GUEST BLOGGER TODAY - 'Going Dutch'

Very exciting stuff today ladies!  A post from my very first guest blogger.   My Dutch friend agreed to this in light of recent developments in his home country, Holland. I did my best to guide him, however, 'upfront apologies for soccer references, absence of witty word play and total lack of luxury brand name dropping.'   I think he's being unfairly critical or fishing for compliments because it's really well-written.  I'll let you be the judge.  Editor's comments in BOLD.  

There have been times when being Dutch and living abroad was easy. Being Dutch mostly meant being associated with a handful of decent Dutch soccer players, a liberal drug policy and a general sense of tolerance (or dimness brought on by said drug policy).   

Recently, the Dutch international image has taken some hits. In 2010, a shockingly violent team of Dutch soccer gladiators did a demolition job on the Spanish team during the World Cup Final (and painfully, still lost). Last year, a far-right party known for harsh views on immigrants and Islam became one of the largest political parties, not exactly in line with the perception of Holland as a tolerant and open society. On top of everything else, foreign tourists will soon have turn elsewhere to go day-tripping, as so-called Dutch coffee-shops will only serve “coffee” to locals.

This weekend things got a little worse. The Dutch became the Euro-crisis’ next, and first Northern European, victim (earlier casualties were mostly Southern European: Greece, Italy, Spain). Same problem, different country: the Dutch government spent more than it should have on the usual (welfare, social security, etc.) and the unusual (animal cops – no joke). The result is a government deficit (spend > income: this concept may sound familiar to the target audience of this blog…) that is bigger than what is allowed under the European Union rules. Talks to cut back spending collapsed and so this weekend the Dutch government collapsed as well.

The Dutch problems are probably fixable in the long term, but in the short run, expect more uncertainty as political fighting to tighten the purses continues: finally, a legitimate excuse for the Dutch to go Dutch.   Disagree here as we know this is pretty inexcusable in early-stage dating.  Thankfully, I don't think my guest blogger himself would ever go Dutch.  But don't take my word for it.  Find out for yourself tonight at Heirloom's Tacos n Tequila Tuesdays.  We can introduce you :)