While I’m typically a fairly adaptable creature, I admit to feeling a bit like a fish out of water suddenly in my own country. There was a major upset in the Swedish government a couple of weeks ago. The Social Democrats lost power to the “Moderates” who plan to restructure the fabulously famous Swedish Welfare State. And I’m torn about it.

On one hand, it’s high time the abuse of the welfare state be reigned in. The Swedish economy, while still strong despite its unwillingness to join the Euro-currency, is headed for disaster if something isn’t done quick. Of course it won’t affect health care benefits; instead mostly unemployment benefits…while offering up a big push to attract international business.

On the other hand, I see the fatal flaw in succumbing to business–allowing multi-national corporations to pull the strings and create policy behind the scenes. One of my most favorite things about Sweden is that the “how” of government is very much in the public realm. Very few secret handshakes. That’s all set for big change.

And no one, no one, likes change. Change is hard. Painful. Heartbreaking.

I was eligible to vote. But I didn’t. I was going through some big changes myself. See, my country is no longer Sweden. I’ve repatriated. Back to the great PNW. I refuse, however, to let it all go. I’m keeping my residency permit current for as long as I can. Just in case. This country, now that I’m back, scares the hell out of me more than ever.