Janusz Korwin Mikke – taxes

I would like to make presentation about some topics, but described subjectively, because from point of view of Janusz Korwin Mikke. I do not want to tell you if I am for or against them and which i like or not, important is what do you think about this ideas. At the very beginning i would like to put here a few facts about Mr. Janusz. He is a father of 6 children, his education  is mainly Math and Philosophy. He is publicist of many many articles and  author of few books, politics from 1962 always on the right side of this scene with conservative views. His hobbies are mainly chees and bridge. First of all i would like to tell you what Mr Mikke thinks about taxes. Very good introduction to this will be this movie. It is very simple but shows how many taxes we are paying, and how much money we receive for work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWzdgHYPiIw

Mr Korwin thinks that our country is thief. He thinks that today working people are punished for this that they are working. His idea is to take money from them only for few basic common benefits: army, police ,and necessary government. So he wants decrease taxes. It means that in our pockets there will be more money. It is bright side of his ideas. Something what can worry is that we, citizens will have to pay from our pocket for healthcare and also gather money for our pension. But his calculations shows, that all money which we will gather not paying taxes will be enough to pay for healthcare and to have better pension. Of course it means that everyone will have to mange his money carefully, because if he will spend money from taxes for pleasures, not carrying about future, he will be poor in his old age. Here are few more films about money and Mr Janusz ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT544rR9umc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUkVrH_LhYI&feature=relmfu

Qestions:

Would you like to manage your own money or you would like that government manage them as it is doing today?

Do you think that many people will become poorer then they are now after many years of work if they will manage their money on their own?

Do you think that quality of services we receive for paying taxes is good?

Have you got any idea how taxes should look like, or should they be completely abolished?

Janusz Korwin Mikke – European Union

In 2004 Poland joined with 10 other countries to the European union. In 2003 74% of Polish society which voted (58% of authorized to voting) told  YES for joining. All of them thought that it is a must, that outside European union we will have no chance to develope and participate in Europe politics. But Janusz Korwinn Mikke had different point of view. Here is what he thinks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wav8VSRtpZQ&feature=relmfu

What he says is that Polish country since 2009 lose his sovereignty, that our country will be depends on government of European Union. He also defines EU as country, and describes how EU power can determine law in Poland. He sees great danger in it, and prognoses the incoming recession. He describes EU as bureaucratic institution which from central is creation overall law, which does not suit in every country. Moreover this law is hindering entrepreneurs what is slowing down development of country. As example he gives Germany which in some moments had minus PKB and he sais that it is because participation in EU.Mr. Korwin says that this bureaucratic machine as our government is bandit, which is stealing and wasting money. His flagship argument is spending many millions of euro for fight with global warming which in his opinion is not proved. And even if it will be we have no reasons to worry, because a few degrees more will only be better for agriculture.  This material from 14^th - 19^th minute is about Janusz Korwin Mikke point of view  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0MNykIN_38&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyMDOoHq_Vg

Do you think that in some someone in Bruxele will decide about every law in our country?

Do you think that outside EU Poland would be in worst situation and why?

Do you think that Poland lost lot of its sovereignty?

Janusz Korwinn Mikke – women

After many years of discriminations women in 1869r received right to vote. From this time many things have changed. Women can work on the same position as man,. Women  can not only vote but also be elected as prime minister or president. The duties which were domain of women now are also duties of a man. It seems that in most countries there is equality. There are protest of women that steel they have got to little to say in government, that they are earning less that man at the same position and that steel they are discriminated. What is Mr. Janusz Korwin Mikke point of view?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogO3af9F_cg

He is for clear division who is a man and who is a woman and what are man and women duties. In His opinion men are more intelligent, for example because most of significant inventions in world history authors were men. But he do not want to treat is as discrimination because he thinks that women is brilliant in other things, like home keeping, carrying about children. He also admires women beauty. He tells that nowadays woman have got worst life because they have to work as hard as man, that in past at home they had less duties. J.K.M says also that women are fighting for power, but at the and they want a man to be a ruler. As example he gives example of women who started in president election and that she as the only one women, and she was not chosen. So it means that women do not want her to rule them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3txUSM1ack&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L4WNcPdy2E&feature=relmfu

Do you think that there should be equality on every level between man and women?

