Magyar News, 2004. szeptember-2005. augusztus (15. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

2005-07-01 / 11-12. szám

NOW! LOOK AT THIS!

Nowadays we talk about globalization, super powers, international treaties, and many other things that we have no idea, or we consider them to be something that they really are not. Multinational corporations are really for outsourcing, and making the big-big profit with having part of their company one that is on international waters. I would go on-and-on but I’m not an expert, all I know is that we loose our jobs and pay more for everything. It is a bit confusing. Naturally I am more interested in Hungary and how are they doing. But that seems to be bringing me to an area that is not just confusing but mind blowing. ,

Before I try to get a clear view, I must look around in the world. First we have the super powers that are made up by the number of people, some by wealth, or military advantage of equipment, or probably by usable sources provided by nature. I guess leading the pack is the United States of America; wealth, highly developed technically, strong when it comes to military. It calls itself a democracy.

Then what used to be a counterpart during the cold war the Soviet Union. Well this broke apart, but the big chunk is Russia. We recently start hearing that people living in that area would like the Stalin dictatura was to be reinstates. Its president seems to prefer a step back from democratic elections, he is still on the top, and seems to like it there. He just made the statement that the worst thing to happen to the world was the falling apart of the the Great Empire.

Next to them is the huge China with the “wall” protecting them. We see the Chinese people with a rod resting on their shoulders and two little baskets hanging off. They move mountains, they are determined. The Japanese occupation stimulated their industry, now they are ready to spread the automobiles around the world. The territory expanded by the love affair with the Tibet.

We must not forget Japan. Not that much land but a population close to two million. A population of very industrious smart people, at times riding higher than the best that the world could offer.

The Arab world is a strange complex. There might be differences, sometimes

confrontation, but when the chips are down, believe me they are one solid group. Besides nature giving them the most looked for oil, there is the possibility of becoming a nuclear power. Things like this could pop up in any place, like North Korea recently.

I am sorry , but I didn’t leave out intentionally any body or any area. The only exception is the European Union.This Union is getting together, getting stronger, becoming a super power. Just as a curiosity the official currency, the EURO, now over-rides the value of the Dollar. It looks like all powers have their own problems and interest. Though I don’t want to say that Hungary faces a problem with this, but unfortunately it does. Specially the way the present government handles politics and all matters. One cannot scan the headlines of the papers without getting upset. “Are the red billionaire talking about moral in taxes?” “The Hungarian fruit market in danger.” “Four months in in the State Budget added 710 billion Forint more deficit .” “Gyurcsany expects 100 Billion Forint from tips, baby sitting and house cleaning.” “Dark Festival. Unemployment is at 7.1%.” “The Gyurcsany government is leading the country on a dangerous path.” “The collaps began.” “A few hundred tons of Paprika import is expected.” “Secret government meetings (only for the left wings).”

This could go on filling every page of our newsletter. Bear in mind, we haven’t touched the many problems about corruptions. We don’t know the people involved, so going by persons who are charged, doesn’t mean much for us this far away. We leave with a feeling like one we might experience at a cesspool.

To get back to the European Union shakes us up. Without dissecting everything let me just show you one law that effects Hungary. The Union researched and examined the waters of the oceans and seas. There they were dealing with huge amount of water that wasn’t stagnating, but was in constant movement, tide in - tide out. Replenishing the shores with fress water from the clean depths of the oceans. Suddenly they compared the largest lake in Europe, the Lake Balaton. The history of this body of water, nor the usage of it for a

couple, I mean to say 150 thousand years, was of no consideration. The European Union very kindly told the Hungarians that it is against the law to use the 78 kilometer (50 miles) long Balaton for bathing. Thank you.

Naturally there are other problems with the Union’s law. It is figured out how much agricultural products should go to each country. The big producers are able to cut down on the price. Unfortunately there is nobody to check the quality of the imported produce. At the same time the good quality Hungarian vegetable and fruit could not compete. Taking all these, and many others, into consideration the Hungarians have to find solutions.

So where do we stand?

In the first place the Hungarian economy is on a shaky ground. According to the European Union it doesn’t meet the economic and financial requirements. Among the ten newly joined countries Hungary was leading in the top spot. Now thanks to the government we just about make it in the last place.

Somehow I have a strange thought. During the war we heard about the Kállay Kettős, a dance in politics; take a step here, take a step there. Who knows where you are standing. The Hungarian government knows it very well that the Hungarian people do not want to revive the forty years of Soviet ruling. So they cannot be told that we should be connecting to Russia, not just because members of the government were part of that system, but because “it doesn’t matter how much we do” the European Union doesn,t help us out. So maybe we should shake hands with Putin, join him as he becomes the untouchable leader of Russia, hoping to build up the Empire. There could be a point facing the other big powers around.. With the Ukrain it is a possible market. Will we consider the price? Will we be the buffer land between powers?

Experts talking about the European Union say that economy, monetary matters, laws of all sorts, etc. will be the same everywhere. The differences will be in the culture. Every nation may hold on to their own culture, as long as they hold on to it. We experienced the American version, that is the “Melting Pot”.

Joseph F. Balogh Page 1