I really shouldn't ...

Even though I know I shouldn't do it too often, I can't help but open a news site almost every day to see what's 'the news' in my country. For those who didn't know, my country is the Netherlands. Every day I scroll through the messages, and for a while, I have been reading people's reactions in particular. And just as I do, I almost fall off my chair in surprise.

In an age where information is more easily accessible than ever before, it remains astonishing how many people express themselves about everything without really having a clue what they are talking about. Take as an example a complex topic like "Government Finance". An article is written in which some flat figures are given, and the message is positive. The Netherlands has put its public finances in better order again and the budget deficit has decreased. It also explains where the government derives its income from and what the expenditure is. The latter is precisely the problem for many people. One of the largest expenditures of the Dutch government is "Social Benefits".

Can you feel it yet? People immediately start shouting, everyone feels shortchanged. Social benefits should be abolished according to people. It is shouted by many people, "Not working is not money", so it immediately becomes clear that they have no idea what they are talking about. The heading "Social Benefits" includes so much more than just the "social assistance benefit" known in the Netherlands. The heading "Social Benefits" also includes all benefits for people older than 66 years and 4 months. Incidentally, this age will continue to rise in the coming years, so you have to work longer and longer before you can finally stop. This is also the largest cost item within the heading "Social Benefits". Can you abolish this? No! You can't abolish this, and you can't lower it either, because people who have to live on this can no longer make ends meet. This indeed illustrates that we are dealing with 'aging', and that this is indeed a problem. But that cannot be solved by taking away their income. These people deserve this!

Lack of knowledge, lack of insight

The lack of insight in people commenting on the articles is simply incomprehensible to me. I grew up and was raised with the idea that I should keep my mouth shut about subjects I know nothing about. And if I want to join the conversation, I also have to make sure I have the facts straight and understand what I'm talking about. And it is precisely the latter that is easier than ever in this digital age. You don't have to go to a library or be an insider in government to get this information. You can just find this on the internet, no one has to do in-depth research for that. A simple Google command, or even easier, a well-written Bing AI prompt, provides you with this information arranged. For example, after only 1 AI prompt, I found that our government spends about 6x more on old-age benefits and that the total cost item for social assistance benefits is, therefore, more than 6x lower.

Unfortunately, the majority of the Dutch population is not interested in conducting a simple search themselves, and they are so radical and above all selfish that they only look at themselves. Think they are treated badly when realistically they are not so badly off. This phenomenon of uninformed opinions on topics such as social benefits, taxation, and government spending is, in my view, a disturbing illustration of how myopia, lack of knowledge, and radical thinking can take over.

The Challenge of Ignorance

I seriously can't believe how many people express strong opinions on these topics without a basic understanding of the underlying concepts. Take, for example, the many complaining, radical, or even hateful comments about social benefits. Some 99% of the people who respond are completely unaware that these benefits cover a wide range of people and situations, including old-age pensioners, but also the disabled. Confusing different types of expenses into one category shows a serious lack of empathy, but also a lack of knowledge, and a lack of insight. It also shows that no one is even interested in the nuances of public finances. Apparently, the Dutchman prefers to think only of himself.

The government, of course, gets its revenue from taxes. Where else will they get their income from? I am therefore dumbfounded when I see how some people criticize payroll tax, and blame the small group of people who have to make ends meet on welfare. And then also thinks that the wage tax can be reduced if all social assistance benefits are simply scrapped. Once again they forget that the social assistance benefits are in reality a small expense compared to the General Old Age Pensions Act benefits which are by far the largest cost item.

The Misunderstanding about Surcharges

Another subject that is often misunderstood is surcharges. The abolition of all allowances, as people who earn enough themselves not to be entitled to this claim are wanting, would have a significant impact, not only on those who depend directly on this support but also on working people who desperately need this financial assistance. have to make ends meet. Because there are more than enough of them too. The fact that this exists, works, and still qualifies for an allowance because otherwise, you don't have enough to live on only illustrates how complex the situation is and how superficial statements ignore the nuances. That people ignore this again illustrates the lack of insight, respect, and empathy, and the selfishness that lies beneath.

The Lack of Empathy and Respect

It seems that some people are so clingy to their beliefs that they forget to put themselves in the shoes of others. The lack of understanding of the difficulties that different people face shows a serious lack of empathy. Respect for each other's situations seems to be completely absent, resulting in selfish and short-sighted views.

The astonishing statements and opinions that I often see in the comments about government finances, among other things, but it goes much further. People also react that way to issues such as migration, asylum seekers, nitrogen problems, etc. And this short-sightedness, this lack of respect and empathy is an indication of a bigger problem. And this, in my humble opinion, is a much bigger problem: the lack of understanding and empathy in our society. We must take steps to disseminate information, promote education, and encourage open conversation. Only through a deeper understanding of complex subjects and a restoration of core values such as empathy and respect can we hope for a society with less selfishness and judgment without any knowledge of the facts.