[MN] The Pains of Living Stockholm

[Odinson]

One could not argue that living in Sweden, or any Scandinavian country for that matter, was an expensive affair. Modern history has proven, however, that despite the high taxes that the Nordic peoples must pay, the government usually spends that money effectively on services such as healthcare, public transportation, and police. For what has felt like ages, though, the Swedish people have been paying even more than normal. The people of Stockholm, which was the most expensive city in the country, were feeling this more than anyone else in the country. A small housing crisis had already begun as citizens failed to renew their expensive rents that they could no longer afford and no one was purchasing properties that would be virtually impossible to pay the monthly notes on. The people of Stockholm, who were stretched for cash, could no longer afford to splurge on finer foods or drinks or entertainment as they once could. Soon, local businesses began to feel the stress as well. After months and months and months of tolerating these high taxes, the Swedish people - and especially those in the capital of Stockholm - began to openly question why they were paying so much with little-to-no increase in public services. Rumors were started that the government was planning on going to war soon, or that this was due to corruption, or even that money was being spent on making foreign long-term investments. The validity of these claims could not be confirmed. However, everything changed on January 29th.

One of Stockholm's largest newspaper published a first page story, "Government Hoarding Money - Taxes Strangling Stockholm". Despite the downfall of print journalism, that paper sold more copies than any single issue had that entire year. Local radio and news picked up the story and interviewed the journalist who wrote it. In his story, he pointed out that the most recent government records showed that Sweden had a surplus of $34.9-billion dollars. Swedes, like their other Nordic brothers, have an above-average amount of faith in their government, which is why the revelation that the government was hoarding so much money brought such surprise and then outrage. The story continued to spread, and concerned (and angry) Swedes decided to publicly express themselves. In less than a day, there was near-unanimous consensus among the Swedish people that what the government was doing was not only wrong, but also made no sense. With no public plans to use most of this money, and there being no national emergency, the common Swede simply saw this entire fiasco as the government hoarding an incredibly fortune for a rainy day, at the cost of the happiness and wealth of the people. The story went on to note that in the past months, it appears the number of suicides, petty-crime, and violent crime have all gone up. While the Swedish people retained their patriotism and support for the government, it was quite clear that the vast majority of the country was outraged with the current state of events.

On the last day of January, mass protests were organized around Sweden, but especially in the city of Stockholm where over 100,000 people took to the streets to, mostly, peacefully protest. Thousands of people from all ages, male and female, could be seen holding signs protesting the government and the high taxes. These protests culminated in downtown Stockholm, where Swedish legislators could hear the roaring chants of protestors. While the protests have so far been peaceful, the occasional report of fights or violence were starting to show that a mass movement such as this with no central authority wouldn't remain stable for much longer. Everyone from fast-food workers to corporate CEOs were looking to, and pressuring, the government to be more realistic in their economic policies.

@Connor

 

[Connor]

Convergence in Stockholm​

Taxes. A sensitive subject in every household and no-less Sweden in particular. The current central government, established in early 2013, has always been aware of the extreme tax situation and the Swedish Tax Agency (a subsidiary of the Department of Finance) makes no public apology for this fact. Political parties attempting to reach the Executive Office of the Prime Minister of Sweden have continuously tried to push for the bigger and bigger tax cuts as the grip on the global economy tightens, especially on a small previously insignificant state in the Baltic Sea. In the view of the public it appears that the current government, the Löfven Administration, is hoarding money and despite the best effort of the government to make spending public it is obviously time for change as the public become more and more irate at the extortionate tax rates. Examining the rate of expenditure to saving by the government is a difficult tax especially when considering the necessity for national security and covert purchases that would not be in the public interest to promote, especially with the potential for media eruption. Statistics show a total expenditure of $32,177,474,55.20 - almost matching the savings currently made by the government... whilst the relevant agencies sort through the figures to come up with appropriate 'public-appropriate' statistics.

