I didn’t say these programs work. Having lived 4 years in Germany and married to a German for 50 years, there are myriad reasons why ethnic Germans are not reproducing. Much of it has to do with an over-regulated, over-taxed society and the legacy of communism in the East. Despite the great economic prosperity of Germany as a country, wealth has not trickled down to the individual who sees it very difficult to change their station in life. As a result, Germans are more interested in themselves than the sacrifice necessary to raise a family.
Having lived 13 years in Europe in five different countries, I have seen the insidious consequences of the welfare state. It stifles the individual. People are on an endless treadmill to nowhere.
Oh, I wasn’t criticizing you or your comment as such. Just trying to point out the abject failure of a well-intentioned (heh!) gov’t welfare program. As they are prone to fail...
I agree with your further comments... over-taxed, over-regulated (and about to get worse with all that CO2 pseudo-religious foolishness); where’s the joy for starting/growing a family in that?