Do you agree with that that women are dubmer than man, and if yeas, what does it mean?

Do you think that women are discriminated at work? 

Buy now (3)

Consumers are weaker than sellers and that’s a well known fact. If you should have any problems with products bought in Poland and sellers deny to look into your case there are several state and non-state insitutions that you can turn to for help and advice.

Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów (UOKiK)

UOKiK was founded over 20 years ago. One of its tasks is to check whether sellers follow the law. On their website in the consumer area you can find frequently asked questions and other useful informations. For more information please visit http://www.uokik.gov.pl or call 800 007 007 (trully a James Bond numer isn’t it?).

Rzecznik Konsumentów (RK)

While UOKiK is tackling abusive laws RK is handling individual cases. In Poland there are over 360 people that occupy this job. Few things you should know about their work:

1. They work together with UOKiK.

2. They’ll help you posting complains.

3. They will represent you in court.

4. They won’t charge you for their work.

If you don’t trust the Government you can always go to private institutions (co-financed by the Government) such as Polish Consumer Federation (Federacja Konsumentów - http://www.federacja-konsumentow.org.pl/) or Association of Polish Consumers (Stowarzyszenie Konsumentów Polskich – http://www.skp.pl). Their legal suport is free. In addition they organise information campaigns.

I highly encourage you to watch these two videos:

While I never had to go to institutions mentioned above it is good to know about them and know about your consumer rights. Sellers often try to avoid taking responsibility for faulty things and bend the law to their will but us consumers have the power to change it by showing knowledge about our rights (and sometimes by threats of going to court).

Questions:

1. Do you think that consumers are well protected in Poland, do you have any knowledge about consumer proctection in other countries?

2. Did you learn something new from my presentation? :)

Finally I would like to thank you guys for participation the the blog, this is my fourth and last semester here. Wish me good luck with defending my masters project! Have a nice summer! *salutes*

Buy now (2)

It happened - you bought something. You feel that your life is complete with this new pair of trousers/mp3 player/whatever. But what if the product does not meet your needs or is faulty? This is where consumer awareness comes into the picture.

When you change your mind and want to give back the product you bought the seller may not allow you to do so. You can find signs „No refunds”. That’s perfectly legal, refunds for products without faults are optional and depend on the seller’s good will. However signs „No refunds and complaints” („Zwrotów i reklamacji nie przyjmujemy”) are forbidden and against the law. You can and should post a complaint if your item is faulty. If you see a sign like this you might as well notify the police.

Important fact: when shopping in an internet store or via a traveling salesman then the deal is set outside of the place of the company. In this case you can break the deal within 10 days and get a full refund (minus shipping costs). Therefore internet shops give you a chance to get a refund for a product that does not meet your needs, even if it’s not faulty. Think of TV's with bad pixels etc.

Now let’s assume you bought a cellular phone in a local electronics store. After some time you notice that it has a fault which is not made by you. In this case you can choose between two actions.

First is a warranty repair within the warranty period (if there is one). It’s a free service, although the repair time is not regulated by any law apart from „in adequate time”.

Second action, giving you much more rights is nonconformity of goods with the contract (niezgodność towaru z umową). It’s applicable when the product is faulty or does not have the properties said it should have. In this case a consumer can opt for a repair, exchange for a new item with no faults, discount or a refund. The latter two are possible only in case the repair or exchange is not possible. Seller should notify you within two weeks about his decision. In case this doesn't happen it means that he agreed with your complaint.

Important fact: always take and store in a safe place the proof of purchase. If your product turns out to be faulty this proof is the first thing the seller will ask for. The warranty card may not be filled out but the proof of purchase is a must have – it proves you bought the item in this particular store on a specific date.

Complains on food products can be made within 3 days from the date of opening.

Of course these are not your only rights, in the next part I will talk about organisations founded to help consumers.

Questions:

1. Did you know about the nonconformity of goods right?

2. Have you ever used your consumer rights, was the product vaulable?

Buy now (1)

On the market you can take on different roles but there is one role we all play – we are all consumers.

