Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2007
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Dallas Kramer
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

DUTCH DOING IT RIGHT

UNICEF has completed its Global Report on Child Welfare and 
Happiness. The world's 21 most developed countries were calibrated on 
no less than 40 different criteria. The Netherlands are the world 
leaders on child welfare. Dutch children enjoy the best social 
support systems, education standards and the report states that Dutch 
children are the happiest.

Canada ranked 12th and the United States finished 20th.

I am just wondering if there is a connection between the Dutch way of 
doing things and the way we and our southern neighbours are 
conducting business.

The Netherlands, usually and incorrectly referred to as Holland, 
believe that progressive social change is not only necessary, but 
beneficial. "On-the-spot" fines for cocaine possession, legalized 
marijuana, hashish, magic mushrooms and free heroin. The legal 
drinking and smoking age is 15, prostitution is legalized and taxed 
and the crime rate is shockingly low.

Is it a coincidence that the countries with the tightest and most 
dated, conservative drug and prostitution policy came dead last? The 
top 10 countries for child welfare are all European and the Europeans 
are consistently proving that progressive, open, social models can 
reap positive results.

While we are sending armed, masked agents to smash doors down looking 
for plants, the Netherlands sells it at the corner store and its 
citizens, namely children, are no worse for wear because of it.

Maybe its time to try to get Canada into the top 10 on child welfare.

This isn't my personal propaganda, this comes right from UNICEF.

Dallas Kramer

Transcona

(Oh, you gave it a spin.)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom