Wow. embarrassing

European Parliament elections took place June 7th, 2009. This was possibly the most embarrassing election I've lived through. First a quick word about all the parties:

MSZP: The socialist party; currently holds about 48% of the parliament. They are big part of the current reforms in actually bringing private enterprise into things such as health care and reforming the massive bureaucratic government.

SZDSZ: the Free Liberal party; currently holds about 10% of the parliament. They usually support the socialist, but they support a flat tax instead of one that's with brackets.

MDF: I consider them a decent conservative party. They currently hold about 7% of the parliament, and they an economical conservative stance, but socially a liberal one. They are actually for keeping socialized health care, but they support helping out businesses.

FIDESZ: They are moderate conservative party currently holding about 35% of the parliament. At the moment they refuse to agree with anything MSZP or SZDSZ proposes and demands they step down and allow for early elections. They usually stand for helping the "common person" with tax cuts. They spun the EP elections into their own "national referendum".

Jobbik (MIEP): Far right extreme conservative party. Up till now they have not been able to gain the 5% threshold you need to progress to either the European or the Hungarian parliament. They have slogans such as "Hungary for the Hungarians" and "Gypsy crime is real" and "let's take back the country from this hostage situation".

LMP-HP: The "other politics" and humanist party are both an extremely environmentally friendly and socially liberal parties. They are both quiet new but neither have received the 5% required for either parliaments. They help organize events such as critical mass with thousands of bike riders in Budapest. They want to introduce a EU-wide minimum wage and an EU wide 1% income tax to even out the playing field. They are also big on cutting corruption in the current government.

So what happened?
MSZP: 18%
FIDESZ: 57%
MIEP: 15%
MDF: 5%
LMP: 2.6%
SZDSZ: 2.1%
others: ~1%

This means that of the 22 seats Hungary has, MSZP receives 4, MIEP receives 3, FIDESZ receives 14, and MDF receives 1. This is extremely sad not because my party won, but because Jobbik for the first time ever won seats; and not just one, three seats! Just so you get an idea how unbelivable this is, here is an article about the party leader:

Morvai writes obscene anti-Semitic post

Jobbik chief MEP candidate Krisztina Morvai has written in a message to Hungarian Jews posted on an online forum that “I would be greatly pleased if those who call themselves proud Hungarian Jews played in their leisure with their tiny circumcised dicks, instead of besmirching me. Your kind of people are used to seeing all of our kind of people stand to attention and adjust to you every time you fart. Would you kindly acknowledge this is now OVER. We have raised our head up high and we shall no longer tolerate your kind of terror. We shall take back our country.”

She made the remarks on the Deák Ferenc Civic Forum website.

Morvai's wrath was unleashed by comments from Gábor Barát, finance manager of a New York radiology institute, who called her a psychiatric case and a monster. Barát, referring to himself as “a proud Hungarian Jew,” said Morvai foments hatred and said she should be banned from politics for her dangerous remarks.

Morvai did not deny that she wrote the message, but declined to comment further.

Antall-era foreign minister Géza Jeszenszky said in a message posted on the same forum that “this tone and style are astonishing, unworthy of Hungarian traditions and a woman. All decent Hungarian people can only condemn this contribution. Such words were not written even by Csurka”. (N pp.1&4)

Well best of luck to the European parliament.

Update on the Economy

The Economy is pretty much in shambles! I don't want to elaborate too much, because people will fall asleep, but the only reason the Hungarian Economy ONLY loosing 2.5% of it's value as of now yr/yr is because the Agriculture sector has experienced a miraculous 72% growth from last year. And we were doing so good up to Q3 2008, our economy was finally recovering from the reforms...and then it got punched in the face...

On the happier side CPI inflation came out to be at 3.0% yr/yr..which is a very healthy rate. That's the only good news in economy these days.

