Iraqi Refugees Find Sweden's Doors Closing

[kskiska]

Source: WP

Immigrants Overtax System, Critics Say

SODERTALJE, Sweden -- Behind the wheel of his old Ford Escort, Oshin Merzoian puttered happily along snowy streets. Back home in Baghdad, he said, he always drove at crazy speeds to avoid killers and kidnappers.

But here in "Little Baghdad," as this city that has accepted roughly as many Iraqi refugees as the entire United States is called, Merzoian is enjoying the luxuries of living in peace. He doesn't strap on a gun for protection, and he notes that Swedish police worry more about seat belts than roadside bombs.

(snip)

"People are saying: 'Stop it! It's too much,' " said Sodertalje Mayor Anders Lago, who is to testify before the U.S. Congress on Thursday. "We are a small town in a small country. We didn't start the war. It was the United States and Great Britain. They must now take the responsibility for the refugees."

(snip)

Iraqis leave behind a country that can barely provide electricity and water. Here they attend classes that explain such benefits as 18-month paternity leaves and a 24-hour hotline for children who want to register complaints.

"In this country, when you are 65 years old, you can sit at home and still get a salary," marveled Merzoian, sitting in the cozy kitchen of his new government-subsidized, two-story house.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/09/AR2008040904319.html?hpid=topnews

[ColbertWatcher]

1. Wow.

People used to want to come to America.

We used to do good things in the world.

We used to be the destination for people yearning to be free.

What the hell happened?

Oh yeah...

[provis99]

2. I wonder if they take American refugees?

Hell, I'm shit poor and oppressed; can I get into Sweden too?

[silverojo]

3. Amen to that!

It's one thing to give people political asylum, but a country treating immigrants better than its own citizens is disgustingly unfair.

[Blue_Tires]

4. i found it amusing that one town in sweden

has taken in more iraqis than the ENTIRE USA!...Even more ironic considering the fact that it was US who blew up their country (twice)

[ohio2007]

5. Sweden's welfare state 'alive and kicking' ?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3257610&mesg_id=3257610

[AlphaCentauri]

6. I just feel jealous of those free services the sweden have accomplish

[Blue_Tires]

7. ttt