[nathanbedford]

Isn't Germany socialist?

No, although it is more socialist than I like. There is some question whether it is more or less socialist than the USA.

And here I was thinking that socialism was a bad thing!

Hallelujah! You have finally uncovered an acorn.

Did Germany finally figure out how to make socialism work?

See above. I did not say German socialism worked, I described parts of their economy as being successful, which they are.

Is America's middle class "yuge"?

It has more people but then America has nearly 4 times the number of people as Germany. I think Germany has a larger middle class as a percentage. In any event, Donald Trump just ran an election on the proposition that the middle class in America was disintegrating. Nobody thinks that of Germany.

[Sacajaweau]

Germany has much to much control over the EU countries. The EU has gone far beyond its original intention. It's almost a scam.

The UK did the right thing.

As far as Ivanka and this meet. Better to be there and be informed as to what other countries are trying to pull than sit home and just see what happens.