---

Mindre skat. Mindre statslig indblanding. Mere direkte demokrati. Mere
frihed. Ikke så meget halal-hippie ved voldelige forbrydelser. Lyder som sød
musik i mine øre.

/Rune
- - - - - -

http://dutchreport.blogspot.com/2005/03/dutch-declaration-of-independence.ht
ml

Independent conservative parliamentary member Geert Wilders has written a
political manifesto that will be the basis of his new political party he is
organizing after he left the Dutch Liberal (VVD) party. Some see Wilders as
the new Pim Fortuyn because he is also in opposition to the closed Dutch
political elite and has the potential to become the voice of the discontent
Dutch voters. Just like the assassinated Pim Fortuyn he received threats and
is loathed by the MSM and most other politicians. Below is the translation
of the manifesto:

Declaration of Independence

By Geert Wilders
(Independent member of Dutch Parliament)
1. Introduction
2. Economical and social policies
3. Europe
4. Antilles
5. Security
6. Education
7. Immigration & intergration
8. Street terror
9. Civil rights
10. Voters and elected
11. Conclusion



(Translation version 0.2 - Please note this document still needs substantial
translation revisions, please come back later to get a better version of the
translation)



1. Introduction

So far the Dutch voter got to know me as a politician with clear views on
the multicultural society, immigration, terrorism and security. Sadly enough
this has lead to the mistaken view that my new political movement would be
anti Islam. But nothing is more besides the truth.

The problems with the (radical) Islam are serious and deserve a much firmer
answer than the current government provides. But the problems we are
struggling with in the Netherlands have much deeper roots. We have to deal
with many interconnected crisis's that are the result of the incompetence of
the political elite in Brussel [EU] and Den Haag [The Netherlands]. They
seem to be unable to identify problems objectively and solve them
effectively. Our country is unsafe, the public space is degenerated, the
economy is ailing and the public sector is a mess.

My theme is freedom.

The new political movement will put regaining our freedom central, because
our political, cultural and economical freedoms and independence are in bad
shape at the moment.

For that reason I put freedom central. The freedom that your mother can walk
on the street in the evening, the freedom that you keep enough of your
salary to support your family, the freedom you have because your retirement
fund is safe, the freedom that is there because our companies are thriving,
the freedom you have because the government protects your family against
terrorists, the freedom of a job and a good life, the freedom as a country
to independently make its decisions.

That's the message I want to deliver to a nation that is until now being
hijacked and subjugated by a political elite who does not sufficiently rise
into defense for the preservation of our democratic constitutional state,
our safety, our prosperity or our independence. That the big political
parties - PvdA [Socialists], CDA [Christian Democrats] and VVD [Liberals] -
just always agree on the most important issues, was recently demonstrated
again by their unanimous support for the European constitution and the
admissions of Turkeys to the European union.

Under their leadership the Dutch middleclass has been ignored. The so-called
progressive spirit of the time holds The Netherlands now for 30 years in its
grip of political correctness with a megalomaniac government,
multiculturalism and subjugation to Brussels [European] Bureaucrats. My
former political party, the liberal (VVD) party, never wanted to free it
self from this spirits of the time, instead it follows these same ideas
until the present day.

I love The Netherlands very much - but I love less how it become now. I am
proud on how we succeeded in building a free, prosperous and safe society.
But that is more and more loosing its appeal.

Every fiber in my body resists the idea that we should adept our society to
the norms and values of the Islamic culture, who is alien is to our culture.
Colleague politicians accuse me of doing proposals that are 'not possible':
laws and treaty would stand in the way of execution of my proposals. That
kind of attitude makes me angry. First they let it all happen and then they
put their hands in the air and shout: "Sorry, but we can't do anything about
it anymore".
Needed is a firm political will, which will end the administrative culture
of hiding behind self-invoked powerlessness to not change anything. There
has to be change a lot.

