it did not make me laugh…. it made me SAD!!

Last year I spent my holiday in the USA and Canada….  a nice circle from Toronto – Niagara – Washington – New York – Toronto
I had a lot of fun….. saw amazing stuff…. so – I really had a great time.

So; busy with making plans for my next holiday -> I am thinking of the following one; Houston – New Orleans – Orlando – plane to Toronto.

All this is starting in Holland…. – so lot of preperation; I need a plane – I need hotels – I need a car….

So – I thought “in time of crisis – the prices should be lower OR at least the same….”….

Especially after my little “failure of last year”; I booked my plane ticket and a week later – our Dutch Government announced they would stop a certain airport/plane tax….
THIS would have meant; my plane ticket about 60 euro cheaper…
But okay – this would start after the 1st of July…. – I traveled before that date….so => just “bad luck”. Read more »

As a lot of people know; in Holland we do have good health system. Everybody is covered (uh… insured..??)….. so – if we have to go to the hospital; the main thing will be = HELP THAT PERSON…
Yep – a real good situation….

BUT; pls know – this is not for free…!
We, the Dutch, are paying a lot of money for it…..

See; I don’t have any problems with paying for it… and even “a lot of money”…. ah well – if we are all covered and safe….!!

So – what is the problem Sjeltur…??

Well; I am paying every month 120 euro to be covered very well. Yep – I am not even paying “the full amount” – because I do think there are some risks I “should take”…..
And with me; all the Dutch are paying a similar amount… some less and some more; depending on the coverage…
But we are all covered for the “main things”….

And every year; this amount I need to pay is rising…. I know – everything is getting more and more expensive… and yep – every year I am also earning a bit more….
One of the problems with this price rising; it is also rising because the insurance companies have problems with getting their money….
Yep; some are just not paying their bill……. and in these times of recession – I even do understand it a bit….
But those “non paying people” are creating a circle; they are not paying, because it is a lot of money……, but because of not paying – the price will be higher next year….; more reason to not pay the bill…..

In the past; the main part of the health insurance would be paid via the earnings people get;
so – I work – my boss is (forced) paying a bit from my salary to get me covered….
People on welfare; the Government would first take off the part of health insurance…..
Perfect; everybody pays in time….

I have no idea how the US Government will do all this; one advice – DO NOT LET THE PEOPLE PAY MANUALLY…..!!