Category: Economy

Immigration INTO Estonia?!?

Posted Feb.18, 2010 under Economy, Social

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about immigration and whether the United States should limit immigration into the United States. And similar talks have been going on in the United Kingdom for some time now.

But, never, not once has anyone, ever, mentioned immigration into Estonia, whether anyone would come and whether we should allow them to, if they did.

Personally, I think we should allow it, endorse it and make it easier.

I’m sure it would boost our economy, as well as boost our understanding of other cultures, and help us become more tolerant people, since Estonians are quite racist, very intolerant (for example, of homosexuality) and not very intelligent people in general.

We’re the European equivalent of Rednecks, if you will. Except we’re not as religious.

When I take a look at other countries, for example, the United States, a country built on immigration. These days, immigration is good for their economy.

Well, it’s either that, or the fact that it keeps the average weight of Americans below 400lbs… (around 200kg)

The United Kingdom, however, “suffers” from immigration. Or at least, a lot of them think so. “Those Polish people, coming over here, stealing our jobs. With their work ethic and reasonable charges…”

The Brits deal with multiculturalism better than any country in the world does.

The reason I’m bringing up Britain, is if we were to allow more immigration into the country, then we would have a lot to learn from them.

Over here, I propose a one-year-trial system. It would be really simple. You can legally immigrate into the country, and you can stay here for a year, no questions asked.
But then there’s the tricky bit… You can only stay here if you can speak the language, and you don’t have any criminal offenses on your record.

Unless you meet all these requirements, you will be deported back into your native country.

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Socialised medicine. Social democracy. Liberalism.

Posted Feb.11, 2010 under Economy, Social

These days, there is a lot of discussion whether the world’s richest country should have socialised medicine. And a lot of people argue against it, because they think it’s going to be expensive for them… Well, add up all your income taxes, sales tax, medical insurance and compare it to any country’s which has socialised medicine.

Believe me, the ones with the higher tax rate are not going to be the ones with socialised medicine. And you would never, ever have to worry about losing your house because you lost your job and fell ill, and now you can’t pay your medical bills.

And long waiting times? That’s only a myth. They may be longer, but not nearly as long as you make it out to be.

To be honest, there are some things wrong with our system as well. For example, in Estonia, we have a 1.5 year maternity leave with 80% salary… And you can keep your job, by law. Which really isn’t so much about socialised medicine, but more about social democracy in general.

As an Estonian, I think I’d rather have no maternity pay, if the average pay per month was €2500, rather than 1.5 years of maternity pay of 80% if it was €600… as it is now.

But I do love the healthcare system around here. It really is a lot easier to understand than the one in the US. Plus, you’d never be able to lose your… err, what’s the most valuable thing the average Estonian has?

No, not his house… Since the average Estonian lives in a tiny apartment/flat in a city… Oh, I know, his car! Which is usually a top-of-the-range BMW or Audi… Which he can not afford, and is in huge debt due to that. Which he doesn’t need either, since he only travels within city limits… which means public transport is not only faster, but cheaper as well. And more comfortable, most of the time. But that’s another topic.

80% maternity leave for 1.5 years is nothing when your life is too depressing to have children in the first place.

But to be honest, what’s so bad about social democracy, anyways?
You pay higher taxes when you have a job, and if something happens to you, the government will help you.

What would you rather have, lower taxes – but as good as dead if you lose your job, or higher taxes at first – but if something were to happen, you would be able to count on the government?

After all, you do not need to pay for health insurance, so it evens out quite well… Except only in the cash department, since you would be left to die if something were to happen.

Think about it.

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Why music sales are declining… oh, no, they aren’t!

Posted Dec.28, 2009 under Apple, Economy

Record labels always tell us the same old story… If you don’t know what this story is, I will tell you now:
“Music sales are declining because people are downloading our music illegally. Piracy is wrong! Boo-hoo. We are such a bunch of crybabies and lobbyists who can’t adapt to the changing market.” or something in those lines. It’s pathetic. Really pathetic.

If you know me, you’d know that I sometimes download music illegally. Why? Because the music you make isn’t worth buying. And because illegal downloading is faster and easier. You say, how can it be faster? For me it is. Since there isn’t an online store in this part of the world and I couldn’t be bothered to go outside to buy music, only to find out that they don’t sell this album… And never will.

And I can’t use the UK or US iTunes store to get my tunes either. Well, unless you actually go to the UK or US and buy an iTunes gift card… It’s all way too f*cking pointless.

One thing springs immediately to mind: Why the f*ck not?

And another thing that makes me want to throw a brick… a molotov cocktail through some b*tch-ass lobbyist’s window.

These days they are complaining about lost sales and all that bullsh*t. But the real reason the music is getting less sales… well, it is mainly two things:

1) Music sucks these days. Gaga sucks. Cirus sucks. Jonas Brothers suck each other off..

2) The recession. Have you guys heard of it? No, seriously? Maybe people can’t afford to buy your sh*t music anymore?

And you know, what? Record sales are up through the roof.

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Listen up, WMG!

Posted Nov.20, 2009 under Economy, Everything, Personal, Random, Technology

Have you ever heard of a concept called “free promotion”? Basically, the product you sell gets advertised, without you paying for the advertising… Well, how does it work?

