There's no single one example in history of economy, on a country getting out a recession without stimulating domestic consumption firstly. As we can see now, while US or Japan are growing, we are in recession, due to one of the most harmful governments (Rutte-Wilders period) we have suffered in our country.
The only sensible vote in interest of our economy, in coming election, is in favor of parties that propose a new and completely different approach, following the path from new French government and the way, that all schools of economy teach, all over the world. Quick and strong investment, to growth. Leaving foolish superstitions, whithout any rational support, like 3%-by-2013.

Quite logical, considering the economic situation and priviledges being provided to people...no austerity measure is liked by everyone...

Soon all these laws will not even be able to be implemented, the people all over Europe have had enough & there will be a civil uprising.

Why don't we see cuts to foreign aid & cuts to immigrants welfare that have paid no taxes or no welfare for immigrants for the first 10 years, no pensions for immigrants unless they have worked for 40 years in the NL? Instead older Dutch people have to work for longer whilst people that have never paid any tax get a free ride.

Do people realise the extent of the welfare dependency problem with people from overseas?

Of course as the Dutch are currently net EU contributors of 4.7 billion euros, they could take care of 1/3 of these cuts instantly.

@Phil: The extent of the "welfare dependency problem with people from overseas" (where are you referring to anyway?) is overly exaggerated and nowhere near as dire as you paint it to be. Why do you hate people different than you so much?

If you change the word 'leaked' to 'given', it would make a lot more sense considering the looming September elections!!

@Phil...Shhh! You can't say that on here, immigration is only a great thing that makes Holland a better place, you can't mention the reality of what immigration REALLY does to the economy.

" Why don't we see cuts to foreign aid & cuts to immigrants welfare that have paid no taxes or no welfare for immigrants for the first 10 years, no pensions for immigrants unless they have worked for 40 "

Because over 40 years ago you stole their countries you rascist dolt - that's why!!

What, B Bremner?? As an immigrant (as many of us are here), I'd love to know!!

Of course, you WILL provide supporting statistics...

Footbal clubs to pay part of policing costs? I thought clubs paid all the costs!
They should pay 100%.
Phil, re the pension idea. By the time I retire I will have lived here for 26 yrs. If it were based on being here 40 yrs I would lose half my pension despite paying taxes here from 2002.

"Do people realise the extent of the welfare dependency problem with people from overseas?"
I do. I also realise the extent of the welfare dependency problem with people from the Netherlands - have you seen D66' report that says that the Dutch are the society that works the least in the entire industrialised world? Freeloading is not a race or country issue.

@The Equalizer...well 70 years ago the Germans invaded us and stole Holland, should they not pay then? Or the French because of Napolean? Or lets go back even further and sue Sweden for the Viking pillaging Europe! Someone puts an idea forward and you bring out colonialism and accusations of racism, great forward thinking debate.

@CW: The policy whereby you can apply to bring elderly depandants to the Netherlands puts a strain on services and costs extra in pensions which has not been paid for in working taxes. Logic not a statistic.