No really, I'm not kidding here. If this becomes law, a surcharge as much as €3.28 ($4.3) per gigabyte will come into place on mp3 players. This might put €180 ($235) to the price of a top end iPod.
Does this mean that when I buy an iPod, I am allowed to download any music I want on it? Without ever paying again for music? Because otherwise I would be paying twice for copyright! I guess not.
I think this is illegal. And the EU should prevent the Dutch government implementing this. But they probably won't. I'll vote NOOOOOO! on june first anyway.
That's insane. You're all taxed like crazy anyway.
You're not the only one I hear is voting no. Every French person I know is voting no, and I've been reading about how strong the No movement in the Netherlands is.
Ooh, I'm going to be in Europe during one hot time. ;-)
I'm voting NO too. And about the tax? That sucks ass. Bwah.
I heard your special on yesterday's Euroquest and todays Dutch Horizons on RNW.
I hope you keep your diary after you move to the States and if you subsequently move back to the Netherlands.
Although I recognize that you've had some negative experiences, I hope you are moving to a very safe area in the US. I am in Canada, and I've actually have done some very stupid things when visiting the states on several occasions, being naive with their crime rates and various areas. (especially in tropical areas - you cannot just take a walk anywhere)
You do recognize that the social network in North America is very difficult for foreigners and that Healthcare outside of Canada is atrocious. Many US citizens come to Canada for Healthcare.
Although North America is consumer centric, this also means that often you will have to work on days that you do not wish, end up in shift work, etc. The amount of holidays and benefits associated with positions in the US are very poor in the majority of jobs. I stayed in Canada because the housing, benefits and holidays. Although the taxes may not be so high in the States, rent, lack of health benefits and the ability to revoke holidays is something that happens frequent as well as working 18 hour days on a set salary.
I was extremely impressed with the Dutch and German society in that they are more life oriented. You work to live instead of living to work. North Americans live to work. I regret that the pervasive consumer-centric society has influenced my family's life as much as it has. Out of 10 working adults 8 of us work weekends or significant overtime. I was incredibly amazed that my family in Europe had very few members that worked on the weekend 1 out of 30. When you and Sweety have a family, you will see how important the European values are.
The American Dream is tempting, but consider what you may be giving up in terms of what you may be gaining.
Janet