First we have to realize that we are not powerless. In our country we can
shape history our selves, control our destiny as a people, make independent
decisions about the form of our government, our cultural and our economic
system. We have to liberate our selves of a culture of low expectations.

I am not a politician who throws his hands in the air, as a way to apologize
to the voters. I loathe insincere political correct behavior. A
representative of the people should take his own responsibility and not
waiver and above all represent the interest of his voters. That's why I
think creatively about measures to parry all our problems. If international
treaties hinder us in serving our self-interest, we have to modify them and
if needed redraw from them. We have to dare to dream and make possible what
in Den Haag [center of Dutch politics] is kept for impossible.

I plea for a totally new kind of politics, with a totally different style
and content. Not just talk, but action. Not just the nagging of Dutch
politicians but objectively searching for solutions is my device.

The way that The Netherlands has been ruled in the last decennia is the most
important reason for our current problems. I don't want that an elite
made-up out of cowards and scared people (of what political party what so
ever) keep this country hijacked any longer. The political correct "sorry
culture" when they are dealing with the multicultural drama is just one
example of that seizure of The Netherlands by that same political elite.
That is why I also want to combat them on other fronts as well. I want to
give this country back to its citizens.

In this declaration of independence I plea for a number of serious measures,
who restore our country to a state, as it should be: free, prosperous and
independent. Our history now forces us to a struggle that is not without
engagement, but most necessary. That struggle is about the continuation of
The Netherlands as a recognizable nation, a country that is on the point to
say it's old roots goodbye and wants to trade that for multiculturalism,
culture relativism and an European super state and that all under the
leadership of a political elite that long a go lost its way.

Of that elite I declare myself independent.



2. Economical and social policies

That the Dutch government neglects her responsibilities is a directly caused
by a changed conception of its duties. The state has become each time more
involved in Dutch affairs and has been collecting higher taxes to do all
those tasks. Meanwhile the tax burden has become so high that each working
person only stops working for the government after the month of June. Also
the local taxes go through the roof. The average Dutch citizen is confronted
with a failing government but to which he has to pay a growing part of his
salary.

An extensive and an in detailed laid out network of benefits, subsidies and
provisions has made many citizens dependent on the government who as a
mother goose watches over her bread and declares them for the smallest and
minor things as in need for support. That conception of government
responsibility has lead to an enormous bureaucracy and created a dependency
that has lead to love of ease and inactivity.

My social economical plan consists of a list of self-reinforcing measures to
dispose unneeded governments tasks, bureaucracy and regulations. This on the
one hand makes lower taxes possible and on the other hand it creates jobs.
It will create a better climate for entrepreneurs. It makes the economy grow
and that is good for everyone. To make an end on the misuse, that goes
together with the overly royal Dutch welfare state, I plea for a basic
system. That way we can concentrate our solidarity on the group that really
needs it.

Of course I know there are people who really are ill or really can't find a
job. The government should always take care for people like them. By making
the social security less accessible for people who don't want to work and
take tough measures against fraud and un intended use, we create room for
solidarity with the vulnerable. For them I want to fight.

Also, a bigger number of employed people will create a support platform for
the old age pension AOW. The way how we now treat people in nursing homes
who are part of the generation that have buildup our country [in the post
world war II situation] is appalling and a decent country unworthy. I'm
ashamed of it. The problems in the nursing homes are not only caused by
organizational problems but also due to the increasing work pressure and
under valuation of the hard working nursing personnel. This is unacceptable
in a civilized society. We should reserve structurally more money for this.
This is my conviction; a society that who does not offer his elderly a
worthy and human existence, is not worth a penny.

But most of all I want to give the citizens more power back and room to
shape their own lives independently. And by "space", I first of all mean:
financial space.

Thus I'm in favor of much lower taxes, both for individuals and companies.
Each time countries lower their taxes substantially; as recently in Ireland
and Eastern Europe, we have seen their economies prosper.

