Worldwide no 4, 2008
Proud to be a taxpayer
"Always look on the bright side of life," the lyrics immortalized by Monty Python in the "Life of Brian" film, comes in handy in times like these.
One bright side is that we can strike bad debt bankers from our list of scapegoats. After collecting their bonuses they are finally out of business – too bad they brought us so close to the abyss. Another upside is that today we are all bankers and industrial tycoons. Our tax money is buying more assets. Now we are investors in a collection of banks and financial institutions. And everyone wants a bailout package. It’s a pity, though, that most assets in our newly acquired taxpayer portfolio are worthless.
Now, we can begin looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m not sure which way to turn. Where is the economy heading? If I had the answer to that one, it would be printed on the dotted line …………
But no one – not Obama, not the Swedish or UK PMs, not Warren Buffett – knows. Even your couch-potato uncle with a Simpsons T-shirt is clueless.
The only thing I know is that a recovery requires confidence. If we all decide the sky is falling – it will hit us on the head. So, in my opinion, it’s best to follow the Monty Python philosophy and keep smiling in this crazy turn of events.
Oh, by the way, you can put your confidence in Skanska. During the company’s more than 120 years of history, there have been a few dips in the road, and yet we’ve survived. This issue contains some proof that Skanska will make it this time, too.
Enjoy!
Read Worldwide no 4, 2008
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