The media outcry is of primary concern to the government and it's deemed necessary for the Swedish Tax Agency to release a short statement in relation to the situation:-

"For decades Sweden has been behind with international development, reputation and global positioning. Since the establishment of the Löfven Administration one of the key functions of this agency has been the raising of money, originally at the request of the country in order to assist with the essential primary development of our fantastic nation and putting the Swedish flag firmly on the map. Taxation has played a fundamental part in this process and there has been a wide variety of purchases and programs that've actively played a part in ensuring the safety and security within our borders. We are proud to show the steady development of the Swedish Coast Guard in conjunction with the Maritime Safety initiative, the significant advancement into foreign deployment capabilities with the Swedish Navy and Air Force and the ball is rolling with the Swedish Home Guard. These processes take time and we do not deny that Sweden has a significant amount of public money in holding for projects across the country both for national defence and within public services, infrastructure, health and housing amongst others.​

The Swedish Police are informed of the increased public presence in Stockholm and the necessity for an increased high-visibility presence purely for public security and to keep the peace. The protests are allowed to continue on the basis that it remains peaceful. The Swedish central government begins to arrange public 'vent-meetings' across the country in which communities can express their views to representatives state-wide and minimise the potential for protests to erupt.

 

[Odinson]

The statement released by the Swedish Tax Agency did nothing to quell the anger of the people. It was, however, printed in newspapers throughout the country and broadcast via radio and television news stations. By the next day, the size of the protests had doubled. What was originally contained to average citizens now included tens-of-thousands of government employees as well. Teachers, social workers, train conductors, engineers, and other professionals were out in full force dressed in their uniforms or suits. Most schools in Stockholm were either understaffed or forced to close until further notice. Public transportation was also impossible partly because the streets were packed, but also because most drivers were among the protests. The Swedes in the capital that did want to go to work found the journey impossible by car and nearly impossible by walking. Trash wasn't being picked up from homes and apartment complexes, and food deliveries weren't being made to grocery stores which were themselves understaffed. Stockholm was now at a standstill.

The government's efforts to assess the mood of the people would be quite clear: Swedish taxes needed to go down, a lot.

@Connor

 

[Odinson]

Silence from the government was met with only more unity from the people into their mostly peaceful cause. Major unions throughout Sweden, including dockworkers at major ports and others involved in manufacturing, transportation, and construction, declared a national strike. The government would be aware that food was running out of grocery store shelves because delivery drivers couldn't get into Stockholm, and other cities around the country weren't getting deliveries anymore because most of the country's food-transport drivers were now on strike as well. Universities in Stockholm and other major cities closed and thousands of university students, and their professors, joined into the protests. Hundreds of tons of food and produce would soon be rotting in warehouses around the country. The protests in Stockholm showed no sign of shrinking. In fact, political scientists were saying that the protest in Stockholm was perhaps the largest in Scandinavian history. It would be clear to the government that further inaction would mean that in the coming days there would be no fresh food available in Stockholm, and within a week, the rest of Sweden. Finally, celebrities and other major figures started to join the cause and call for the government to dramatically lower taxes.

@Connor

 

[Connor]

Stockholm, Sweden​

Despite the best efforts of the central government the people of Stockholm in particular continue to speak out against the tax rates across the land, a decision needs to be made and quickly before the protests become riots. A level of public disorder that Sweden cannot risk, especially with the risk to life and limb. The Swedish Tax Agency are held to account, being the relevant government agency responsible for the tax rates across Sweden, as such they are summoned to the Riksdag to explain the necessity for the current tax rates across Sweden and the predicted forecast of economic growth should the rate drop. Needless to say the STA's presence in the Riskdag was less than enthusiastic and spokespersons from various departments had the opportunity to throw their tuppence into the ring. Unconscious bias is a natural reaction to mass public disorder across Sweden and their statements within the Riskdag did little to win over the opinions of the people, especially those that represent the various constituencies around the country. The time has come, and it's come fast.

Under Secretary of Finance for Domestic Affairs Ardalan Shekarabi stands before a camera broadcasting internationally on television, internet stream and radio to announce the government decision:

"The protests in Stockholm has sent a single and clear message to our administration - the cost of living in Sweden has come to a peninsula. The Swedish Tax Agency has given us a wide range of statistics, forecasts and hypothesis regarding a change in the way families across our fantastic country pay tax. Our rates are amongst the highest in Europe and action needs to be taken to ensure Sweden remains the perfect home to many but also allows our economic growth. I stand before you all, today, to announce that the Löfven Administration can stand to account when enough is enough... at the end of this tax year we will be cutting standard-household tax by 25% - a significant slice from the former amount. Let this be a clear message. We listened and we acted. Thank you."​