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Better than usLUXEMBOURG MAY NOT excel at team sports or boast many international stars but its small population of about half a million just performs well at life.
Politically stable, economically sound and socially adept, the state trumps most others in terms of GDP, literacy and employment rates.
And now, it has the International Rose of Tralee as well. Good for them. But what have they given the world in return?
Unfortunately for the small, landlocked country, having its stuff worked out and together has kept it out of the spotlight. To illustrate the point, by this morning, Google searches for the grand duchy were already taken over by curiosity about young Nicola McEvoy.
But that’s not entirely fair. Luxembourg has given us some stuff, including:
Virginia Mayo/AP/Press Association Images
Here, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, who has become the face of the euro crisis, throttles Spain’s Economy Minister Luis de Guindos.
Pictured with their mother after a race. Aw, good lads they are and all. Image: Christophe Ena/AP/Press Association Images
Two of the biggest names in cycling, Andy and Frank Schleck were born and raised in Luxembourg City. The best fact about Frank – he is known for riding knock-kneed.
Image: CIA Website.
Luxembourg lost its neutrality during World War II but kept its peacemaking reputation as it became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945.
Image: This is a general view of the first session of the United Nations Organization’s General Assembly at Central Hall on Parliament Square in London, England, on January 10, 1946. (AP/Press Association Images)
Luxembourgers? Luxembourgians? Bourgers? Lëtzebuergers? Luxembourgeois?
But not on purpose. It was really the Brits’ fault.
English-language service Radio Luxembourg started in 1933 and was considered one of England’s first ‘pirate radio stations’ because listening to unauthorised broadcasts was an offence, according to UK laws. However, it was also pretty popular in Ireland in the ’30s, ’50s and ’60s.
The ‘Much Binding in the Marsh’ radio comic team. (Image: PA/PA Archive/Press Association Images)
Luxembourg’s most famous output is still probably its television and radio stations. It even gave Irish teens of the 1990s Atlantic 252. After teaming up with RTÉ, the Radio Luxembourg’s parent company RTL created the MTV of the medium waves.
But these ones don’t get naked. Can’t win ‘em all.
The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg arrive at a lunch for Sovereign Monarch’s held in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, at Windsor Castle.
The Duchess of Cornwall greets Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg as she arrives for a dinner at Buckingham Palace, London, for foreign sovereigns to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee.
Luxembourg just has its shit together. Let’s compare, shall we?
Luxembourg, according to the CIA:
Even during the financial crisis and recovery, Luxembourg retained the highest current account surplus as a share of GDP in the euro zone, owing largely to their strength in financial services. Public debt remains among the lowest of the region although it has more than doubled since 2007 as percentage of GDP.
And Ireland, according to the CIA:
Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. In addition to across-the-board cuts in spending, the 2009 budget included wage reductions for all public servants. These measures were not sufficient. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP – the world’s largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP – because of additional government support for the banking sector.
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Good to see the US adopting this type of system, the lottery was a bit of a joke in fairness, just so random and seemed like a lazy/handy way of doing things for them. Seems really tough to immigrate into the US nowadays.
That’s true, I was fortunate enough to win a green card through the lottery system…but it was completely random, you could be a computer scientist from Bogota or a sheep herder from Armenia, it made no sense really. This seems like a much better system.
Even when you got your random green card in the lottery you still had to attend the Embassy for an interview so possibly a lot of weeding out was done then?
That’s true, but all you required was a job offer in official headed paper from a company and that was it…easy to make one up if you had to!
Not necessary if you have degree or/and masters in an employable profession. Subtle weeding out.
At the time I didn’t have a degree and went with my letter of an offer of employment which was acceptable. If I was bullshitting I would have got away with it, how I know was because it was my friends company and there was no check.
I am guessing that may have a while go? Perhaps they check more throughly now?
It was 2001. Maybe they do. Border Control has stiffened considerably since 2005…so maybe you’re right. I moved home in 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, if you don’t mind me asking. Just wondering why you decided to move back home. Don’t answer if you dont want I know it’s a personal question.
Ha! Youre close enough Sean!!!
I find I’m asking myself that question a lot lately McBab….I spent a few years there and decided to move back, family I suppose had a bit to do with it. I had a great time there, really lived it. If you are willing to work in the States, you will get on fine. The working man is rewarded. If you want to sit on your hole, you don’t eat, simple as. A policy they could do with having a look at here. To be honest, I would move back in the morn, but my wife would not… Added to a mortgage, young kids etc here its just not an option unfortunately….
Thanks for the reply Jimmy. So refreshing to have a civilised conversation on this site!
No worries McBab
Seems the age category doesn’t make sense It is a kind of discrimination
I agree. Not sure why this ism is ok and gender and race isms are deemed unacceptable.
Err.. Because they prefer to let in young people? I’d get no points for age myself but get it and have no problem with it.
Would it be ok to let in just white people? Or just men?
It makes perfect sense for them too give preference to younger people. Younger people will be in the work force for longer, thus generating taxes and revenue for the government longer.
It’s logical to limit immigration to those who can be more productive and and bring value to the country, rather than become a burden. It is a transaction, not a gift: we let you in, you came and work hard and (possibly, at least initially) cheap, we all benefit in the end.
Above all though, it is their country, their rules. They don’t have to adhere to our political correctness, as much as we might feel righteous about our opinion on it.
It’s called independence.
It’s really sad to see some of us calling African Shit holes …….. Some of us are here legally just for studies and we are benefiting this country by paying huge school fees
Am alway heartbroken when people think that all Africans are Asylum seekers or refugees :-( and i remember when i first arrived in Ireland and stayed for 3 months someone whom i don’t know sent me a text saying “You are fraudulent Asylum Seeker Scamming our country …. Go back to Africa”
it’s really sad.
Unfortuntely ISSA a lot of africans are absolutely bleeding this country for what its worth. Its a national disgrace and no one has the balls to to stand up to it for fear of being targeted as being racist/bigot etc. I dont believe anyone has a problem with genuine students and workers.
I do agree with you Jason …… That some of Africans have damaged our image thurs making everyone think that all African are here to Abuse the system.
Personally am ashamed to be black coz av experienced hard times since i came here for my studies with other people brandishing me names lol.
Not all africans are out to scam this country or take it for a ride. I have the pleasure of knowing some who are really successful here.
But as Jason pointed out there is alot more scamming than actually been good citizens.
Until that trend reverses the African people who are not out to scam etc are going to be labeled with the same tag.
I do get your point …… But am just puzzled on how those people manage to come in Ireland and abuse the system lol.
I remember when i was applying for my Irish student Visa back home in Kenya i really passed through various difficulty process to get my Visa and i had to produce loads and loads of documents and went through serious vetting and on top of that i was required to do an International English proficiency test to prove that i can speak English lol
Does it mean that some countries get their visas so easily???? coz some are here and ain’t speaking English and there are the one tarnishing our name here
Issa . Quite a few africans come in as refugees depending on the country in Africa.
Lock up the illegals.
+1
Nope, just send em home
about time!
Well this is good news for the irish a nation of hard working people when we go to other country’s we dont go their to sponge of that said country we work hard integrate into their society’s spend our money their while still retaining out culture and having the “craic”
Will this cover the ones this October?
have your say