Some myths about the state of the German nation
1. Germany voted against reforms
The argument is nothing more than the Christian Democrats’ cant, licking their wounds. In fact, the election results reflect the people’s desire for a big coalition that smoothly sails around the blocked federal council. Germans finally want to see their politicians on the negotiation table. We’re sick and tired of parliamentary bickering and deadlock.
2. Social welfare makes us numb, lazy and selfish
Yep, partly true. What would you do, if you cannot grab a job that pays off better than social welfare? Starve?!
3. Germany’s economy is down
No, Germany’s economy is flourishing! All DAX-companies realized handsome profits in recent years. The problem is the high unit labor cost, directly and indirectly. Therefore, Germany’s economy is flourishing abroad, not at home.
4. Germany’s tax-system is unfair
Well, it might surprise you, but the low-income worker in Germany pays less taxes than the one in the United States. Yes, it could be a bit more lucent and to have a flat-tax is a nice idea…, in general. Like in all conservative arguments, the demon hides between the lines and the current chitchat about plugging the loopholes is a loose talk, because - while the SPD-government already eliminated the loopholes for tax-evasion - the CDU now wants to get rid of all depriciation allowances. A legal tool, which once was institutionalized not without reason.
Let me give one example. Although there might be no such thing like a tax-break for commuters in your country, you should be aware of what the abolishment of the tax-break means for a worker, who already had included it in the calculation of his income: he probably has to quit his job! Economically it means still greater immobility.
5. Germans fear change
No, we just fear Merkel.
6. The deadlock in Germany will take Europe’s economy down in its grave
Sometimes its a good idea to switch off the telly and to take a look at the figures. There is no deadlock. Besides his obvious drunkeness, there was nothing wrong, undemocratic or unrealistic in Schröder’s declaration to not step back. Merkel simply would not even approximately have a parliamentary majority, neither for being elected as chancellorette, nor for passing any law. The mechanism is simple: she will fail two rounds of elections, then president Köhler will ask Schröder to extend his chancellorship and after a few weeks Schröder will invite the Christian Democrats to join in a big coalition, most likely with Edmund Stoiber as Vice-Chancellor. Stoiber does have the political profile to align the CDU/CSU, and the government will have stable political majorities to continue with the reform agenda. Thus, the election results actually are good for Europe, as the German economy is likely to boost.
7. Germans are generally nutty! (a special feature for Mark Steyn and the Telegraph)
Wow, 33,33% of Germans believe that the United States government was responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11? That’s your basis for diagnosing folie à plusieurs, Mr. Steyn? Thank goodness, someone finally shortened our anamnesis for more than 60 years!
P.S.: Please check your sources and the mental health of your editors next time.
The argument is nothing more than the Christian Democrats’ cant, licking their wounds. In fact, the election results reflect the people’s desire for a big coalition that smoothly sails around the blocked federal council. Germans finally want to see their politicians on the negotiation table. We’re sick and tired of parliamentary bickering and deadlock.
2. Social welfare makes us numb, lazy and selfish
Yep, partly true. What would you do, if you cannot grab a job that pays off better than social welfare? Starve?!
3. Germany’s economy is down
No, Germany’s economy is flourishing! All DAX-companies realized handsome profits in recent years. The problem is the high unit labor cost, directly and indirectly. Therefore, Germany’s economy is flourishing abroad, not at home.
4. Germany’s tax-system is unfair
Well, it might surprise you, but the low-income worker in Germany pays less taxes than the one in the United States. Yes, it could be a bit more lucent and to have a flat-tax is a nice idea…, in general. Like in all conservative arguments, the demon hides between the lines and the current chitchat about plugging the loopholes is a loose talk, because - while the SPD-government already eliminated the loopholes for tax-evasion - the CDU now wants to get rid of all depriciation allowances. A legal tool, which once was institutionalized not without reason.
Let me give one example. Although there might be no such thing like a tax-break for commuters in your country, you should be aware of what the abolishment of the tax-break means for a worker, who already had included it in the calculation of his income: he probably has to quit his job! Economically it means still greater immobility.
5. Germans fear change
No, we just fear Merkel.
6. The deadlock in Germany will take Europe’s economy down in its grave
Sometimes its a good idea to switch off the telly and to take a look at the figures. There is no deadlock. Besides his obvious drunkeness, there was nothing wrong, undemocratic or unrealistic in Schröder’s declaration to not step back. Merkel simply would not even approximately have a parliamentary majority, neither for being elected as chancellorette, nor for passing any law. The mechanism is simple: she will fail two rounds of elections, then president Köhler will ask Schröder to extend his chancellorship and after a few weeks Schröder will invite the Christian Democrats to join in a big coalition, most likely with Edmund Stoiber as Vice-Chancellor. Stoiber does have the political profile to align the CDU/CSU, and the government will have stable political majorities to continue with the reform agenda. Thus, the election results actually are good for Europe, as the German economy is likely to boost.
7. Germans are generally nutty! (a special feature for Mark Steyn and the Telegraph)
Wow, 33,33% of Germans believe that the United States government was responsible for the terrorist attacks of September 11? That’s your basis for diagnosing folie à plusieurs, Mr. Steyn? Thank goodness, someone finally shortened our anamnesis for more than 60 years!
P.S.: Please check your sources and the mental health of your editors next time.
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