After the Netherlands has officially apologized for its slavery past, the pressing question arises: what's next? Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf has taken the trip to Suriname, where the demand for financial compensation is growing louder. "We are going to see what we can do," the minister said in the AD. But let's face it, this comes as no surprise: it's not just excuses, the purse strings have to be pulled. And that was the goal from the beginning, they want to see money - lots of money. And who gets to cough it up? Right, us, the taxpayers. This again illustrates the naiveté and unworldliness of our elite. It was clear beforehand that Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles would insist on reparations.
It is ridiculous to think that Dutch taxpayers are responsible for what happened centuries ago. We were not there, we did not keep slaves, and yet now we are forced to pay the price for the mistakes of others. This is nothing more than a blatant form of debt induction, using the past as an excuse to undress us financially.
It is a fact that slavery was a horrible period in history, but it is not the responsibility of today's taxpayers to pay for it. Where is the responsibility of the countries that are now independent and have built their own economies? Should they not also bear some of the burden instead of simply holding up their hand and demanding that we pay?
This reparations requirement is a clear example of the elite's unworldliness. They live in a fantasy world where money is endlessly available and economic realities need not be taken into account. But taxpayers know better. We work hard for our money and every euro counts. We have to take care of our own families and our own future.
Instead of reparations, we should seek cooperation based on equality and mutual respect. Let's look at ways to promote economic growth and development in Suriname without placing the burden unilaterally on taxpayers. Let's invest in education, infrastructure and business opportunities that benefit the people of Suriname, rather than pouring into the bottomless pit of reparations.
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It is time to stop accepting these absurd demands and stand up for the interests of taxpayers. We must oppose this plundering of our wallets and demand that responsibility be shared fairly. It is time to face reality and stop feeding the greed of the elite.