The Missing Link

March 31, 2006

Big Government: You reap What You Sow

Libertarians are always warning that when the government seems to provide something free for citizens the bill is paid in lost liberty. Let's turn to the Netherlands, that bastion of democratic socialism, to see the libertarians vindicated:

AMSTERDAM — The Dutch Labour Party (PvdA) has proposed recovering part of the cost of study from highly-educated women who decide not to seek paid work.

MP Sharon Dijksma, deputy chairperson of the PvdA's parliamentary party, believes the punitive measure is needed to stimulate more women to join the workforce. She outlined her ideas in 'Forum', a magazine published by employers' group VNO-NCW.

"A highly-educated woman who chooses to stay at home and not to work - that is destruction of capital," Dijksma said. "If you receive the benefit of an expensive education at the cost of society, you should not be allowed to throw away that knowledge unpunished."

The MP said a fine for non-working mothers is a logical consequence of the PvdA's intention to introduce a 'feudal system', under which graduates repay money dependant on their earnings. "If someone chooses not to work, then a substantial repayment is in order," Dijksma said.

A high proportion of Dutch women traditionally favour working only part-time or staying at home to care for their families.

Posted by Conor at March 31, 2006 04:06 AM