Let’s take an example –  youtube. A user posts a video containing your music. Or a music video by an artist that’s signed under your label.

You think to yourself – “oh my god they are stealing our music.” First of all, why do you assume that they are stealing, and why do you assume it will create a loss in profit?

In fact, common sense tells us that if a song is advertised *anywhere* and people like it, people will probably buy it. But if the song isn’t available on, for example, youtube,  then your song will be unheard, and probably bought a lot less.

I agree on one point, though. If the author of the song isn’t credited or any mention of the song’s name and performer isn’t there, then it should count as copyright infringement. But if the author and/or performer is credited and the song’s title given and (preferably) a link to the song on, let’s say, umm, iTunes is given, then what’s the f**king problem?

Have you heard of these things, called, err, common sense and independent thought?

Because if you had any of either, you’d realise disabling audio on infringing promoting videos is clearly… retarded.

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The economic situation – these f***ing idiots

Posted Oct.01, 2009 under Economy

This blog post has a bit more of a local tone.

Look, I’m not the person who is going to fix the economy. In fact, I know only a little about it, but more than them…
But these f**king a*sholes who are trying to “fix” the economy!

Who the hell fixes an economy by RAISING the taxes (VAT)? Are you F***ING insane?

It’s not EVEN a temporary fix! It’s a death trap, locking you in a deep pile of s**t for the next couple of years with no chance to get out!

It only helps the government cover their own asses. These f*cking selfish pricks.

My logic is this: VAT Rise->Product prices rise->People can’t buy products anymore->Stores don’t make enough profit to pay to all the employees->Stores, and, soon, other companies start letting people go->People are unemployed->People can’t afford to buy products from stores to help them afford to pay for more people->Product prices rise->Even less people afford the products->Stores make even less profit one way or another->Stores let go of more people->VAT and other tax rise again due to the government not making enough from taxes->EVERYTHING TURNS TO F***ING SH*T!

So, VAT Rise -> Everything turns to SH*T. WHAT THE F***? HOW DO YOU NOT FIGURE THAT OUT?

What am I not getting here?

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Live in the US, complain about prices? Think again. [Price comparison of Apple products between 3 different countries]

Posted Aug.26, 2009 under Economy

Look, I understand that with the economic crisis the world is in right now and all the problems about prices, but you really don’t have any reason to complain.

But hear this: The prices in the US for anything are… *the suspense is killing you at this moment, or maybe not* … cheap!

No, but really, they are! Lets take a look at the rest of the world.
For example, let’s compare three different countries:

1) USA
2) UK
3) This, little, northern-european country called Estonia, in which I happen to live in

Here’s a couple of good examples:

Let’s take the price of a MacBook Pro (13″) (The low-end, 2.26Ghz model)

In the US, it costs $1199.
In the UK, it costs £899 (approx. $1460)
In Estonia, it costs EEK 18690 (approx. $1670)

Let’s take the price of the Snow Leopard Upgrade (from Leopard)

In the US, it costs $29
In the UK, it costs £25 (approx. $41)
In Estonia, it costs EEK 469 (approx. $43)

(Sources: apple.com; apple.com/uk; mac.ee)

The average Estonian earns two times less than the average American and the prices are 1.5 – 2 times as high on anything.

I think most European Geeks hell, anyone who’s not from the US would agree with me on this:
So, if anyone from the US dares to complain about prices again… For crying out loud… Shut up.

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What the ****: Laws make no sense.

Posted Aug.09, 2009 under Economy

(This is the second post in the series of my “What the ****” posts)

1)

There’s a new language law passed in Estonia, the Northern European country in which I live in.
It requires me to blog in fluent Estonian. Sorry, but that’s… well, retarded. First of all (although I live in Estonia and consider me somewhat Estonian, I speak better English than Estonian, even though Estonian is my mother tongue) I don’t blog in Estonian. I blog in English. It is the language I speak best. It is the language that I am taught daily in school. Yes, 5 days a week. Every day. 45 minutes of English. (And 2 days a week of Estonian grammar and 2 days a week of Estonian Lit.)

I am astonished by this new law and I don’t know if me blogging in English is alright anymore. But I think it is alright, as both my blogs are hosted in the United States.

Edit: A quick mention: The law “Might extend to blogging” as there is such a law already in existence (not on the Internet).

2)

A law requires all hardware devices imported into Estonia via mail to have a CE sign on them and be some EU-bull**** compliant. What? I don’t care if the device I buy doesn’t comply these standards. It is not your business.

This one seriously makes me wonder, what the **** is going on?

3)

The copyright laws of the world. First of all, what the **** @ country restrictions on videos/songs on youtube / other sites.

Why the **** does the fact that I don’t live in the US or UK matter? It’s not like it is meant to stop piracy as showing the content to me that is FREE to the citizens of the United States / United Kingdom is not preventing you or anyone from getting profits.

And the online stores’ restrictions. My god it is just bloody idiotic. Why can’t I use the United States’ or United Kingdom’s iTunes music store if I live in Estonia? Why? You are MAKING me pirate as there is no Estonian iTunes Store. I want to pay for the content. But you are not letting me.

And then you wonder why so much content is pirated outside the United States.

View this post uncensored on my blog:

http://johannessiig.info/2009/08/09/fuck-estonia-fuck-ansip-fuck-reformierakond/

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