The latest news here in Sweden are about the closedown of SAAB and for most people it seemed to come as a chock, and it also shadowed the results of the climate meeting in Copenhagen (Denmark). When the outcome of the COP15 came to be a disappointment, the intensive reporting about the session stopped and instead, journalists rate the economy higher than the environment once again.
Of course, both Swedish economy and the unemployment rate will definitely get effected by the closure, but most of us did see this coming. And no company is formed to be able to survive centuries after centuries. I guess that is the cycle of economy and people seem to forget SAAB actally was a company that is dependent on people buying their cars. Swedes often tend to have a ’special and friendly relationship’ towards companies that heritage from Sweden. We’re fond of Swedish brands such as IKEA, Volvo, SAAB and Electrolux. For some the result of a company reaching bankruptcy is almost like losing a loved one or a friend.
I’m sure that the closedown of SAAB will not effect my life in a big way, I still have my job and I don’t think it will increase the taxes. The environment on the other hand will have an affect on how my life turn out to be, and it does that to everyone. Though I think that citizens have the right to big news immediately, I must wonder; Was it a bad timing that they went public about SAAB on the same date as the final day of the COP15?
The closure of the SAAB factories probably won’t affect my life in a big way either. However, that’s besides the point – it will decimate the local economies of several Swedish regions. Many people will be thrown onto the dole and may never work again (judging from the employment statistics from previous downturns in Sweden). It is an utter tragedy for many people. Show some empathy. You come across as being an immature idealist writing from a weak knowledge base.
Your life has so far been spent as a recipient of other people’s taxes (eg SAAB workers). A well functioning economy gave you your education and health and supported Sweden’s democratic society. If you disbelieve me regarding this latter point then study twentieth century European history and see what happens when the economy weakens.
The environment is certainly important but a balance must be struck.
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I have studied the 20th century European history and I have knowledge about the ups and downs of the economy in the previous century. Of course it’s a tragedy for those employed that now will be put out of work and an effect of this will be that the labour market in Gothenburg will get overloaded. Other than that, the Swedish market and economy will survive this. SAAB has been an unsuccessful company for years and the closedown should not have come as a surprise. Time’s changing and companies are coming and going. However, more people will get affected by the consequences of the global warming and a global deal is more necessary than SAAB surving another year. The only option for them to survive would have been if the Swedish government had contributed with more grants, but in my view tax payers are not responsible for SAAB’s failure.
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You rather miss the point of my post. You made a rather casual dismissal of the suffering of thousands – reread your inlägg. Were it your own family involved I doubt you would have adopted this attitude. You write that the Swedish labour market will survive this collapse. Do you possess a crystal ball ? How do you know that Trollhättan won’t end up like other run-down former industrial centres in Europe ? Of course you don’t have a clue, any more than I do. However, unlike you I’m not engaged in wishful thinking. The SAAB story is serious business and serious attention needs to be paid to it. Governments act when people are aware of issues and force them to act.
As for the climate issue, I suggest you compare coverage in the Swedish media with that in the wider international media. In Sweden we see almost blanket coverage of the whole issue. You’re lucky in that the topic which most engages you is so heavily reported and in a manner favourable to the AGW cause. Try not to begrudge some of your fellows Swedes the opportunity to claim a bit of airspace to draw attention to the plight of sudden mass unemployment and the potential devastation of the economies of some towns.
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If your concerned about global warming did you ever stop and think that maybe closing of companies like Saab and others in the west will and are effecting the environment and global warming?
We have watched as entire factories and industries through out the established industrial world have moved their production to places like China were some of the dirtiest energy in the world (large coal power plants without emission controls burning some of the dirtiest coal) is used to make our goods that were previously made with far more concern for the environment.
The cheap goods and the huge corporate profits come at an enormous environmental cost. Figuring out how to equalize the playing field so companies can’t profit by lack environmental and emissions standards should be a concern.
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Your post is full of vague attempted rebuttals which do nothing to address my core point.
To rewind, your post was a whinge that the closure of SAAB and the prospect of immediate mass unemployment in certain areas squeezed out coverage of C’hagen. This is errant nonsense. One would have to be deaf and blind to miss the C’hagen coverage, even with the SAAB news popping up. Furthermore, the SAAB issue is a tragedy for many thousands of Swedes, of course it should be covered in depth.
Its rather to arrogant to assume that you know how the news should be prioritised for the Swedish public ? What is it that makes you qualified to make that call ?
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Apologies – failed to spot that you didn’t write the response prior to my last one.
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