This plea for lower taxes is all but irresponsible populism. Lower taxes and
a smaller government are the best guarantees for economic growth. Government
spending undermines the economic growth. Getting rid of all kind of rules
and supposed privileges (the 'achievements' of the unions) will lead to a
more flexible labor market that will stimulate businesses enormously. Not
the government but businesses - especially medium and small sized
businesses - create jobs.

The unjustly praised 'Rijnlandse model' has made Europe the sick old man of
the world. In 2004 the CBS [Central Bureau of Statistics] reported that we
had a contracting labor market, not seen since twenty years ago. In the last
quarter of 2004 the Dutch economy contracted as well. Europe (and The
Netherlands) is demographically getting older, invests to little in
innovation, has an education system that lacks quality and has to many
immigrants that come too fast from a situation that lacks opportunity and
they come in large numbers.

In the Netherlands there is nearly no attention for the long-term prospects
of our economy Meanwhile the American economy accelerates away from us and
are China and India threatening competitors. Economic stagnation and demise
can go fast. Argentina for example was around 1900 one of the richest
countries of the world, but collapsed nearly fully within 2 decades. That
should not happen to the Netherlands. That's why our economy has to excel
again. Less talk, more enterprising. A healthy middle class is essential for
a healthy economy. The income position of the middle class deserves more
attention in our country.

To prevent the Argentinean scenario, I come with a plan for a new golden age
of economic growth, one with firm measures for various sectors:
.. Lower taxes, including the ever-rising local taxes, which should directly
be frozen and then lowered each year.
.. This policy of lower taxes should result in a flat tax, which will
stimulate growth and hence will be self-financing.
.. The mortgage rent will always stay tax deductible for homeowners.
.. Fewer rules. The existing rules have to reduce by at least 50 percent. For
each new rule we should first terminate two old ones. To start, we should
close the ministry of economic affairs.
.. Investment in Research & Development, stimulation of innovation and long
term protection by patents.
.. Stopping the "Dutch subsidy state", because pumping money around is
useless and expensive. Let the people decide for them selves for what
charities they like to pay.
.. Development aid will be stopped, except emergency aid. The current support
of 0,8% of the BBP (structurally 4 billion Euro on a yearly basis) will be
reduced to 0,1%, only to be used for emergency aid. The function of Minister
of development aid can be terminated.
.. To stimulate the development in poor countries we are in favor of ending
international trading blockades for these countries and their produce.
.. Tough approach to fraud and corruption, certainly also at the government
.. More people working by eliminating minimum wage law and a more flexible
employment laws [that make firing people easier].
.. A ruthless shrinking of the government (including of a thorough review of
civil servants employment laws): 50% less civil servants.
.. A direct end to the "poldermodel" [consensus model based on multi lateral
meetings with all partners like: government, employer organizations, unions,
etc.], that means an end to the talk and meetings palaces like the SER
[Social Economical Forum] and the "Stichting van de Arbeid" (Labor Society).
.. The abolishment of making collective agreement laws for a whole sector of
employment.
.. But at the same time much more money for the elderly nursing homes.
.. Tough measures against fraud and other unintended use of social benefits,
so that there can grow more support and solidarity with the really
vulnerable and needed.
.. No export of social benefits - from child support to disabilities pay - to
countries outside the EU.
.. Remigration will be greatly stimulated
.. Receivers of social benefits who are not fully disabled should as a return
do community tasks (in care institutions, or public gardens) until they can
return to regular jobs.
.. Child support will be limited to 2 children.
.. More attention to the income position of the middle group
.. The government will always rule about licenses within a prior limited
reasonable time frame.




3. Europe

The clearance sale of Dutch interests and the own Dutch identity becomes
very clear when one looks at how the politicians give away our sovereignty
to a cast of bureaucrats in Brussel. The new European constitution is a
clearance sale of Dutch sovereignty.

