SUNDAY TIMES UK: Germany loses its way

The Sunday Times ^ | September 22, 2002 | The Sunday Times

[MadIvan]

She may have been an unknown outside her native Germany, but thanks to some ludicrous remarks comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler, Herta Daubler-Gmelin has achieved her 15 minutes of international fame. Germany’s justice minister also ensured — should Gerhard Schröder scrape home in today’s election — that he should not expect an early invitation to Camp David. Even for Mr Schröder, whose outright opposition to war against Iraq has tapped into anti-American sentiment and boosted his election chances, this was a lurch too far. It also underlined the poverty of ideas that has characterised the campaign in Europe’s largest, richest and most populous country.

Germany is a directionless giant. The country may have been embarrassed that it played host to a terrorist cell of September 11 hijackers, but that has not coloured its attitude to other global risks. Opposition to war has provided Mr Schröder with the political ammunition he was lacking. But it has also reinforced the impression of a nation unwilling to pull its weight. The German leader has had little to say on other big issues, including the future of Europe. Germany’s drifting economy is even more alarming. A decade ago Margaret Thatcher worried that a unified Germany would become an economic powerhouse, dominating Europe economically and politically. The reality is very different. Mr Schröder promised much and introduced tax and pension reforms soon after taking office. But these have run into the sands, leaving a lumbering, sclerotic giant with unreformed and inflexible labour laws, 4m unemployed and a taste for intervention. Only last week the German government stepped in to rescue MobilCom, the debt-laden telecoms firm.

Elections are supposed to bring change. In theory a victory today by Edmund Stoiber, Mr Schröder’s conservative rival, could bring about a revitalisation. He, however, has failed to capitalise on the country’s economic stagnation or offer convincing ideas for tackling it. Germany’s problems go deep. Today’s election is unlikely to find a solution to them.

[MadIvan]

The Sunday Times rarely gets its blood up like this. But they are right to do so.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Sunsong]

All decent people should be up in arms about Germany. The US needs to get our troops out of there and maybe place them in Poland.

To compare our President with Hitler, the worst human that most people can think of or have ever heard of is beyond the pale. There must be consequences for an offense this egregious.

[terilyn]

"A decade ago Margaret Thatcher worried that a unified Germany would become an economic powerhouse, dominating Europe economically and politically. The reality is very different."

You can say that again.

Thanks for the ping!

[virgil]

Nice flame. Impressive and from the Brits too. Thats the toughest language I have yet seen in a newspaper about Germany and its moronic election. Good for the Times.

[Billthedrill]

Thank God for the Channel.

So at what point does Germany surrender the leadership of the EU to...Russia?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Herta Daubler-Gmelin

Here she would be called: "Heffer Daubler-Gremlin"

Not the least bit complimenary, I assure you.

Rough translation: Monstrous Green Cow

[BnBlFlag]

"Place our troops in Poland"...........To Hell with Poland. Put 'em on the Mexican Border!

[MadIvan]

To compare our President with Hitler, the worst human that most people can think of or have ever heard of is beyond the pale. There must be consequences for an offense this egregious.

I am going out of my way to not buy anything German - and that includes beer, electronics and even checking if CDs are made in Germany. Perhaps we ought to do so until Germany makes a proper apology to President Bush, and for their rudeness to the Prime Minister.

Regards, Ivan

[pepsionice]

What a lot of people don't realize is that MobileCom was just one of dozens of companies that the German has had to save over the past four years. In each case, they dealt out cash left and right to keep the operations upright and keep the employees still working. The 8.5 unemployment rate that the papers keep talking, which is bad enough, is not really a true figure. Without these constant saves, the current rate would be 16 to 18 percent and Shroeder would be saying ADIOS. Instead, he was smart enough to grab the Bush-Iraq topic and milk it instead of employment. Germany has a wide mix of problems. The tax structure is hindering new companies. The national pension plan is going south. Companies can't find enough trained employees and have to actually look outside of the country. Germans tend to refuse to do low and manual work, which means you have to bring in 3rd world refugees to accomplish this work. The Greens and their environmental policies have taken full root in the government, but the cost is absorbed by every single German....and no one can truely explain what advantage is gained by the current environmental programs. Schorder will will likely win, but he will not see one single member of the Bush team during the next four years except for the US ambassador. And his foreign minister, Fisher, will likely find himself having to explain a lot of things durng various conferences in the future. Its a sad state of affairs for Germany.

[GaryMontana]

Another Great Post Ivan.

I regret that in 1998 I bought a Mercedes-Benz SUV. I can assure you, that is the last German product I will ever purchase.

We have fought and defeated Germay twice, airlifted food to save there sorry rear, defended them from Uncle Joe Stalin, rebuilt their nation through the Marshall plan and this is the thanks we get? Perhaps we should have let the Russians take over the whole damn country after World War Two.

I agree with Jesse Helms, it is time to pull our troops out of Germany and use them to guard are borders with Canada and Mexico. I am sick of paying 24 billion dollars a year for illegal aliens!

[MadIvan]

I regret that in 1998 I bought a Mercedes-Benz SUV.

You may be in the clear. I understand they're built in Alabama - as it's too expensive to make them in Germany. ;)

Of course people could buy a Land Rover. ;)

Regards, Ivan

[Tony in Hawaii]

Well, the current Range Rover has a BMW engine (as does the current Rolls-Royce... horrors!)

[MadIvan]

Oh you're right, they're owned by BMW too. Sorry, get an MG - that's totally British owned.

Regards, Ivan

[Sunsong]

"I am going out of my way to not buy anything German..."

Yes, that too :-). I contacted the German embassy and told as well :-).

They have stooped to a level that we just cannot tolerate.

[Mike Darancette]

Oh you're right, they're owned by BMW too. Sorry, get an MG - that's totally British owned.

I saw a new Mini the other day Blue with a Union Jack roof. So cool I almost cried -- Too bad that the Mini is now a "Nazi Box" too.

[MadIvan]

Not entirely, it's built in Britain by British workers. Just the company is owned by BMW.

Regards, Ivan

[Jeff Chandler]

You can't buy an MG, you have to buy two. That way you'll always have one that is running ; )

[justshe]

ROFL! True statement.

[MadIvan]

You can't buy an MG, you have to buy two. That way you'll always have one that is running ; )

That used to be true. Thankfully, it isn't anymore. ;)

MG Cars

Regards, Ivan