Clean air

I am going to copy this article off of the www.pestiside.hu website. Credit given to them. February 26th:

Budapest Racks Up Both Clean and Filthy City Awards

According to a report from our friends at Hungary Around the Clock, Budapest won the dirtiest city "award" in an online poll followed by overpolluted regulars from the Hungarian rust-belt Ózd and Miskolc. This of course comes only a day or so after the EU recognized Bufapest for its efforts to fight pollution through educating citizens and other means, such as (we're guessing) the decision to only allow half of the cars into the city on smog filled days. And judging from the picture, it's been working, as you can almost make out what that circular bright thing in the sky is!

Financial advise, BUY FORINTS

The economy STINKS in central Europe just as much as it does here. All of the CE currencies are plummeting. My advice? Buy! There is no way that, the forint will stay this cheap! Historically speaking the forint has been as cheap as 290 forints for a US dollar back in the early 2000s, but that was back in the stone age. We have hit a new era, and I, as an expert in economics (I wish), would be very surprised to see it go above 250. What does this mean? You buy 2000 dollars worth forints, you will ideally get 465 000 forints... You wait 1 year for the forint to gain back it's "natural"~195 value and you cash in! You return around 2400 dollars and profit a quick 400 dollars! A quick 20% increase in your money in just one year! Not bad...Except I forgot to mention that we don't live in an ideal world. Even IF the forint gains its value back and hits 195 from its current 232, you will only be able to buy at the "buy value" which will be about 10 forints lower than the current 232, 222. You will also only be able to sell at the sell value, which'll be 10 forints higher than 195, 205... Oh , and I forgot about commission in both transfers, which is at about 2%. So I'll do the math so you don't have to.. ::COUNTS IN HEAD!:: now you've gained 80 bucks in a year... Oups.. I forgot to account for inflation....Even during these horrible economic times, they are at about 2.5% a year.. So in real value you've only gained 30 bucks.. Plus you probably had to drive to the bank and back, which with gas consumption will take off another 5 bucks; pay a bank fee at the American bank of 10 dollars per exchange... So now we are at what, 5 dollars? You've probably put in about 30 minutes of work and 15 minutes figuring this out, meaning that's another 5 dollars minimum wage. You've come out even! WOW, my advice, BUY FORINTS! It serves you better than any other stock!

Pécs 2010

Pécs's mayor died of cancer a couple of days ago. The reason this is weird is because the last mayor died in a car crash, and the one before that died as well (I believe... I might stand corrected on the 3rd one). Mayors in Pécs are not very lucky. Especially since they have less than a year and a half to build a European cultural capital. The city is behind with nearly every project. Pécs, a city with a metropolitan population of around 250 thousand, was chosen for the 2010 cultural capital. An interesting characteristic of Pécs is that it encompasses a lot of Turkish architecture due to its history of the ottoman empire leading over it. It is a gorgeous city with a lot of culture, just wish the projects would get done.. I would become mayor, but then I'd probably die.Just one plan out of the hundreds...The plans for the Corso Hall:


The sight under construction:

I haven't posted in forever--time to change

I've just been lazy not caring, but there is always something to post so I'll continue.

Back in the Ol' country news updates:

-New statistics show that 20% of couples are infertile and the number is growing.. Large portion of them don't turn to doctors. (caboodle)

-A large portion of the government's shortfall in taxes this year is resulting from people switching over to a lower alcoholic percentage beer, that consequently falls in a lower tax bracket. (index)

- A bus split apart......


That's all for now, more later..

1956

Tomorrow, October 23rd, we celebrate our 52nd anniversary of the 1956 revolution. We remember our uprising and loss of thousands of lives for our brief independence. We remember being lied to that the soviets were moving out, just to be hammered and have thousands more killed. We remember falsely believing that someone from the outside will actually help us. We remember our complete failure, yet we remember all this with a certain pride. What we did was something no one could imagine at that time. We, even if for just a brief period, beat the soviets. We became independent. We worked together, the farmers provided food, the police provided ammo, the doctors service, and for no money--but for independence. And this revolution should unite us and not seperate us. Here are some pictures to help us remember:

Is Hungary Iceland?