With a long process, consisting of small steps an autonomous process as
started that will result in an undemocratic European unitary state,
separated and high exalted above the members states of the European Union. A
union that is miles away from its citizens. By the gradual abolishment of
the national democracy and the political independence, the Netherlands will
in the end become a province of the European super state. In which the roles
of the big states becomes bigger and where the Netherlands on various
terrains will be subordinate to the European Union. Our sovereignty as a
nation - as country that knows very well how to solve its problems - is
being squandered. And this all while many of our laws are already coming
from the bureaucracy in Brussels. The total of European laws and rules
already consists out of more than 100.000 pages. At the same time The
Netherlands is one of the biggest Neto contributors to the European
technocrats, to finance the preservation of their chat palaces in Strasbourg
and Brussels.

Fact is that with the new European constitution no substantial tasks are
given back to the member states. The authority of the EU will only be
expanding further, from immigration to criminal law. These are all maters
The Netherlands can better mange independently. The firm Danish immigration
policy did not came about because of Europe but because the Danes choose for
an opt-out and because of that could successfully go their own way. So where
the Dutch loose their control over the immigration policy to Brussel, the
Danish stay the boss in their own house.

Meanwhile the Dutch voter is never asked about it. On the contrary, he is
constantly is been lied upon. When we would give up our strong guilder for
the new Euro coin this would not lead to increased prizes, promised
[liberal] minister Zalm. But the contrary is true, as any body knows who was
outside politics. Turkey has to become a member of the European Union they
say. The negotiations would be tough, the European leaders promised us. But
on the day they gave them the green light, they reversed their own words
with the vague compromise about the status of Cyprus.

I'm in favor of:

.. To setup a special treaty review commission that will evaluate all treaty
obligations of The Netherlands and formulates proposals on all treaties that
are not in our self interest - because these treaties limits us to much in
our freedom to formulate and execute our own policies - to change or quit
unilateral;
.. The rejection of the European constitution, because we loose too much
power - for example on important areas like immigration and criminal law -
to the bureaucrats in Brussels. But also because large countries - because
of the increased number of qualified majority votes and by the introduction
of population numbers as a basis of vote weight - by it get more influence
on our internal law then The Netherlands it self. The elimination of more
than sixty veto rights is unacceptable, just as the demise of a Dutch
European commissioner with suffrage right. The Netherlands should stay
independent;
.. The European should not expand any further.
Turkey in, The Netherlands out;
.. A special status for The Netherlands in the EU, just like the Danes and
the British. We have to keep out autonomy on immigration affairs. Never may
we allow a civil servant in Brussels or a French politician decide how many
immigrants we need to accept. Also the criminal laws, welfare state, foreign
policy, fishing and agricultural policies and other important policy area's
have to stay under Dutch control. We have to renegotiate our relation with
the EU;
.. The Netherlands, must together with other countries who believe in free
trade, as soon as possible open formal negotiations with the NAFTA members,
to create a Atlantic Free Trade Association;
.. The euro is a big problem. The stability pact is a joke - many big
countries like France, Italy and Greece have ignored the criteria. I plea
not to invite any other country in to the euro zone, and if it happens we
should think about abandoning the euro. Rather a strong guilder then a week
euro;
.. The Dutch financial commitment to the EU is of an absurd size. Just like
Margaret Thatcher our country should refuse to go along with this circus any
longer in that kind of extend. I plea for an EU that disposes 90% of its
current tasks, and thus the Dutch contribution can be lowered with 90% as
well.




4. Antilles

Considering the danger and influx of (drugs) criminality, and considering
the wide spread corruption and administrative incompetence of the Antilles,
the government should promote strongly that the Antilles will be no longer a
part of the Dutch kingdom.
.. The Antilles may no longer be a part of the kingdom.




5. Security

The seizure of The Netherlands population by an alienated elite shows also
in the nonchalant way politicians handle a problem that most people find
very important: criminality and safety.
We don't want that the public space is occupied by, for example wandering
and intimidating youngsters, or that streets due to violence and theft
become one big no-go-area caused by the street terrorism, often (but not
only) caused by persons of Moroccan decent. We want to walk the streets in
safety on any hour of the day. And we want our selves, our families and our
possessions to be safe in our own houses.

