So, we have in one corner John McCain, a man already involved in one of the biggest financial scandals in US history, that resulted in the taxpayer making sure that wealth continued to concentrate at the top (S&L / Keating 5 scandal for those with short memories). In the other corner we have Barack Obama, an unknown, inexperienced man, who happens to have a gorgeous persona and is an enthralling orator. And he is a minority. So, we all get gooey over making history and electing a minority to the white house, a worthy goal in and of itself. But where did his $150M last month come from? Not guys carrying lunchboxes to work. You honestly think he is going to do anything to oppose the robber barons that own this country? It's political theater, bread and circuses, let's all go to the Coliseum and watch the bloodshed, while the real Emperor(s) look on, and give a thumbs up or thumbs down at the end of the play. The people who really  own this country are laughing at us.

OK, I've said my piece. I'm done now. Go back to arguing about electoral politics while the process of our economic enslavement continues unabated and unnoticed by most. They want it that way after all...

-- Modified on 10/25/2008 7:50:58 AM

-- Modified on 10/25/2008 7:53:36 AM

Its almost like we are supposed to vote for Obama. The GOP blunders and choice of candidates this year is beyond foolish.

BTW are you sure your german? You sound almost Russian or Serbian to me.

The exploited think that being exploited is the natural order of things.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were Germans, you know '  Yes, I was born in Erbach im Odenwald, Germany in Franconian Hessen. I own a home in Baden-Württemberg that my family has owned for over 700 years. Between the Brown Shirts and the NASDP before the war, and the so called "National Socialists" (who were of course Fascists and not socialists at all) over half of my family was murdered or imprisoned, because of our political views, our being one of the old titled families, and my Grandfather's participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler in 1944. Yes, I am German. I remain proud to be German, for all of our collective failings, I am proud of what Germany is today - a state that combines private ownership of property and the means of production with public education and health care, has a high standard of living, a strong economy and excellent social and civil liberties.

Cheers - Gregory  

-- Modified on 10/25/2008 9:51:06 AM

I’m curious about the status and recent history of immigration (both legal and illegal) to Germany and how that has affected their 12% unemployment.  Is there still a migration from East to West? How was that handled?

-- Modified on 10/25/2008 10:30:52 AM

interesting question. I visit Germany for eight weeks in the year and try to keep up with the news but am probably not competent to give a complete answer.

One thing that people who look at German unemployment do not take into consideration is the social and economic reality of taking in East Germans who were not raised under a meritocratic system. There was huge unemployment in East Germany and high expectation of handouts. Reunification is near and dear to the heart of Westerners but has impacted the country's economy. However, I'd much rather be unemployed under the German social safety net than in the US.

Germany has a large influx of Turkish people, who are generally hard working and contribute a lot to the economy. I think the population is nearing 10% Turkish. And the Donner-Kebab (Gyro) is the most popular fast food in Germany - supplied invariably by Turks who own restaurants and kiosks.

Cheers

Gregory

is if they gave an election, and nobody voted. A massive vote of "no confidence" in the electoral system and the existing government.

I work for a European company based in Finland. There are Kebab joints everywhere.

The sustained unemployment average for the EU is also fairly high. 9% I think.

Do you know what percentage of the Turks are illegal?

You said it yourself.

"Youd much rather be unemployed" Taken a little out of context, but relevant.

You see its all in the mindset. Unemployment is an option. And the path of least resistance would dictate that given that option without a significant opportunity for reward, most would choose to live a utopian existance.

Here is communism as described to me from a friend.

Early in school you take a test. Your best suited job skill is then wieghed versus the needs of the party. Guess who wins? You are then trained specifically for that job with little or no crosstraining. Then you do it till you die.

at least in Finland. I've been there.

One could argue that in the U.S. there is lack of educational choice based on economic factors. It's true to an extent, but more easily remedied on an individual basis than the choice problems in the socialistic model.

They just dont tell everyone about it.

That way ignorant conspiricy theorists like youself have something to wave around so people will think your smart.

Do you tell everyone how you make your money? Where you keep it. How often when you see a provider do you use your credit card?

Why should we?

Look I understand your from a foriegn country and really dont know much about what is going on. Im not trying to be an asshole. But you make it hard to resist.

I said that I would rather be unemployed under a system of government that invests in retraining and education than in the US where you're sh*t out of luck and on your own.

You know, a lot of good men died for the domino theory of communist expansion. Was it true? of course not - communism per se can't survive contact with reality.

Socialism and communism are entirely different things. Capitalists want to scare people away from looking at socialism as an option by waving the communist boogeyman. Sheesh!

All of my cousins in Germany have been able to study at university following any path they desired as long as they graduated Gymnasium and passed the Abitur exam.  Education in Germany is a meritocracy - if you don't work at it or do poorly, you are steered in the direction of trade education and apprenticeship.

From what I understand in Finland, there are aptitude testing hurdles to pass in order to be admitted to Universities. Otherwise one is indeed steered (very polite term) towards trade education.

This is not the same freedom of choice that is available in the U.S. Granted, universities here have standards for graduation, but the admittance standards for many colleges are quite low. As long as you can afford the tuition many will give most everyone "a shot", regardless of aptitudinal screening (which never really happens in the first place).

It becomes a question of which comes first, the "common good" or an individual's liberties and freedoms?

-- Modified on 10/26/2008 9:43:21 PM