4/2: Lesbian marriage

[Undertoad]

Amsterdam has legalized homosexual marriage and here is one taking place.

Tolerance and the increase in freedoms of San Francisco and California in general led to nothing less than the computer revolution. I'll wager that, in 10-15 years, Amsterdam sees serious economic gains. If we should have learned anything from the last few centuries, it's that "People everywhere just want to be free." They will migrate to where they feel free, and they will use that freedom, both personally and in business transactions. So, in order for Amsterdam to benefit from their attitude, they should open up their laws regarding any sort of monetary transaction and their system of business regulation.

[russotto]

Originally posted by Tony Shepps

Tolerance and the increase in freedoms of San Francisco and California in general led to nothing less than the computer revolution. I'll wager that, in 10-15 years, Amsterdam sees serious economic gains. If we should have learned anything from the last few centuries, it's that "People everywhere just want to be free." They will migrate to where they feel free, and they will use that freedom, both personally and in business transactions. So, in order for Amsterdam to benefit from their attitude, they should open up their laws regarding any sort of monetary transaction and their system of business regulation.

Unfortunately, it won't benefit Americans much because most of us can't or won't learn to speak Dutch.

[Undertoad]

That's OK because most of the Dutch speak English.

[Chewbaccus]

Originally posted by Tony Shepps
Tolerance and the increase in freedoms of San Francisco and California in general led to nothing less than the computer revolution. I'll wager that, in 10-15 years, Amsterdam sees serious economic gains.

If that's the case, then why didn't they see serious economic gains when they legalized marijuana?

(And if they did, then disregard this post as I am not in the practice of watching Amsterdam's economic growth.)

~Mike

[tw]

Originally posted by Chewbaccus

If that's the case, then why didn't they see serious economic gains when they legalized marijuana?

You are not going to see economic gains when marijuana has been so legal for so long. What you don't see are the losses created by 'we fear drugs' laws. Notice the Dutch don't have the crime and poor workermanship that the 'we fear drug' mentality proclaims. Ironically in a country that wages war on durgs - ie the US - that is where so much violent crime occurs.

Netherlands, a small country, is one of the most prosperous and innovative countries in Europe. Phillips is but one example of their worldwide presence that is little known. How does such a little country have so much influence in Europe. They are tolerant and innovative. Ironically it is simply a question of whether your Netherland friend speaks British English or American English since English is spoken by all Dutch. English is even acceptable as your only language if getting a college education in the Netherlands.


[Edited by tw on 04-03-2001 at 07:52 PM]

[Undertoad]

I don't know what the actual numbers say. But IMO the differences from country to country are really going to stick out in this modern, highly-connected age.

The cultural things that made someone Dutch, Belgian, German, etc. are dropping. This should have a pretty big impact over the space of a generation or so.

And the things that draw people to a place are just what tolerance and freedoms they can find. About two-thirds of my friends have moved to California. Some because they liked the atmosphere, the people. A few went for fortune. These are all highly intelligent, mostly high-tech people. Nobody has regretted it and moved back!

The same things are going to draw people only now more than ever. If family was a driving factor in keeping someone in place, it's less than it used to be when airfares are so low and international telecommunications is so cheap.

[serge]

If that's the case, then why didn't they see serious economic gains when they legalized marijuana?

From what I understand Netherlands now has a lower cocain and heroin addiction rate than the rest of Europe and obviously U.S. as well. Economic gains (or lower levels of loss) follow.

[jaguar]

good point serge but ill just add that they were not just lower levels they were *very much* lower levels, the figure 94% i seem to remember, it makes sense too. Look at Ireland as an example of how freedom helps business/population etc. They have passed laws PROTECTING PRIVICY FORM GOVT AND CORPERATIONS while the US and Britan have passed laws in the opposite direction(DMCA anyone?), spot the country with the growing IT sector.....