Welcome to Place Agora,

Agora was a place of assembly for the people in ancient Greece, similar to the Roman Forum. This is now your place to voice opinions, thoughts and tell how Finnish politics has either upset you or makes you proud. You can submit feedback to: democrat@democratic-forum.net

PLACE AGORA...activated

Recently I had a very bad cold and I was forced to take a ten-minute bus journey to the nearest pharmacy for my medicine supplies. My journey among the healthy exposed more people to my sneezing and sniffing making me feel like I was a leper. Why isn’t it possible to purchase medium-strength medicines from R-Kioskis, supermarkets or petrol stations, like the UK?   John, Helsinki

Why do citizens automatically join the church and pay church tax, instead of being able to decide for themselves whether it is for them or not? Why are many Finns forced into a club that they are not interested in, plus have to fund it with a percentage of their wage? I have heard stories about people trying to leave the church but being the third degree but the vicar and some have been made to feel very guilty about their decision. Not very Christian is it.   Richard, Helsinki

Sain tietää hammaslääkäriksi opiskeleva ystävältäni, että hän joutuu maksamaan 12 seuraavaa vuotta nostamansa opintolainoja takaisin valmistuttuaan yliopistosta. Kaikki on siitä kiinni, saako hän heti töitä valmistumisensa jälkeen. On myöskin toivottava, ettei hänen elämäntilanteeseensa tulisi enää mitään lisäkuluja tai lainoja hammaslääkärit tarvitsevat hammaskliniikkaa. Minun mielestäni ystävälläni on kaksi vaihtoehtoa, joko käydä töissä markkinoiden ja myyden yritysten tuotteita (yrityksethän etsivät tulevia hammaslääkäreitä jo opiskelun aikana). Tai hän voi turvata elantonsa menemällä rikkaan miehen kanssa naimisiin!! Suomessa kuten muuallakin tarvitaan hyvin koulutettuja ja erikoistuneita tiedemiehiä, jotka ovat omistautuneita tieteelle opiskelu- ja työuransa aikana. Emme tarvitse hammaslääkäreitä, jotka ovat jo opiskelujensa aikana ja sittemmin työelämässään pankin kuristusotteessa opintovelkojensa takia. Muutenhan miellä ei olisi hammaslääkäriä vaan myynti-ihminen, joka huolehtii hampaistamme.   Anon, Helsinki

Every public holiday shops are forced to shut their doors and give staff a holiday, even if the day falls on the most popular shopping day of the week, Saturday. Why can’t the law be changed to allow staff and stores the choice of whether to open or not? The majority of staff work Monday to Friday and rely on Saturday opening to purchase the necessaries, while other employees wouldn’t mind earning time and a half or even double-time to top up their minimum wage jobs.   Carlos, Turku

Now the days are dark by early evening why aren’t children forced to wear reflective clothing and have lights/reflectors on their bikes and skateboards? The number of kids that just appear from nowhere in the dark are too many.   Maria, Espoo

My wife had to visit Malmi hospital recently to and after paying the 11e fee she sat and waited for nearly three hours. In that time she was actually hoping something was wrong with her just so her time and money weren’t wasted. When a doctor eventually saw her the appointment lasted just eight minutes and she was given very little help.   Cyras, Helsinki

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