| Perez: For some odd reason, this writer was imposed upon to introduce
my friend, and our new member Paul Stychno. Along with his fellow GSE Team Member, Monica
Cinquini, of the Santa Rosa Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
Business Insurance Executive Paul, led the presentation. In his typically low-key
style, Paul outlined the GSE trip he recently participated in to chilly Finland. The land
of "No Bad Vodka", as he puts it..
He related that this was a socialist country. Minimum income tax rates of 50% and UP.
25-50% unemployment goes with the program, unfortunately. With nearly 100% literacy and a
cradle-to-grave support system for its citizens. A mandatory conscription of one year for
all males and participation in a reserve military FOR LIFE. This is driven by an ongoing
paranoia of their close (geographically speaking) friends, the Russians. Those same
technologically advanced folks who brought us all Chernobyl, and therefore, green carrots.
And those Fins remember these things, Paul Sez.
Another high point of the trip for Paul was experiencing the fellowship of Rotary
Moments in one of the infinite number of saunas, one of which seems to be in every
building. Including the one located adjacent to a particularly chilly body of seawater
into which the Rotary hosts ritually jumped in. Right after heating themselves up in the
previously mentioned saunas. Over and Over they went into the drink. Pun intended. When in
Rome, Etc. etc. Your Editor thinks the "No Bad Vodka" attitude must have helped.
One can only imagine that if you were going to attend the FIFTY Rotary meetings and
functions in a few short weeks that these intrepid ambassadors attended, a
"fluid" diet would contribute to stable mental health. Including the District
Wide meeting on a cruise ship between Sweden and Finland. Apparently, the Finns feel the
same way. Their VERY beef and potato, with a warm-up of pickled herring, organically
oriented diet always includes a substantial quantity of alcoholic beverage consumption.
Paul reports that, unfortunately, this is accompanied by high rates of alcoholism in the
general population. Excluding Rotarians, of course.
A Woman's Perspective Of Life in Finland
Monica noted that women had a very subordinate role in the society. It was generally
very hard to draw them into a conversation, when surrounded by men. Rotary Women were
extremely rare. The men were open to the concept, but participation in the organization
was minimal. Monica noted only four women in Rotary!
Women who have children are provided with 50-60% of their wages as a state provided
benefit for a one-year initial period of absence from their jobs after the birth of their
children. Subsequently, additional financial benefits are provided on an ongoing basis.
The general demeanor of the populace was quite reserved and stoic. At a major hockey
game they attended, the usual Red Wing's level of whooping and hollering fans was
distinctly absent. Very friendly, but reserved.
The youth of Finland dress colorfully to counteract the gray visage of most of the city
environs. An attempt is made to brighten up the skyline by brightly painting more
buildings. In a country where the days run from 22 hours of sun to only a few short hours
of sun per day, depending upon the season, Spring is a very big deal, And happens
IMMEDIATELY, in a only a day or two of transition from winter, as they experienced.
The pubs were the points of social gathering, with a high percentage of the general
population smoking cigarettes, with all of its attendant health problems.
Monica and Paul had the pleasure of staying in a castle, owned by a family of royal
heritage. Unfortunately, the taxes were so high, the family was beginning to let rooms at
their Estate. Life in Socialism.
On the other hand, there were extremely few homeless people, perhaps less that 1,000 in
the entire country. Maybe the government put them up in the Castle at group rates?
The finale included an opportunity to sit in Santa's lap. Your Editor would guess that
this made Santa very happy. |
Anderson: Joe Perez was first chided for
spending two weeks in New Zealand, returning without a Rotary Flag. He then
introduced our own Red Badger Paul Stychno (below) who has led a Group
Study Exchange though Finland.
Paul Stychno
Paul shared the podium with Monica Cinquini, one of the participants
in the trip. Finland is a completely socialist country with cradle-to-grave social
programs to fill all needs. Large corporations, using high tech methods, control the
economy. Income taxes start at 50% and go up to 100%. The people are nice,
friendly and homogeneous. Days are short in Winter, very long in Summer. Vodka
is the national drink. The Fins whose country was occupied by Russia until 1920
still fear the Russians and maintain a strong, modern military force. They also fear
the many decaying nuclear reactors upwind in the former Soviet States. Chernobyl is
felt to have just been the tip of the iceberg with more and worse tragedies still to
occur. bomb shelters are found everywhere in Finland. |
