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Petra Kehr's avatar

Number I

Strange piece. Today´s Netherland is still a nice place - in some areas. In many it´s heavily burdened with an enormous migrant crowd who were let into the country throughout decades when the State was soooo "liberal". The rightleaning new Government kicking out WEF - Asset Ruette is trying to clean up the mess. They´ll hardly suceed.

The extremely successful farmers (they are the second largest food exporter of the world) are under extreme pressure to leave their land "because of CO2 emissions" and to cull their cattle in order to lower the carbon footprint.

Plans are on the table for a mega city connecting five clusters (Brussels/Amsterdam/Cologne/

Paris/Luxemburg) which of course need space. Rob the farmers.

All wet dreams of the Davos Clique. You can find that on their website. It´s all in the open btw.

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Steve L's avatar

Yes Petra, and it was one of the most beautiful and successful countries until the EU and globalist leaders took the helm.

Another reason they were spotless, low crime and wealthy, was because as leaders in the slave trade, they were smart enough to sell overseas, and not domestically, saving themselves the future price for the sin of slavery. The heavy price America continues to pay.

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Petra Kehr's avatar

Valid points Steve. Thank you.

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Frank Ellis's avatar

Well yes, Bill does have a way of ignoring things that he doesn't want to see. Maybe we all are somewhat guilty of that? Petra, you wrote a wonderful reply to him!

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Dave J's avatar
3dEdited

Tiny electric cars, bicycle lanes galore, pristine manicured farms abutting residential neighborhoods and factories, sounds like a "master planned" wet dream for Bill. He conveniently ignores that what he describes and fawns over is much easier in a tiny country that today has very tight controls on immigration (which was his thinly veiled thesis for what makes today's Netherlands so great).

Milton Freedman famously said, "you can't have open borders and a welfare state". Biden and Bill missed that memo.

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Richard Redstone's avatar

Davos boys are 💩

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Clem Devine's avatar

I noticed there were no Islamics on the list of immigrants...

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Petra Kehr's avatar

Number II

So free trade brought wealth to the Dutch we read.

What exactly means free trade if you´re colonising foreign and far away countries, rob them from their assets and sell these with unimaginable premiums to other - wealthier - nations?

Could there be a blind spot in the Author´s perception?

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Bill's avatar

Free trade in slaves as well. Don't forget tobacco.. I am glad that we finally got an essay on the tulip bulb craze. I have often used it on this site as a cudgel for a certain hot financial topics today. The things are only worth what people think they are worth. Real assets that pay dividends to the stakeholder prove or disprove their value regularly. Betting on the price of a tulip bulb as to whether it will go up or down is is something else..

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StarboardEdge's avatar

No blind spot. The people that got stepped on so hard were all brown or black, so....

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Dave J's avatar

Wow, I feel honored. The content monitors removed my earlier post to your Number II message above Petra. The one you liked that involved the space between the author's ears.

I must have touched a nerve. You guys out there censoring, why not let us know what is so offensive so we can change it or delete it ourselves?

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StarboardEdge's avatar

I saw your post and it was exceedingly tame, Dave.

WTF BPR??

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Dave J's avatar

WTF indeed.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Ya know what else none of these "Golden Ages" had?

Hordes of uneducated Third-worlders living off taxpayer largesse and towing 4 kids all under 10-years old or rampaging, grimey men waving machetes, throwing Molotov Cocktails and screaming allahu akbar.

Did you see any of that in the modern wonderland of Amsterdam, Bill?

Nevermind. I guess I'm just a racist...

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/06/geert-wilders-leaves-coalition-differences-asylum-migration-dutch/

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Clem Devine's avatar

What's not to like?

Geert Wilders,

"I proposed a plan to close the borders for asylum seekers, to send them away, to shut asylum shelters. I demanded coalition partners sign up to that, which they didn't. That left me no choice but to withdraw my support for this government," he told reporters. "I signed up for the strictest asylum policies, not for the demise of the Netherlands."

The Globalists just don't get it but I'm guessing they soon will.

