Reading the details of the "pre-sale" conditions made me think of "Galt's Gulch Chile" and the investments that were made before the approval of the "master plan" by the Chilean government, an approval which was not and still is not likely. The "developers of Liberstad don't yet own the property they are trying to sell. Simply stating they will refund the money invested of the property is sold to another party does not guarantee the refunds will be made.
I was thinking of the same thing... of course, it's Norway, not Chile... making me wonder if it's Real Real, or really a "Del Real"... Knowing Norway and Norwegians... seems like a Del Real croissant of a deal - Light, Flaky, and slightly Crusty.
Who is this "John Holmesland" guy, anyway? Sure sounds like a pseudonym to this skeptical person... while it may sound Norwegian, it has me wondering... Homeland? John (Galt) Homeland? Why not Max Headroom? Thor Uppa DeKontrakt? All we need now is the attorney to be Howe, Dewey, Cheatham, and Wynne.
Telling is how cheap it is to buy in early compared to "later". My other question is a simple one - how does the Norwegian Government view this? I keep thinking - in a country that is one of the tightest regulated socialist countries on the planet, exactly -how- does this play out? Add to this - evading taxes by not using the currency of the country in which you live?
Norway is a capitalist country that uses that economic form to support social programs. That's why it works along with most of the other commonly referred to socialist countries. They aren't.
Just because a country is capitalist does not mean it's not socialist... Even the young right wingers I know from said country say it's socialist. There is a marked and huge difference between socialist and communist (which most Americans don't seem to understand)... Germany is Socialist and an industrial powerhouse. Italy (where I used to live) is Socialist AND Capitalist - as long as you're native Italian the system works so-so, but better than others. One of the reason s I do not live there presently is it is economically disadvantageous for me to own my own business there. Were I an Italian Citizen that would be different... but I am not.
OF course there is the sticky wicket of Taxation as well - the taxation to promote said socialist programs. Somehow paying 83+% of a potential businesses income as a tax and guaranteeing my Italian employees receive a "Fair wage", a "proper and sane" 30 hour workweek, while as the business owner... Sorry, Capitalist, you can survive on your own, as long as you support the State and our citizens...
This has nothing to do with Ayn Rand and her philosophy. It's another doomed anarchist utopia filled with contradictions -- from its "philosophy" to the central government power it seeks to be separate from while living under it.
I am, as I type this, in Punta Arenas, Chile. I love Chile. Simon Black speaks well of Chile. BUT, I do not see the government here (especially under the current socialist president who has a year an a half remaining) to allow anything close a freedom area.
Assuming it's legitimate, it will not be perfect, but I'm excited for them to try. If they're subject to 50% of the laws of the nation states, that's something. Depending on the details, it could be something huge.
Neverminding everything that has already been said here about this not passing the smell test, I have more of a conceptual question that would apply to any such gulch... How do you handle security with absolutely no government? Some form of council will be necessary to coordinate security, which will be needed because you will have a place where there are things of value, and raiders will eventually come to take the valuable things. This is how towns were invented in the first place, a few farmers building close together to provide mutual defense... I propose the elimination of elections in the process of governimg a gulch. Council members will rotate by random lot similar to jury duty for your term. You get a notice in the mail, go to the place, and draw lots to see who fills which position next year. Any rule they pass can't take effect in their term so they can't stack the deck, and anyone who proposes or vote in favor of an emergency measure will be immediately fired, which should limit that to cases of true emergency, cause they were willing to get fired to get it passed, which will eliminate empire building. Thoughts?
There is no mention of "gun rights" in Norway, but there is a great deal of wishful thinking about how " security in a private city is far better then in a political city."
As fast as I saw that small brown shack, I immediately noticed the lack of a visible outhouse. Just sayin'.. Little dino saw such brown shacks during the 50s down here in Bamaland.
(http://www.liberstad.com/properties.h...)
I didn't see any information on the website regarding requirements for immigration to Norway.
According to this article, it is not an easy task, especially if you are not from the EU:
http://www.newsinenglish.no/2015/03/3...
Even if Liberstad is eventually established as a "private city" it's residents will still be subject to all of the laws of the country.
Who is this "John Holmesland" guy, anyway? Sure sounds like a pseudonym to this skeptical person... while it may sound Norwegian, it has me wondering... Homeland? John (Galt) Homeland? Why not Max Headroom? Thor Uppa DeKontrakt? All we need now is the attorney to be Howe, Dewey, Cheatham, and Wynne.
Telling is how cheap it is to buy in early compared to "later". My other question is a simple one - how does the Norwegian Government view this? I keep thinking - in a country that is one of the tightest regulated socialist countries on the planet, exactly -how- does this play out? Add to this - evading taxes by not using the currency of the country in which you live?
Sorry... I think I'll pass.
OF course there is the sticky wicket of Taxation as well - the taxation to promote said socialist programs. Somehow paying 83+% of a potential businesses income as a tax and guaranteeing my Italian employees receive a "Fair wage", a "proper and sane" 30 hour workweek, while as the business owner... Sorry, Capitalist, you can survive on your own, as long as you support the State and our citizens...
Who am I to know? Who is John Galt?
same irrational view of man's nature.
I was referring to Germany, Switzerland, Scandanavia, NZ etc. Capitalist first with social programs
No, I don't know who the founders are either. Yes, the whole website could be a total hoax.
Is it an intriguing idea? Have you read AS?
Burn the books. Rely only on prime time news for your information. (and, I have a bridge for sale...)
I guess you need to be Norwegian.
it is claimed that one breached the contract?
I propose the elimination of elections in the process of governimg a gulch. Council members will rotate by random lot similar to jury duty for your term. You get a notice in the mail, go to the place, and draw lots to see who fills which position next year. Any rule they pass can't take effect in their term so they can't stack the deck, and anyone who proposes or vote in favor of an emergency measure will be immediately fired, which should limit that to cases of true emergency, cause they were willing to get fired to get it passed, which will eliminate empire building.
Thoughts?
http://www.liberstad.com/blog
There is no mention of "gun rights" in Norway, but there is a great deal of wishful thinking about how " security in a private city is far better then in a political city."
Little dino saw such brown shacks during the 50s down here in Bamaland.