A lot of analysts have been comparing the economic crisis in Iceland as to what will happen in Hungary. As Andras Simor said on CNBC, the only two things Hungary and Iceland have in common are that both are mid-small sized countries in area, and both have tons of thermal water.. Let's take a closer look.

-Iceland population: 300 000 Hungary's Population: 10 000 000... That means we are 35 times their size.

-Iceland GDP: 10 billion USD; Hungary GDP: near 200 billion

-Hungary is a member of the European Union.. Iceland is not...

-Hungary has a trade surplus, Iceland does not.

-Hungary's export (besides porn): Cars (Audi, Mercedes, Suzuki, GM, etc...); electronics (HP, Phillips, IBM); wheat;

-Iceland's export: Fish

-Iceland's short term debt is 1700% of their GDP (wow), Hungary's bellow 100%.

Yeh not the same

Train crash

People have many names for MAV, the state train service. They often mock, joke and insult them; but one thing everyone concedes: MAV is a relatively cheap safe and quick way to get from point A to point B in Hungary. That's why it came as a huge surprise that an intercity train collided with an express train yesterday near Monoierdo. There were four deaths-- due to the accident the minister of transportation resigned. Mav is now offering compensation for all those affected, they just have to turn in their VALID TICKETS?!?!?! Okay this makes some sense, we wouldn't want people showing up with injuries claiming they were on the train, but I mean finding my ticket would be the least of my priorities after experiencing a crash like that. Not to mention the fact that I usually throw my ticket into one of the trash cans immediately after it is checked; I guess I would be f---ed . I wish the best for the families of those who died in this crash; and for the 30+ who were seriously injured.

Uj Magyarorszag

The Government started a propaganda brainwashing program earlier last year. These ads are there to tell us that we are living a better life than we really think we are. The main ad starts out by saying "There is country, in which there is a town" It shows a town with clean colorful buildings, while in reality towns today are full of graffiti, dog shit, and homeless people on the sidewalks. "In this town there is an apartment" showing a nice upgraded apartment; however reality again is more dissapointing--most apartments are falling apart. "In that apartment there's a little girl" Then it zooms in on a little kid playing with a puzzle. What is this? Fairy land? kids dont play with puzzles anymore, they are stuck to the computer killing other kids cyber figure on different computers. "and in that girl the whole country is hidden"... Then it goes on showing people saying the country is inside of them. Well I dont know if this is something I would spend millions on; Hungary is beautiful, but people need to see that themselves and not on TV.

If you would like to look at these ads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BISGOYg-fEg
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DizzdUX8ls&feature=related

Opposition leader Orban Viktor visits America

Pestiside reported that Orban Viktor recently visited America. He apparently attended the Republican convention and met up with several key political figures such as Bush the senior. Afterwards he felt horrible because he was treated as a regular not important middle aged American, probably having gone through several occasions where true Americans told him "You foreigner, go back to where you came from!". These people probably thought he was just an ordinary poor foreigner, didn't know that his wealth is actually so great that the sport car he drives back home is worth more than their house. If you haven't heard about Orban before, there are several interesting facts about him. (in hungarian last name comes first)

-His name is close to Obama...kind of...Orban Obama?
-He was first a liberal party leader, than a right wing party leader, and now a center right wing party leader. He is actively thinking about joining the communist party (last part made up)
-In 1989 he actually complimented Gyurcsany Ferenc as to be one of the only politicians worth listening to; now he himself began a boycott with his party and does not sit in any of the parliamentary sessions where Gyurcsany is speaking. Truth is he is a sore loser, having lost 3 elections and only won one four year term.
-Talks about how horrible it is that the same leaders in politics keep their position forever, yet the socialist party has switched leaders 4 times in the time that he had been the leader of the Center Right Party Fidesz.
-He loves using the fear tactic, just look at some of their campaign posters (see pictures)

>(left) 67% gas price increase during the ruling of the socialist party
(right) 400 thousand people are unemployed and will stay that way if we keep this government

Gaurdian angels for those who want to move to Hungary!

