Posted on 10/11/2006 4:15:03 AM PDT by Renfield
Davids Medienkritik discovered deep condescension toward America from a German executive whose company makes most of its money here. Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking defends the German “social model” of capitalism, and implies that we Americans are barely out of the backwoods with our rifles.
Europe’s culture is decidedly older than that of the USA. The Fuggers were doing business, while hunting was still the order of the day in America. Right now 37 million people in the USA live below the poverty line. The gulf between poor and rich has widened brutally. Do we want to have a situation like that in Europe and particularly in Germany?
Why would anyone buy an expensive car from a company whose head looks down on him?
I wonder what Herr Wiedeking has to say about the Japanese after a beers?
I don't exactly see why defending the German economic model is showing disdain for the USA. He just seems one of the people who doesn't think copying the American economic model 1:1 is the way to go. I also don't understand why you're getting so worked up over the Fugger bit. For one that's just a factand more importantly it says nothing about which economic model suits today's states' needs best. His other points are much more valid, for example the big income gap in the USA. It's a typical warning against getting too euphoric about the good parts of the US system and forgetting about the bad parts.
Trust me euros are jealous and hate the US(they have since I can remember). They will never be the world power again. Germany has about 11-12% unemployment(its 4.6% in the US and we have 300 million people),and they are going to be over run by muslims in the future. They also lack innovation and are weak militarily. They are pissed because a young country like the US knocked them out of the driving seat in world affairs, and if the US ever does fall as a super power they wont be the next superpower. Communist china will be. Europe would do well to repair its alliance with the US and stop moralizing from their diminished position in world affairs.They are also a welfare nanny socialist state(communism lite). No thanks,the US is much more dynamic
and freemoving than the EU,and always will be.
no porshe no problem
Skip French products
Skip Porshe products
EASY!
I don't think there is really a coherent American economic model. At one time it may have been based more or less on the concepts of Adam Smith (which means that the state should butt out, excepting for enforcing contract law and basic honesty) but for quite some time now, the American economy has been fairly constantly tinkered with by Congress, but not in any consistent or coherent way.
My opinion is that a free market is pretty much the best model (even though in a sense it is no model at all, since it denies the state the ability to shape and arrange), and the most likely to lessen poverty. However, I doubt that the US has a noticably freer market than many European countries.
You don't have to answer since I know it is exponentially greater than the U.S.A.'s.
I care what a European thinks because Americans and Europe share a cultural and spiritual heritage, that of Western Civilization, which is unique in the world. And currently under attack.
I drive a Dodge pickup truck, which is a wonderful vehicle. It was American when I bought it, but I believe Dodge has become something of a German company these days. Wife drives a Saab, also a very good vehicle. Saab is owned by GM, I believe. The Saab might get replaced by a Toyota, but it's a little too soon to be thinking about replacing it.
I am proud of it, and proud that Dad participated on the ground.
leak proof, insulated cars are for pu$$ies. :D
In the end, I would say that this article from David's Medienkritik and many reactions on this board remind me of other boycotts because of felt insults, Danish cookies for example.
"got hooked on drugs, got pregnant, etc."
Please...no one just "gets pregnant." Oops she was walking down the street and got pregnant by accident, what a tragedy, no way she could have prevented it!
No one just gets hooked on drugs against their will, either. People make their own choices and put themselves in those situations.
"I'll take my Audi S4 Cabrio any day"
Audis are awesome. BMWs are awesome.
(Turned in my leased Audi allroad a couple of months ago, somewhat sadly)
If I were an "uneducated social drop out" I wouldn't wish that on my kids. And you missed "especially if I had kids".
Wow, a German advocating invading another country ... there's a shocker. :)
Actually if the Russians and the Germans had not faced off against each other in 1941 and Americans had to invade Europe facing a (relatively) fresh Wehrmacht. We would probably have had our butts handed to us on D-Day.
Of course 3 years later we would have nuked Germany flat when we had enough bombs to do it.
Romel was probably one hell of a fine man. Germany has many great things going for it. I like 'em. Many of them like us. Then there is old Europe who just can't handle common stock being able to read, write, self defend and call their BS BS.
Hefe Weissen bier and sausages. They have this down to a science, and cannot be improved upon.
"Don't mention the war!"
Ferdy Porsche and BMW helped the Germans. They were German companies.
Ford helped the Germans and the Americans. It was an American company.
Go figure.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.