This weeks presentation will be about consumers with a special focus on their rights in Poland. The aim is to familiarize you with your rights during the process and after a transaction so that when something goes wrong you won’t get duped.

Let’s start with the basics. What do consumers do? In a nutshell – driven by their individual needs - they buy.

Based on research several consumer types have been distinguished. Based on a book „Segmentacja rynku i typologia konsumentów” written by A. Kusińska, types and subtypes are as follows:

Older people

o Type 1: can’t afford too much, they shop by themselves and are active and working. Their education is low, earned money is likely to be spent on medical services and holidays. Usually have loans. Typical age up to 69 years.

o Type 2: same as type 1 but their health disallows them to shop by themselves. They depend on family and/or neighbours. Their average age is above 80 years.

o Type 3: similar to type 1 but they don’t have a job and are not willing to have one. Usually they are live in small towns or villages.

o Type 4: highly educated, working and active. They like to shop in big centres, don’t have any loans or obligations. Typically they are a live together marriage.

Middle class

o Type 1: not very educated and earning below average. Thier main priorities are happiness, family, good health and children's education. They spend their holidays at home, camping or visit family members.

o Type 2: have high private and business life expectations. Invest in themselves and their family. They earn a lot and for holidays they choose organised trips.

o Type 3: established their own company, like to take a risk. Important for them is: family and career. Thanks to their high earnings they can afford more expensive products. Holiday preferences are similar to type 2.

o Type 4: material things have little meaning to them, they expect functionality. They value independence. Holiday preferences are not established.

Young ones

o Type 1: people of success, they like to test out new things especially luxury ones. In their free time they read books, listen to music or go for a walk. Education is important to them.

o Type 2: have limited funds but value good quality. They are loyal to known brands and are reluctant to novelties. Free time is good for a bike ride or hang out with their friends.

o Type 3: discount hunters, they don’t like to test out new things. They spend free time on watching tv.

o Type 4: price and quality is equally important to them. Before buying they think a lot and ask friends for opinions.

Questions:

1. What type are you? Or maybe you’re special?

2. Do you think you know your rights as a consumer?

Adrenaline - Part 3

„An extreme sport (also called action sport and adventure sport) is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger, and that are counter-cultural."(source: wikipedia.org)



This definition is not exact though as some of the sports (for example road cycling) which are said to be highly risky and result in numerous injuries are not considered extreme. We can safely say that extreme sports are non-traditional sports that require people to combine athletic skill with pronounced risk.

Extreme sports might have gained popularity thanks to the increased safety of modern life. Some people may lack a feeling of danger in their everyday lives and so seek out dangerous and stressful situations doing extreme sports. Another reason is that sports technology improved over the years provides a better equipment that reduces risk and pain. Of course, let’s not forget that extreme sports are very appealing to the media. And by saying appealing I mean it’s a huge business. Much of the hype about extreme sports comes not from the participants, but from the industry that surrounds it. Extreme sport goods - including TV shows, graffiti art, energy drinks, and clothing - are a bigger business than sports themselves. The Extreme Sports Channel has an estimated audience of 20 million across Europe, most of whom wouldn't go anywhere near a half-pipe.



Even the most extreme of extreme sport pales into comparison with early climbers and explorers, for whom the risks were great and the outcomes unknown. The advert for Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914-17 Trans-Antarctic expedition read: “Men wanted: For hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” (source pbs.org)



The history of extreme sports is still evolving. Some extreme sports combine the techniques and physical skills of two or more sports, often mainstream sports that were once considered extreme. As more people become aware of extreme sports, the activities gain more enthusiasts. Those who pride themselves in participating in cutting-edge activities are constantly searching for new ways to test themselves. This ensures the creativity required for the development of newer extreme sports. There is no doubt that as new techniques are tried and experimented with, the history of extreme sports will include many new and daring innovations.



Discussion topics:

1. Do you find extreme sports appealing?
   
2. What is the most extreme variation of sports that you’ve ever heard about or seen?
3. Given a chance would you like to try base jumping from the top of a skyscraper?

How to spend summer in Warsaw - Part 3

Hello again.
I already told you about spending time outdoors, today I would like to concentrate on spending time indoor. I would like to tell you about few museums which I enjoy most.