Caboodle reports that the Hungarian government offers free Guardian stalkers..or errm...angels. This service is primarily for woman, especially ones who are having babies; however, every legal citizen is entitled to these "angels" for help with chores, advice in life, and general guidance. If you are planning to have a baby in this former 3rd world communist sh-t hole, now enlightened capitalistic country, consider this quote from www.caboodle.hu:
"...experts say Hungarian maternity policy is among the best in all the former socialist states, and in addition to ongoing emotional and personal assistance from a védőnő {Angel stalkers!_, benefits include exemption from co-payments at the doctor's office and six months of paid maternity leave."
The capital even has an angel looking down at you at all times in case the stalker one you actually asked for isn't enough. Big angel is watching you!


We are just piling up on the reasons to move to this place! Cold weather, Coldplay, too many highways, men that treat women more equally, tons of bikes, a new metro, and guardian stalkers!

No more CARS! European Car free day. Cold play

Several large cities in Hungary, such as Debrecen, Budapest, and Szeged, have held bike rallies or shut down certain streets to celebrate the European car free day . This is in effort to get people to stop using cars. Ha. We are addicted, cars are our drugs. The number of cars in Hungary has probably more than quadrupled since communism ended. Maybe we should go back to the old ways :p. Bikes on the Pest river bank>>





In addition to the cold weather Budapest has been experiencing lately, Cold play is coming to Papp Laszlo Arena tomorrow. All the cheap tickets are sold out, and the ones left range between 175 dollars and 300 dollars. Anyone want to go, I'll be their tour as long as they pay for my air and concert ticket. A little story about Papp Laszlo arena, named after our best boxer, it first burned down in the late 90s; now they built a building that looks like a UFO with little pokey things on the side that look like they are designed to stab people.

Balaton Bill passed.

Parliament passed the Balaton bill-- allowing more "economic development" to be made on the shore lines of Lake Balaton. Considering that on the southern shore it is impossible to find a quiet place anywhere on the 70 mile shoreline where one can actually enjoy nature...relatively alone, and the northern shore is fast approaching this, I'd suspect they are going to build towns and cities above and under the lake now. Then we can have slides coming down straight into the middle of the lake. I think what we are forgetting is that the charm of Lake Balaton is that it's a beautiful lake, and not that it has skyscrapers being built right outside of it with slides coming down from the 100th story. People can go to a water park for that.

Want to go barefoot for a day? Brrr.

Though a "go barefoot through school" movement had just started in North Carolina it probably won't be able to spread to Hungary. If it does, I think every one is going to get a cold. The High in Sopron yesterday was a steaming 47 degrees, while even the capital, Budapest, could hardly break that 50 degree Fahrenheit mark. Oh and the low? 37 degrees. Those Hungarians really wish that I meant Celsius; they really are not used to winter starting in mid September. In response Mr.Gyurcsany decided he will tax those mean and nasty energy companies, and use the money that comes in to help the poor pay for heating.

For those woman looking at foreigners:

"Equality in relationships most important for Hungarian men, survey shows" -www.caboodle.hu

12000 men were surveyed in several European nationalities, Hungarians found equality the most important factor in their relationship. Despite this progressive view, in other manners men were rather conservative. They believed that women could raise children better than they can. So if you are looking at a Hungarian, and let's say, a German or Polish guy, make sure to choose the Hungarian!