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

Too late. They missed the boat!!!!!!!!!

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Tim Pallies's avatar

" We’ve never seen a line we wanted to join…" That's a feeling I've clung to for decades now.

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Paul McGinn's avatar

Bill isn’t Martha’s Vineyard comparable to the city you visited. What happened when a busload of illegal immigrants landed there. It took 48 hrs to exercise the Dutch republic’s immigration policies.

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kenneth dame's avatar

Let's see if I interpret Bill's musings correctly!!! It's fine if other countries have tarriffs on the US products but just plain dumb and unnecessary for the US to respond. I sure wish that I had obtained my college degree from one of those esteemed universities that Bill attended, so I could understand "his" common sense logic.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

It's also fine with Bill when other Countries enforce their borders...

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

I must give My nickels worth here. Was , is the USA that "dumb" to run a trade deficit? If You and I did this, I am sure We would correct this situation. Unless We did actually need the goods That We purchased. But then I may be the "dumb" one.

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kenneth dame's avatar

We didn't have to worry about trade deficits as long as we had the gold standard. Once Nixon took us off the gold standard, trades deficits were ineviatble. We've had to live with keeping our own balanced budgets all our lives. Since Nixon, it's gotten extremely hard (appartenly impossible) for politicians to use the word "balanced" in connection with the word budget.

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

Yes, one of the many down falls. Thanks for the input.

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An Ol' LSO's avatar

Dan's analysis of the falling container trade from China begs many questions. 1. Because of tariffs, are products being "packaged" and shipped from other countries like Vietnam, India, etc.? And, 2. What is the overall balance of containers entering Los Angeles (actually Port of Long Beach) - more or less than normal? 3.) Should we consumers "stock-up" now before the fall rush?

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Steven King's avatar

I read the Port of Long Beach reported a 40% decrease in cargo compared to typical levels. So the overall balance is not normal. I personally think winter will be very telling. In most grocery stores fresh fruit and vegetables are available year round. I suspect there will be many empty shelves. Moreover, the amount of frozen vegetables produced is based on multiyear trends. I expect them to be exhausted quickly. So if you have a deep freezer....

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Petra Kehr's avatar

Good point I think

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Angry Icebergs's avatar

The Netherlands, as with all the Nordic countries, noting also Japan, New Zealand, Iceland, Switzerland, Portugal... are also on many "best places to live" lists... there are differing categories determining specific traits of what makes life great in these countries, quality of life, healthcare, cost of living...

However; one particular repeating characteristic never mentioned, but always present in "quality countries" is the native population, they are not culturally "diverse"...

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Clem Devine's avatar

Yes, multiculturalism is a mistake for the ages!

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Sluggo's avatar

A-friggin’-MEN, Clem! “Multiculturalism” is the “Balkanization” of the USA….which is exactly what the America-hating, anti-Founding, Marxist Democrat Party wants.

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StarboardEdge's avatar

They are nearly successful in the long-term, destructive plan to turn the Melting Pot into a Salad Bowl...

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Sluggo's avatar

Exactly. Multiculturalism is the antithesis of the “Melting Pot.” It is a cancer on the body of this nation.

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rKf's avatar

As a peripatetic professional it surprises me that this was your first trip to Amsterdam.

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Petra Kehr's avatar

Number III

The story of Tulip´s is one of the boldest example in mankind´s history for a hype.

That was´t just trade. That was pure madness. To the end of that frenzy some exchanged their Chateau for a tulip bulb.... Just to put it in some perspective.

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An Ol' LSO's avatar

Is today's tulip called "Bitcoin"? Just wondering............

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Steve L's avatar

😂🤣😂🤣 the tulip scam only lasted four years. The Bitcoin scam is already in year 16, and going very strong. Those smart enough to understand markets, know to get in early and out when satisfied with their profits, not being too greedy. Like any Pyramid Scheme, the sooner you get in, the more money you’ll make. Sorry you missed Bitcoin, but it still has many more years of growth, so you can still join us winners, or continue crying over missing the first few years of our current tulip scam:)…

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Petra Kehr's avatar

I guess there are a few other candidates.... ;-))

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Steve L's avatar

Jump in, the waters fine... ;-)))

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

Amsterdam, that must be where most politicians got the idea of electric vehicles and bicycles. Put them in every city and town and watch the clowns flounder around in the mud and snow!