The rightful worries on this point where in the past contemptuous put to the
side - it was said they where the result of being a reader of the wrong kind
of newspaper. The change of being prosecuted is to small, the punishments to
low and are not fully executed and that in prisons that do not differentiate
them selves by being stern and sober.

If the government is to serve the people and not the other way around, then
that means that the first priority of that state should be to protect its
citizens against violence and insecurity. The Justice department should be
the top priority of a good government. The leading principle in handling
security, the government needs to choose not primary for the culprit but for
the victim. I always choose for the victims of a criminality and never for
the culprits. In a constitutional state the guilty have to be punished and
the innocent protected. The Dutch constitutional state does already for a
long time not satisfy these criteria. The just character of our
constitutional state has disappeared behind the horizon and has been
compelled by necessity to pragmatism and unacceptable relativism of crime.

In The Netherlands the police - outside her own fault - often not to be seen
anywhere because the government lets the police write traffic tickets for
minor infractions: In the year 2005 more than 10 million.
This development has made it that in The Netherlands not all effort is made
in fighting all kinds of crimes, but that it has become to do ones best with
the means left available. Due to this policy, threatened citizens can not be
helped, but at the same time there can be made all kinds of efforts to make
sure that a convicted criminal, after he served his time, is assured of a
normal life. This is the world upside down.

That is why the weakened and astray Dutch constitutional state needs a
thoroughly structural change. More professionalism in the jurisdiction, more
democratic control in the jurisdiction, a prosecution policy that will
prosecute each crime and focus more on the deed and the victim instead for
the culprit. These are some of the results this structural change leads to.

We have to thoroughly reorganize the police. No-go-areas are unacceptable.
If needed, we deploy the riot police as well as the army to restore order.
The lack of manpower is a problem but the bureaucracy is possible even a
bigger enemy of our safety. Every crime report should swift and serious be
processed. Police offices in all parts of the Netherlands should be open 24
hours a day.

Especially in the security domain are a series of emergency measures very
much needed, such as:

.. The introduction of the three strikes you're out principle: after three
violent crimes you get life.
.. The introduction of minimum sentences.
.. Higher punishments for acts of violence.
.. Rather five prisoners on one prison cell, then one criminal released to
soon.
.. The abolition of superannuation principle for serious violent crimes.
.. The abolition of the early release [right] of prisoners.
.. The abolition of unsupervised trial leave for people in preventive
detention.
.. The abolition of community work sentences for crimes that involve violence
and threats.
.. The introduction of reeducation camps.
.. The introduction of more structural damage payments for victims.
.. Extension of preventive searches to the whole of The Netherlands.
.. Creation of a ministry of safety by merging the home affairs and the
Justice ministry.
.. A steep extension of the number of police officers, so that they can
become serviceable to the citizens and ticketing occurs again because the
law is broken and not to collect as much money possible.
.. Making it (internationally and nationally) possible to denaturalize
criminals of violent crimes who have a double nationality.
.. When needed the military needs to be deployed to upholding civil order.




6. Education

Education is essential for the well being of a society. Because the
Education department was for years dominated by the PvdA [socialists] our
country is now saddled with a system of 'basis vorming' [basis forming],
'eerste fase' [first phase] and 'tweede fase' [second fase] that has totally
eroded our educational system. Good citizenship is one of my themes and that
is why I plea to test pupils more thoroughly on a firm knowledge around
culture, national identity and history which will give an important
contribution to the development to their personality. This should be the
focus of the norms and values debate that otherwise get stuck in vagueness.
Apart from that, we have to get rid of the idea that civil servants in Den
Haag [the political capital] should make the curriculum for all the schools.
Let the parents and the teachers determine the content of the education and
let the subsequent educational institutes freely select their students.

