Well now I'm back from the mountains. An awesome trip, just amazing. Words aren't sufficient to describe it, so I will post some pictures instead when I get back to Kvicksund.

So, the subject of today: politics. This year there is election in Sweden. And to be honest I haven't got a clue what to vote for. My year in Lee Abbey has affected me a lot; when you hear about life in different countries you suddenly value certain things at home. For me one of those things I appreciate more is the welfare system. Other things I've come to value more is our immigration policys that are rather generous, and the small class differences we have. I more concerned about people with health problems and those unemployed than before, and I also think more about the environment. A year or two ago I would have thought more about freedom of choice and which party that was best at market policies. As you see my focus has shifted and now I'm pretty lost. All the parties seem so similar.

In Sweden, most parties are rather social liberal except maybe the left party (which was the communists before) and a few one issue parties. I guess that the long rule of the socialdemocrats has ingrained the soul and culture of us Swedes. It hasn't got to be a bad thing; I like the fact that most Swedes really care about the less fortunate and see free public schools and healthcare as something natural and necessary. This is someting the Socialdemocrats often lift forward as their main issues and those are things that care about too.

However good the welfare system is, it has made Swedes dependant on the state to solve everything for us. I recently watched a documentary about a severely depressed woman who had difficulties getting her disability pension. She committed suicide when the state, in this case "försäkringskassan" made a mistake and sent her a letter telling her that she had to start working again when she was actually entitled to disability pension. Of course the civil service to send her the letter. Of course they should have had more consideration and care. And the death of the woman was very tragical. But when a severely depressed person commits suicide, isn't the main reason her illness and not her other circumstances? Many things could have triggered her fatal decision, so why are we blaming the state? (Or at least the show did it) I just don't get it, I wish we would have more perspective in the Swedish debate: things are a lot better here than in many countries. We should be grateful for what we have been able to create and try to improve it, but come on; you have to take responsibility for yourself within that system too! Since it is the rule of the Socialdemocrats that has created this culture and they often want the state to solve every issue possible; from healthproblems to jobs, I wouldn't vote for them. But there is still about 5 other parties I could consider, so I haven't got much closer to a choice, have i...

Something that definitly makes matters worse are how politicians behave in general. Why can't they just be nice to eachother when they debate? And why can't they inform and communicate like they were talking to educated adults and not some imbecils of a lesser rase? I'm so tired of empty slogans ans simplified statements thrown in the face of their opponents instead of inteligent conversations with facts and arguments explaining their opinions.

So, if there is a politician somewhere who is nice to their opponents and cares about people, especially those in need like immigrants, children, the elderly and the poor, my promise is that I will vote for you. Especially if you have an idea about how to create a better enployment market where young people can stan a chance, and if you care about sustainability too.

Anyone who has seen this politician?