Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-05-17-Speech-3-028"
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"en.20000517.2.3-028"2
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"Mr President, the present draft resolution by Mr Katiforis contains many valid points. We should, however, qualify one key point concerning a matter of principle. Both the Commission’s recommendation and the resolution claim high economically sustainable growth as the highest good and pursue this remorselessly. This is odd, given the global relations in which the rich West is seen as an exclusive residential neighbourhood. Do we want even more? Do we really need so much growth or can we combat unemployment by other means?
The lopsided emphasis on material goods is bound to have a detrimental effect on our society. It stimulates egocentricity, social exclusion, a blurring of moral standards and moral decay. The corruption of society eventually harms economic development.
On a positive note, attention is paid to the effects of an ageing population on the sustainability of government funds. Only since 1999 have both government expenditure and revenue fallen. A further consolidation, a reduction in the debt burden, is desperately needed in many Member States, so as to ensure that funds are available in future for health care and provision for old age. Taxes and social security contributions in the European Union are high compared to the United States, but the picture changes fundamentally when we consider the sometimes extortionate insurance premiums which American citizens have to pay.
The amendments which aim to shift the tax burden from labour to the use of scarce raw materials and minerals receive our support. After all, the Kyoto Agreement more than merits compliance."@en1
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