Instead of all those big and unwieldy anonymous fused teaching fabrics, I
want to have small scale schools that are for human beings. The
'ambachtschool' [Technical instructional education], breading ground for
generations of hardworking Dutch fooks, has to return. Just like the
reformatory for pupils who are out of control and need a firm approach.

The freedom of education is important, except when this freedom is misused
to introduce a type of education that his hostile to our society. That's why
inspections and quality monitoring stays important. For a ministry of
education I see no need. That will be abolished. It is all about well
motivated teachers who need to get trust and space. We have to end the
current diarrhea of directives and memo's that come from the ministry of
Education.

Within the Islam and the Muslim community the separation between state and
charge is not fully recognized. That is why the founding of Islamic schools
cannot be seen as something other than harbinger of segregation and
backwardness, because these schools do not contribute to the development of
Western citizenship values. Article 23 of the constitution will stay, but
Islamic schools may not be founded. Different situations don't need to be
treated equally.
.. Pupils need to be tested more thoroughly on their knowledge of culture,
national identity and history.
.. The ambachtscholen [Technical instructional education] should return.
.. The ministry of Education should be abolished.
.. The confidence in teachers and parents should be restored they should get
the primate.
.. Islamic schools may not be founded.




7. Immigration and intergration

Islam and democracy are not compatible. But Muslims could be won over for
our Democracy. But I resist the abuse that groups of Moslems make of our
rights and freedoms of our constitutional state. Some abuse the freedom of
religion to spread hatred, the freedom of education to set on children
against our society, the freedom association for activities that are meant
to undermine our society. We have a jurisdiction that (until now) makes it
impossible to arrest people (for example: potential perpetrators of terror
attacks or youngsters who want to go attend a trainings camp in Afghanistan)
preventively or to expel and denaturalize criminal culprits of violent
crimes who have a dual nationality.
This has to change.

We have to deny the use of our civil rights to does (Islamic) radicals who
want to eliminate our constitutional state and civil rights. That will not
weaken our constitutional state but will strengthen it. This is already
possible in Germany.

Although the number of asylum seekers as dropped in recent year, it still is
too high. The enormous numbers of rejections says it all. That is why no
more asylum seekers should be allowed to enter; all political refugees
should be helped in the region. There will be made exceptions for those
political refugees that come from regions that have demonstrable lack of
refugee capacity, with a maximum of 5000 per year. For we have exceeded the
limits of our absorption capacity a long time a go.

The use of headscarfs in public functions will become prohibited.

International treaties that hinder us in taking the right measures to solve
integration problems, such as the (provisional) closure of our borders for
the temporary stop for marriage and family reunion based immigration of non
western immigrants from Turkey and Morocco. If Turkey in the near future
become an European Union member and we sooner of later get an invasion of
immigrants, we no longer can force them to follow integration courses,
because they will be EU citizens.

Not only should radical imams leave the country, we should also undertake
much firmer action to close radical mosques (and dissolve their
administration). Financing by radicals - such as salafist groups out of
Morocco or Wahhabitish groups out of Saudi Arabia - should be prohibited.

A tough approach on all these issues will not only be to the benefits of
Dutch society but also have positive effects for the majority of Muslims in
our country who have nothing to do with extremism or terrorism.

The Netherlands is full. The problems with integration are enormous. I want
the integration of the people of foreign decent who now stay in our country
to become a success, but bringer water to the sea is seldom effective. That
is why we have to limit immigration and we have to close the borders for
non-western immigrants - for family forming and reunion - for at least five
year. Marriage immigration based on marriages between nephews and cousins
will be forbidden. Immigrants who already live in the Netherlands should get
a by law binding integration duty. In case they fail to integrate enough -
and do not have the Dutch nationality - they should loose their staying
permit and leave The Netherlands, independent of how long they already
stayed in The Netherlands.

