Latvian woes should not pave the way for economic stimulus by any means necessary

Recent news of its governments collapse is further evidence of hardships that Latvia faces as the global economic crisis deepens within the country. As growth forecasts for 2009 continue to decline and levels of unemployment rise, Latvian national coordinator Alda Ozola speaks here about the alarming at all costs measures the country is proposing to satisfy requirements for economic stimulus from international donors like the International Monetary Fund and European Union.

Highlighting moves like the increased value-added tax on renewable energy sources while cutting the tax rate for imported natural gas, Ozola expresses concern that the soon-to-be released economic stimulus plan will neither be opened to proper public scrutiny nor will the plan work towards maximizing the potential for sustainable energy futures in Latvia.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• economic crisis
• Latvia
• Latvija
• Latvijas Republika
• IMF
• World Bank
• EU
• environment
• development
• renewable energy
• gas
• Bankwatch

[perriite]

krīze vispar ir cilveku smadzenees :D tieshaam taa ir :P daudziem ir bijusi kriize bet mes visvairaak njaudam. uzskatu ka shiis grutibas nakushas lai mus parmacitu ka nevar stradat un darit visu pa roku galam.. bet jastrada kartigi lejot sviedrus lai dabutu naudu.. tie kas brauc prom vnk meklee vieglako izeju :P es ta vietaa lai gaustos dzivoju dzivi, studeju un stradaju .. daru visu lai sevi nodrosinatu tgd un nakotnee :P

[hstryshows]

Poor work ethics and negative attitudes effect economies. Forget about trying to create a perfect society... think about what you can do for yourself and others. That's where the positivity comes from. I am an American. I know what works and what does not.(I'm not boasting)

[BITARTEN]

Wellcome to the capitalism!!

[SonicYouthXXX]

Why ofcourse I have worked, only that walk around local business`es strategy doesn`t really work for me because of them being shut down everywhere, and there are so many other people besides me constantly loking for a job also the problem is that the real unemployment rate here is 25% of the working population which isn`t what official figures state because many simply haven`t registered including me, because it makes no sense what so ever.

[FreeAgain2]

I work for myself.

You must not have a job right now - is that right?

When I got out of school, I went to the business'es near by and just walked in and asked if they needed any help - got the worst job I ever had but I got paid. That job led to the next which was better.

I have worked at maybe 7 or 8 different places. Have you worked anywhere?

[SonicYouthXXX]

Do you have a job right now?

Take a guess.

[FreeAgain2]

Do you have a job right now?

BTW, I did go back, for a while - I am a duel citizen - but my entire family is in the US and it was too difficult to be away. I too saw the corruption - something my parents were shocked to see as they did not have this problem to such an extent before the war.

[SonicYouthXXX]

Well then why don`t you come back and try to get a job? And even if you do get a job it will be a minimum wage which is puny to say the least, I will see how long your proudness lasts in this case...

[FreeAgain2]

The Zemessardze have a good reputation - not alot of corruption there.

I want you to know that American and Canadian Latvians are very proud of Latvia and our Latvian heritage - and that is not hype!

[SonicYouthXXX]

Latvia didn`t make a turn in the 20`s it still was a miserable agricultural republic, and all hype just is built up by the national propaganda.

And yes I do realize that corruption is everywhere but to what extent here it is on every footstep of your life everywhere.