1. Muzeum Kolejnictwa
Since I remember, I was visiting "Muzeum Kolejnictwa" every year. I always like watching old trains.
What you can find there: Firstly you will enter indoor part of museum. There are many photos, items related to railways and of course little train models. When you will finish inside tour you will go outside, for the greatest part of museum. Outside you can find many old locomotives. They are so amazing. And despite of the sign at the start of outside tour, you can get inside almost everyone of them. If you are interested you can find more info here: http://www.muzeumkolejnictwa.waw.pl

O this site you can also find info about trip in retro train. I was few times on it. Also great time to spend a whole day.

2. Muzeum techniki
The next one I would like to tell you is "Muzeum Techniki". I also always enjoy visiting it. First of all you need to know that they don't have any new inventions. All exhibits are old, but you can see what technology was in past. You can remember yours childhood when you will see washing machine "frania". You can also see many old computers. A calculater with size of a room.
There are many great exhibits there. All of you will find somethink interesting there.
If you like to visit it, here you have more info: http://www.muzeum-techniki.waw.pl

























3. Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego
Another worth visiting museum is "Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego".
It is a pretty new museum. It is very modern. When I visited it, it make a very good impression on me. It wasn't anythink I was expecting. This is number one museum to visit. Not only becouse of being so modern but also it saying many about very important historical event. I recommend for anyone to visit it. More info here: http://www.1944.pl/

4. Centrum nauki Kopernik
Last place I would like to talk about is "Centrum nauki Kopernik". I never been there so I cannot tell you much about it, but probably anyone have heard of it. From what I heard it is very modern, with many interactive exhibitions. The only problem is to get inside. I was trying 3 times to visit it, but the queues was so long that I give up. If you are not sure about it, just go on this website and see what they have in offer. http://www.kopernik.org.pl/

Few questions for you:
Have you ever been in museums metioned before? What was yours opinion?
Could you recommend any other museum in Warsaw?
If you have ever been in "Centrum Kopernika", can you share your thoughts with us?

Adrenaline - Part 2

Adrenaline affects everybody in a similar way. As I have described it in my recent presentation - your heart beats faster, blood pressure rises, you become more alert, and your body enters “fight or flight” mode. While the physiological experience is the same, how it is interpreted by different people varies tremendously. Some of us interpret the “adrenaline rush” as an enjoyable and positive effect. Others find it repelling.



“Adrenaline junkie is a term used to describe somebody who appears to be addicted to epinephrine and such a person is sometimes described as getting a ‘high’ from life. The term ‘Adrenaline Junkie’ was popularly used in the 1991 movie Point Break in reference to people who favor dangerous activities for the adrenaline rush that accompanies them.” (source: wikipedia.org)



Although adrenaline junkie is a term that describes someone who is addicted to thrilling and fear-inducing situations, you don’t have to be a sky diver, F1 driver or a marine to be hooked on the rush that comes from a little stress. In fact, adrenaline junkies come in much more subtle forms. Everyday adrenaline junkie is much more common than the indestructible stuntman film character types. They tend to cause crisis situations in their lives, either consciously or unconsciously to get the rush from the excitement. These are the people who work best under pressuring and stressful circumstances. An example of the everyday adrenaline junkie could be a student or a worker who waits until the last minute to begin a project and then has to really struggle to get it done on time.

Of course not every hard working person is an adrenaline junkie. Some people seem to experience crisis after crisis and always over schedule themselves.

Everyday adrenaline junkies or stressed workers?




Some research has shown that babies who are deprived of oxygen at birth sometimes grow up to develop a higher need for stimulation. They tend to become risk takers much more often than regular children. While research strategies can’t precisely say that the lack of oxygen at birth creates an adrenalin surge that the individual then continues to try and recreate, that is one theory that is being examined by the scientists.

Discussion topics:

1. In your opinion is there a difference between how men and women perceive the fight and flight response?
2. Do you think adrenaline addiction is something that should be treated and cured or is it just a personal quality that characterises a person?
3. Are you an adrenaline junkie? http://stress.about.com/library/adrenaline/bl_adrenaline_self_test.htm