Getting the Dutch nationality becomes less easy. Only persons who qualify
for all their citizens' demands, have at least 10 years legally worked in
The Netherlands and have during those 10 years never committed any criminal
offence will be eligible for the Dutch nationality. As long as someone does
not have the Dutch nationality they can not claim social benefits.

Integration means choosing for Dutch society. It is illogical to give people
who do not have the Dutch nationality, suffix rights. That's why the suffix
rights for Dutch municipality elections for foreigners will be revoked.

Dutch is the national language and that will become party of the
constitution. All text and announcements from the government will only be
given in Dutch. No leaflets in Arabic or Turkish.
.. (Islamic) radicals can loose their civil rights
.. Temporary stop on the admission of asylum seekers, help should take place
in the region, for exception there will be a quota.
.. The use of headscarfs in public functions will be prohibited.
.. Immigration for marriage and family reunion will be prohibited for 5
years; marriage between nephews and cousins will never be facilitated by
immigration.
.. Radical mosques will be closed and their administrations dissolved.
.. Financing from extremist countries will be prohibited.
.. Naturalization can only come about after working 10 years in the
Netherlands and during that one has not committed any criminal offence
during those 10 years, mean while their can be no social benefits claims.
.. The suffix rights during municipality elections of foreigners will be
revoked.
.. All government scripts will only be done in Dutch.





8. Street terror

Street terror is an enormous problem that is too often ignored. Street
terror takes place in many cities and villages and is often, but not always,
perpetrated by immigrants. We can no longer tolerate this. The protection of
citizens and families should be forcefully taken at hand. Violent criminal
acts needs to become punishable by denaturalization en eviction. Here will
rule reciprocity. For example if people in Morocco have a double nationality
and commit a crime in Morocco they can be denaturalized and evicted. It does
not make sense that The Netherlands cannot treat Moroccan's with a double
nationality the same. To make it possible the Dutch government should try to
get support in the EU to alter the European treaty about nationality. If
this not becomes a possibility we cancel the treaty unilateral.
.. In case double nationality should violent crimes be made punishable by
denaturalization and eviction.




9. Civil rights

The freedom of speech is the most important right in a free and democratic
society and prevails over other civil rights. The other civil rights should
stay equal in priority.

An imam who wishes a politician dead, may - how abject as that may be - wish
and even say that. That does not mean inciting violence, hatred or other
crimes are punishable by the law and that the law gives enough possibilities
to do so. Also the freedom of religion is already limited by our
constitution. The writer of the constitution has written that there is
freedom of religion within the boundaries of the law. Incitement of hate,
calling for violence (against woman, homosexuals or the democratic
constitutional state) needs to be prosecuted firmly by the Justice
department.
.. Freedom of speech is the most important civil right.




10. Voters and elected

The citizens want a different kind of politics. The fact that a quarter of
the voters during the municipality elections, votes for local political
parties, shows an aversion for the old politicians and a wish for renewal. I
want to stand up for the local parties, without formally representing them.

That The Netherlands is hold hostage by a political elite is shown best by
how the courtiers of Denhaag treat the voters. Once in the four years
(usually) the citizens are allowed to vote. But by using a shady coalition
process for coalition building, the ladies and gentlemen politicians decide
for them selves what happens with that vote. The voter has no control on a
system, that with his vote brings people in parliament, he does not even
know. Let alone that those parliamentary members feel obligated to account
for their choices and voting record. Parliament is full of gray mousses that
have in common that they are preoccupied with their self-interest and not,
or hardly, are judged on their functioning. This nepotism has to end: to
distribute all nice jobs in the public administration (for example the
governors of the queen for the provinces, burgomasters, and other functions
in consultative councils and public administration) under them selves.

This self-supporting system that has isolate it self from society, I
despise. On a turning point in the history of The Netherlands have our
forefathers declared independence by the acte van Verlating (1581). They
canceled their support for a monarch who thought that the people were there
for him, instead that he was there for the people. Also for this reason is
again a declaration of independence justified.

