Energy crisis

The holidays are behind us, we are all hard at work again. The nagging part of society has once again plunged into a new crisis, the energy crisis. There seem to be many people who can no longer pay their energy bills. How is that possible?

People can continue to pay for everything, McDonalds, Netflix, IPhone, Efteling, new tattoos, but the energy bill does not work. Last night I saw Jesse Klaver ranting in the House of Representatives against Carola Schouten, minister for, among other things, poverty policy. I couldn't bear to watch it. One of the cabinet people I still appreciate, a decent woman. She was attacked with razor-sharp words by that gentleman from GroenLinks who has never accomplished anything in his life. I got the impression that Klaver can no longer pay his bills himself, but does not dare to tell his family.

Maslow's Pyramid
Energy is a basic necessity of life. Like food and a roof over your head. It would be good if Maslow's pyramid were taught in primary schools. That people learn early in their lives where your first needs are and what you should therefore prioritize in your spending. Eating and drinking is the basis for good health. To have energy and to deliver your daily performance. Fortunately, I've been taught to prioritize that every day and I teach that to our children too. An iPhone is a luxury good, just like a game console, an OLED TV, Netflix and McDonalds. We talked to each other that this is one of the basic necessities of life. It even gets a higher priority than the energy bill. Our government is now going to take over the debts to energy companies of people who have fallen into financial distress. Knowing that this provokes abuse, they will do so without looking at people's spending patterns. Hey? People in Groningen have been waiting for compensation for years, because the facts must first be carefully examined. The benefit parents have also been under stress for years, because a good file must be built up on a case-by-case basis. Dear Groningers and benefit parents, do not pay the energy bill, the government will take over the debt from you and you will soon be able to settle the debt with the compensation. In the meantime, you can just enjoy yourself.

Energy elsewhere
It is historically dramatic what is happening in Hague circles today. Back from holiday in France, where everything was much better than in the Netherlands, I took the time to follow some interrogations of the parliamentary inquiry. Don't imitate me, because your faith in politics is declining by the minute. The incompetence of the politicians is dripping from it, they are therefore a plaything of civil servants and lobbyists. In Le Figaro one morning I read that France's biggest concern is inflation. That amounts to 6%. How is that possible? With us it is double. France does not rely on gas, they have many nuclear power plants. Even though some of them are closed as a result of aging, they provide a significant share of the required energy. Japan ditto. Despite Fukushima, the Japanese consciously opt for nuclear energy. But we have Mr. Clover and his companions. They plunged us into this crisis and the gentleman is now ranting at Mrs Schouten. What a useless lack of education.