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B. Patton's avatar

Been there. Walked the canals and sidestreets. You probably were not informed that twice a year they dredge the main canals in the city to remove all the bicycles that have been thrown in during the previous months. Apparently a big problem. Curious, curious.

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

More knowledge. Thanks .

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Dorothy's avatar

BP: Maybe a few bicycle repair shops might solve their problems.

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Clem Devine's avatar

Not worth repairing Dorothy, cheaper to buy another...

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

Now I have not seen their bicycles , but maybe the gps is not working. LOL

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StarboardEdge's avatar

Or less theft/bored teenagers....

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Clem Devine's avatar

Probably cheap Chinese ones. I'm in awe of how they can be manufactured and sold for so little money.

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Angry Icebergs's avatar

Government subsidies...

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James W.'s avatar

……..’because they fall out from under you’………

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John Austin's avatar

This is not a comment on the article, or the anti-Bill slugfest from the usual commenters.

I wonder if many of the USA-based BPR subscribers fail to get any news, or viewpoints, from anywhere outside the Greatest Country on Earth (self-proclaimed)?.

I also watch the Singapore-based youtuber, Sean Foo, for example. He has a different take, though often quoting Jamie Dimon, and other leading lights of Wall Street, who aren't in Trump's chaotic cabinet. Foo is more interested in money than politics.

For example, Dimon notes that China isn't scared of USA tariffs; Foo notes that Bessent's recent complaints that the Swiss agreement on rare earths is being slow-walked by China didn't mention that since then, chaotically, Chinese students in USA have been threatened with wholesale visa cancellation, even those part-way through their courses.

Hegseth, in Singapore last week, openly said that other nations should prepare for a coming war with China. He also pressured Australian Defence Minister Marles, to raise Australia's defence spending from 2.3% to 3.5% of GDP (PM Albanese wryly commented that Australia will determine its own defence policy).

Why would China promptly send rare earths? If the positions were reversed, would the USA act differently?

The USA continues to regard itself as exceptional,and can make, and break agreements as it wishes, without considering the effect on allies and not-allies.

The effect is a lack of trust. It is a long-term effect.

Get some news from outside the USA.

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Steve L's avatar

So Mr Dimon came out today and said that America should not be stockpiling Bitcoin, but bullets and weapons. We know from the history of the 20th century, that world war followed the two depressions, and we are currently in the midst of the third, but don’t notice due to world wide fake money printing. It’s all crashing down now and the war will follow. I’m as ready for the collapse as one could be, as are those around me. Awesome network of brilliant and useful people. All world news is bullshit, but you need to read between the lines of many different sources to understand the situation, which most are not capable of. Seems like you’re on the ball John, and know that America created the China monster at its door. I know we also created a monster repellent. It’s just not going to be pretty when we have to use it…

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John Austin's avatar

"JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon isn’t naïve about the threat China poses to America—and yet he says this issue isn’t comparable to the disintegration of U.S. values from within."

That's kinda the message I meant to transmit, Steve L. It's not the message you received.

I don't believe America created a China monster; credit for its growth goes to Deng and Xi. As to a monster repellent - if you are alluding to the US military, it has failed to win a war in fifty years - even Korea was a draw - against under-resourced VC or Taliban.

I agree with you though - I really don't think it will be pretty if the MIC insists on starting a kinetic war with a country that can build moon probes as well as fighter aircraft. That's not the kind of enemy that the USA is used to fighting.

Take Dimon's advice - put priority on 'rebuilding US values', sort out your pensions, health services, and finances. Balance your budgets.

You have no threats that can cross the Atlantic or Pacific, and safe borders north and south. You don't need to fight enemies that can't threaten you, and don't want to do so anyway. Your only enemy is yourselves.

