Sweden's tax system actually has a very regressive tax system, especially compared to other countries in Europe. A regressive system places a greater tax burden on those with lower incomes. But does it really have to be that way? In countries like France, where a friend lives, you have a basic tax deduction of 1.300 euros a month, which corresponds to approximately SEK 15.000....
Refugees fleeing war and violence - more are not granted asylum
Frida Johansson Metso writes in DN 2024-09-13 about how refugee policy in Sweden has changed drastically since 1948, when the UN introduced human rights. She focuses on the incident at Alsike monastery in 1993, where the police brutally picked up refugees who had sought protection, even though some were later granted asylum. Today, many refugees fleeing war are treated as “alternatively…
Social benefits and mental illness
Reduced social benefits coincide with more mental illness Why do we feel so bad when we are doing so well? The social contribution has fallen behind in value since 1985. Economic decisions have had a profound impact on both social and psychological problems in society. In 1985, according to Bergmark, Å., "The dynamics of social contribution receipt - duration and exits from...
Harris and Walz: A Struggle for Equality and Rights in an Unequal America
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz face a challenging but possible path to electoral victory in the upcoming US presidential election. Donald Trump polarizes and appeals to an increasingly extreme right-wing base. Harris and Walz instead direct their focus to the rampant inequality in the country. This issue affects millions of Americans. They find it difficult to afford…
Optimism for skeptics
Optimism: More Than Just A Smile Optimism is not about seeing the world through rose-colored glasses and believing that everything is perfect. Rather, it is about finding hope and strength, even when life feels at its darkest, and continuing to fight for both your personal goals and for the good of society. It is the ability to see…
Ichi-go, Ichi-e – to be fully present in every meeting
Ichi-go, Ichi-e (一期一会) is a Japanese expression that roughly translates as "once, a meeting" or "once, a meeting". This expression has deep cultural and philosophical roots in Japan and conveys the idea that each encounter is unique and can never be relived exactly the same way again. Therefore, one should value and…
Private property a social construct
Property and the Origin of Wealth At the outset, it is important to understand that property, as we know it today, has not always existed. In early human history, land, resources and property were common assets, without fixed boundaries or personal ownership. The concept of private property has developed over time and is not a given; it is rather a social…
Increased mortality in 2024
Increased mortality in Sweden 2024: Effects of austerity measures and lack of environmental policy Intro Deaths in Sweden have increased significantly in 2024, even exceeding the levels from 2020 during the pandemic. The austerity policy in healthcare and a deficient environmental policy are pointed out as contributing causes. **Main text:** In 2024, mortality in Sweden has risen significantly, even though the pandemic is now…
How to survive the automation of many jobs
How to survive the AI revolution AI has long influenced the labor market. Some professions risk disappearing, while others become winners. CVkungen has compared data from Platsbanken with the World Economic Forum's report "Future of Jobs 2023". The best way to survive automation is welfare and classic Swedish mixed economy. Expand the public sector when other jobs disappear, reduce working hours, for...
The long-term unemployed and workers receive a tough blow from the new unemployment insurance fund
Devastating for the long-term unemployed On 18 June 2024, the Riksdag decided to implement significant changes in unemployment insurance (a-kassan). Devastating for the long-term unemployed, the disabled, immigrants and many vulnerable professional groups. Save the unemployment fund! Vote here. For the Unemployed: The new reduction in benefits may lead to financial difficulties for the long-term unemployed. These are often disabled or low-educated immigrants. Critics say that…