Kandidaten voor het Europese parlement

We hebben de kandidaten voor het Europese parlement uitgenodigd om een stukje over hun kandidatuur te schrijven. Tot 19 februari kunnen de leden via de D66 website hun stem uitbrengen om de definitieve lijst en volgorde vast te stellen. We hebben al een aantal bijdragen ontvangen en we zullen die de komende dagen in volgorde van ontvangst publiceren. Hieronder is het stukje van Douwe Swierstra:

Dear far-away friends,
It is a pleasure to introduce myself to you as D66 candidate for the European Parliament and I am grateful for the opportunity offered to me do so along the digital highway.

I worked for ABN AMRO in the "eighties" in Atlanta (where our youngest son was born) and Pittsburgh; also turbulent economic times then when the Dollar versus the good old Guilder doubled in value in just a few years time, from about 1,90 to over 3,80 when I remember correctly. So apparently there is nothing much new under the sun.

Here in Holland we still have the following mix of emotions with Obama's inauguration; surprised, reliefed, amazed, impressed and - last but not least: - full of hope! His start has been a very energetic one (and consistent!). Therefore I have full confidence that the soured relationship between the US and Europe, caused by "W's ' ignorance, arrogance and stubborness, will rapidly develop into a co-operative one of mutual trust that will lay the foundation for a safer, cleaner, fairer and world with a sustainable prosperity for all of us and our children, which should enable us to recover from the current crisis faster than we expected only a few weeks ago.

I would greatly welcome your long distance support by providing me with your vote of confidence as I am very excited by the prospect to be able to play my own modest role in this inspiring process.

Of course you do not know me, but thank god for internet! May I kindly invite you to pay a brief visit to my website prior to casting your vote?: www.douweswierstra.nl

Many thanks, best personal regards and wishing you all the best in a "new" America!

Douwe W. Swierstra