I want politics to be no longer deaf to the daily problems with which
ordinary people struggle every day. For that reason I am in favor of more
direct forms of democracy.

Thus I am in favor:
.. An electoral system in which there is a more direct relationship between
voter and elected who should be accountable to the voter; Not an
introduction of a district system but a system that enhances and makes more
transparent the bond between the voter and the elected; Make the number of
votes on a political candidate leading for his position on the party list.
.. The number of priority votes to elect a political candidate directly into
parliament should be much lower.
.. Binding referenda on subjects that are essential for the future of this
country, for example: modifications on the constitution or the acceptance of
important treaties.
.. Limit the number of provinces (an nearly unneeded administration layer) to
four [now twelve].
.. Abolishment of the senate [different from American senate], their function
as chambre de reflexion can be done by the Raad van State.
.. Reduce the number of parliamentary members from 150 to 100, so that they
can focus on the big picture.
.. The abolishment of subsidies for political parties, who should stand on
their own feet, by transparently gaining support and finance from society.
.. Direct elections by the citizens for burgomasters, big city police
commissioners and members of the courts; the introduction of trial by jury,
to make sure that the voice of the people is also hearth in the courts.
.. Independent, diverse media. That is why we should limit state television
to 1 channel [now 3], solely to be used only by the NOS. All government
subsidies to all other media outlets are stopped directly and permanently.
.. Limit the excessive side jobs of administrators, such as the
commissionaires of the Queen. All what these government servants earn above
10% of their salary that is paid by the taxpayer will be given back to the
taxpayer.
.. The immediate abolishment of the special social security benefits for
politicians and administrators, they get the regular social security
benefits just like all other citizens.
.. The immediate introduction of rules that makes it mandatory to former
parliamentary members and other politicians to seek jobs while living on
social security.




11. Conclusion

The Netherlands I love is a Netherlands that is again free, safe and
prosperous and where the government is for the citizens and not the other
way around:
.. A Netherlands that keeps it own identity of which it is proud, and not to
be taken over by or adapt to alien cultures, or dilute to much by joining
super national institutions.
.. A Netherlands that is not controlled by fear for attacks or street terror,
a country that fights crime and the threat of terrorism with the appropriate
measures.
.. A Netherlands with a flourishing small and medium sized businesses and
with extra attention to the median incomes; both are the backbone of
society.
.. A Netherlands that gives young people changes, respectfully handles the
elderly and invests in a life worthy existence for people in nursing homes.


This is in short my program. All issues and many other areas of importance
that are not mentioned here - from health care to environmental policies -
will be handle later. But this is what the voter in general can expect from
my new political movement. My program does where needed an appeal on a
strong government, but wants to push back its influence in other areas.
Because I believe in the power, pride and honor of the Dutch citizens. I
know they want to have the space to take their responsibilities and shape
their own lives.

Who want to be taken by the hand, like a baby and is willing to deposit a
large part of his hard earned money to the IRS, has to go with Wouter Bos
from the PvdA [Socialists]. Who just like the liberal manifest [new manifest
of the liberal party] not wants to choose between left and right, has to go
with the VVD [liberals]. Who wants to control is own life, in a country that
offers him freedom and security and that does a call on his self-sufficiency
and creativity, is welcome in my new movement.

The choice is up to the citizens. I will work free and independently. I will
work out my program without concessions. I will come with a list of
qualified parliamentary candidates with a spine. This all when time is due.

I hope and wish that people who underwrite the content of this program, want
to support the development of this new political movement. I call on them to
provide this support.

I hope that the citizens of The Netherlands want to join me on a path to a
better Netherlands. Without excuses and reservations I choose for a free,
prosperous and independent Netherlands. Our families, our history and our
future deserve it.

Ounce our forefathers changed this swamp delta in an oasis of tolerance and
economical success, with a flag that is all over the world synonymous with
freedom. That flag deserves it to keep floating in freedom.


Geert Wilders

March 13, 2005