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Steve L's avatar

The breakdown and loss of morals and values comes from an ideology on the left, or communism. These most morally bankrupt people have infiltrated our schools, media and government. It’s a mental disorder John, and fully supported and fueled by China, the communist country that our government allowed our businesses to compete against ourselves. Not very smart. The next world war could be fought on our shores, due to the exact fact of the above and as oceans are no longer relevant, and you are evidently not an American, nor living on our shores, missing what open borders “north and south” have done to this once great country. You are also wrong about American’s being their own worst enemy, because those who live here, and practice the immorality of the left, are not Americans, but useful idiots of communism. They are the enemy within. Similar to Rome, which was destroyed from within, due to poor leadership and social issues, the barbarians at our gate are The Chinese, and they are already here…

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Petra Kehr's avatar

No clue If I belong into the crowd of your "usual commentors" .

Happy to take that category.

Just saying.....my pov's stem out of watching the world from three different continents. And having the pleasure to meet people there from the other two...

Whats remarkable about your quotes: you seem to take any of them at facevalue.

Good way to get near truth?

Doubt it a bit

Cheers, Petra

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Ed Uehling's avatar

In reading what the two commenters, Steve L. and John Austin, have written above, I'm baffled by your comment,Petra, given that you expose yourself to information from multiple international sources. It is obvious that John does also. It's a mystery to me why you throw John such a low blow (my opinion): "you seem to take any of them (his quotes) at face value". Steve L, on the other hand is obviously a bible-thumping completely intolerant absolutist, shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later neocon type, who dreams up total fantasies about foreigners (immoral) and foreign news services (all bullshit) with direct accusations against Chinese people and their government that can only be seen as extremely racist.

Now, if only Steve L. were capable of seeing things at face value, he would be making a huge contribution to himself and set a path forward for the other know-nothing ideologues who believe their strange attacks against Bill. For a few examples, he would learn:

1. That the warmongers/enslavers of the last 4 centuries and during his lifetime are the pure, God-fearing, loving Christians of Europe and the good ol' USA and that the friendly Jesus-worshipping English were the first invaders during the last 3000 years to knock China off its perch as the #1 biggest economy and relatively close-knit tolerant society (just 180 years ago).

2. That China has lived in peace with 12 of its 14 bordering neighbors--unlike the US that has only 2 such neighbors and is, right now, in conflict with both.

3. That there is zero chance that China would attack the US as suggested the other day by our God-fearing Secretary of War. E.g., can the extremely knowledgeable Steve L. cite even one example of a Chinese-manufactured bomb being dropped on anyone anywhere in the world. China wants peace. Americans barely mumble the word--and have slaughtered tens of millions of foreigners.

4. That the US "created the Chinese monster". Yes, Chinese leaders made the decision in 1979, when a mere one percent of the population made more than one dollar per day, to copy the US free enterprise system. Are you condemning China for that, Steve L?

5. That the so-called Communist government has raised 60-80% of the population out of oppressive poverty during these 40 years, made it possible to virtually eliminate homelessness, punishes political corruption we in the US consider as legal, does not allow corporate control as in the US, has raised wages 10 times in half the number of years that wages in the US have not moved one penny, etc

6. That the accusation that Chinese students are stealing our precious secrets is patently ridiculous: First the Chinese have already surpassed us in most such measurements and second, most Chinese students confine themselves to their dorms because they are afraid of the surrounding violence and of making mistakes in their English.

Please Steve L do us and yourself a favor and travel to China some day. You'll be shocked at what you don't know.

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D J Hadley's avatar

Like the 16th century is the 21st century? Get a grip Bill, they didn't have the internet eitherand most Dutch wealth came from its colonies they conquered like Indonesia.

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Richard Hess's avatar

Amsterdam - been there, nice description.

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Thomas M's avatar

My question is " Please give us the up-to-date political situation on the immigration debacle as well as the history !!!"

The government is breaking down due to immigration so I understand !

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