[vladimir998]

Germans don’t exactly work that much either. They usually retire at about age 55.

[Kenny Bunk]

What the Germans have going for them (or at least used to in my far-off day) is a craft-apprentice tradition for that majority of young people who honestly cannot cut the mustard as university students. It used to be the same in Britain.

BTW, before FReepers fall into paroxysms of Deutscheslieb kindly consider that the Germans also have 30-60 days mandatory paid vacation, absurdly early retirement, mandatory health insurance, maternity and paternity leave, and every other social benefit the PIIG countries claim they have, but unlike the Germans, cannot afford. What keeps the German bubble inflated is manufacturing and export efficiency, marketing thoroughness, and realistic fiscal policies. Jawohl, it could all blow up, but long after the rest of the Euro-weenies do.

Also consider that after taking over the DDR, the Germans benefited from a long repressed domestic market. Just giving every ex-krautkommie credit, an extra pair of pants, shoes, a toaster, fridge, and new scooter, was an enormous economic opportunity!

Deutschland Deutschland uber alles ... for a while anyway.

[dangus]

I don’t get why Ireland is lumped in with Greece. They chose budget austerity, and have a better budget balance than we do, by far.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

The worst thing about this article is the premise - the unemployement rate = lazy rate. Sounds like a young punk or a rich kid that’s never been unemployed before. Boy, those feelings will change in time!

Unemployed = lazy. Is there anything more bigoted?!

Like saying “pregnant” = contraception failure.