Is government really supposed to get involved in that?
By Maria Ortiz PerezJune 10th, 2010
The anti-Islam Dutch Freedom Party (PVV)- who just got 24 seats in Parliament in a national vote - is proposing a new tax on heads scarves.
Never mind the absolute near -sightedness, racism and discriminatory logic behind the proposal. If you think about it in practical terms, how are they actually going to enforce this?
By issuing an identity card that says in one corner “Headscarf wearer”?
Or maybe a little box on your tax form for “Headscarf” and “No headscarf”?
What happens if you are wearing a scarf because it is raining and you just came out of the beauty salon? Will the police fine you, because you haven’t paid the headscarf tax?
I personally think government should be involved in matters of substance, and leave individuals exercise their individual freedom (by the way, that includes religion and attire). With all the economic challenges the EU is coming up against, one would think the Dutch would have something else to worry about…
Entry Filed under: News
2 Comments Add your own
1. Scott | June 11th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I think you make a great ppoint about the tendency of government to overreach into areas of everyday life that are best left alone. The problem is that most government intrusion is not so obviously wrong as racial motivated scarf taxes. The incremental procession of governments influence into every aspect of the individuals life is executed in almost unoticable steps and usually seems benign. If the founding fathers were aliv e to see the myriad agencies and authroities that impose taxes and regulations on Americans without congressional oversight, they would scarcely recognize the republic they designed.
2. Book Suggestion | June 14th, 2010 at 9:12 am
For an excellent primer on the political culture and context for Dutch views on Islam, see Ian Buruma’s Murder in Amsterdam.
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