MADE IN COMMUNISM... Ikarus>cars

If you did not know, during communism IKARUS buses were the buses almost all the communist countries used. These were all Hungarian buses, and though each had its own faults, overall they were very dependable; many are still used today. In fact, up until the very recent past (two months ago), Ikarus was still making buses under the IKARUS name; now it has changed names. Let me tell you all a secret, even america uses these communist buses, so much so that the buses they use were often produced during communism and bought used! Go to Philadelphia or San Diego, for example, ride the mass transit and check the type of buses they have. Wait a second, aren't both of those cities liberal? HA supporting those communist, it's all a propaganda by this Obama guy. I knew it. So what happens when an Ikarus bus crashes into a car? Let's just say it doesn't look pretty for the these crappy capitalist cars (and yes that bus was made in the 80s, during communism):

Sorry for the Delay

I've been having some high school difficulties, but here is the news update!:

The socialist party handed in a budget composed mostly of ideals that the liberals have campaigned for and supported. The Socialists have 48% of the parliament, and thus were counting on the liberals to allow them to pass this budget by sucking up to them. The liberals, however, do not support this budget idea that was practically copy pasted from their "ideal budget" part of their website. It goes completely against their beliefs-- but of course this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the prime minister has a 35% approval rating and that the liberal party historically have been total panzies.


The first of the new metros for the 2nd and 4th metro lines have been built. Though it could have been a lot worse, in many ways they are the definition of shitty design. There are a lack of handles on coming down from the top (there are a few but not nearly enough--and the ones that do exist are designed for tall people and not for people such as RC (even the girl in the picture had to wear high heels), there are fewer seats than in the old ones, and less standing area, yet the train is longer. Geometrically I do not know how this is possible, but it is supposedly true. Picking the wonderful color of white, the metro is practically begging for graffiti, not to mention I don't quiet understand why they would need windshield wipers when the 4th line is going to be completely underground..

And lastly, in Budapest news, the northern part of the M0 bridge opened up today. This was supposed to be called the Stephen colbert bridge but it is now just called Megyeri Bridge. Still Only the budapestians are stupid enough to waste money on celebrating with fireworks and lasers of the opening of the 9th bridge across the Danube in the city? you'd think they'd get tired after the 5th or 6th, but no way, they are very much into it; especially since this bridge is bigger and more expensive than all the others!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY_4Zbj9OWg&feature=related

New Highways, New Rules--

Hungary has done undoable . We've built more Highways than there is space for. It used to be simple, we had the M7 to take us down to Balaton, and the M1 to take us to the civilized world, the west. Now We have M5, M70, M9, M3, M0, M40, M4, M My God.., M WTF, and M We really don't know where we are going. We've even accomplished building this useless bridge for about 20 times as much as it would have cost to just move the highway 1 mile to the east.

So now that we have all these highways, what do we do? We hire new police to enforce the law. There are police now enforcing that no one is going too SLOW on the highway according to www.caboodle.hu. Infact special cameras are set up to detect slow moving vehicles. Now I don't know if anyone here has driven in Europe, but slow is the least of our worries.

Oh and we adopted the 0 tolerance rule with the "Drink or Drive" posters. Apparently people who have a beer are the devil. I also don't see why the driver is smiling. He can't drink, and he has to worry not only about going too fast but going too slow on an over expensive highway his tax money paid for probably with kids yelling in the back. Yes I know that is a run on sentence, but Hungarians like to ramble on and on, so my sentences will do the same.

Nothing special

Let's be honest. We haven't really had quiet days in the news for the past 1008 years, so let's enjoy this while it lasts. Some of the headlines of the day were:

-Unemployment drops from 7.8 to 7.5%. That means out of a 100 people, 7 are probably on the streets begging, and theres half persons running around as well--I just haven't seen them.

-BKV has a new manager. I feel sorry for the dude. He is about to manage a public transport company that can't raise ticket prices because the public will riot, can't fire people because the unions are too strong, can't ask for more funding cause there is none, and so like the last 3 we've had, he will probably resign.

Yeh boring stuff-- peace out.