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#1
01-05-2005, 11:30 AM
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Germany - Workers Utopia or More Failed Socialism?
This is a continuation of an argument in a hijacked thread.
Bill Ungero's assertion that Germany is a worker's utopia, providing compassionate cradle to grave care for all citizens is failing. Though, much material with many facts have been presented, Bill clings to a notion that Germany is a viable worker's paradise. Let's start here: AGEING POPULATION Source Although Germany's economy is growing again after contracting in 2003, it is not yet generating the kind of jobs that pay into the social security system. With a rapidly ageing population, the strains on the welfare state remain intense. The pension system only averted a liquidity crisis in 2004 by selling off real estate. The government's economic advisers summed up the problem in their annual report in November, saying higher health and nursing costs meant higher labour costs for employers, and in turn, a reluctance to hire. That leads to lower contribution receipts, which in turn pushes up contribution rates. "This is a vicious circle which must be broken," they said. They said it was imperative that there were further reforms to the financing of the social security system. This is likely to be a key challenge for the government elected in 2006, whether of the current political hue or led by the opposition Christian Democrats. Such reforms would probably require a major overhaul of the tax system and the government would not have a free ride before next year's election as the upper house of parliament is in opposition hands. It is also far from clear yet if the labour market reforms will be a success. According to media reports, rejections of applications for the new jobless benefits are lower than the government expected, meaning budgetary savings could fall short and thwart efforts to bring Germany's budget deficit back in line with EU rules. And the jobs reforms are expected to boost unemployment figures automatically to record levels of close to five million, perhaps as early as January. 
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#2
01-05-2005, 11:55 AM
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This is exactly why I opposed the millionaire tax in California.
It discourages people from making the million and encourages people to become recipients of the tax revenue. While this one tax was not likely to break the bank its a classic example of taxation without representation. The whole system of taxation and spending needs to be turned on its head. Unfortuantely as we can see in Germany if this is not done before too many people become dependent on it the country is due to collapse. People will take the free ride if you offer it to them until such a time as no one is left driving. This all starts with a lack of education in economics, social behaviour and history. I cant escape the feeling that we are headed down the same road if we dont start educating our kids about this stuff at an early age. At any rate the evidence is all around us that socialism has its limits.
__________________
"I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person" www.electcommonsense.com/ecsnuke
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#3
01-05-2005, 3:57 PM
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Bah Humbag,
Germany contributes SIX HUNDRED and SEVENTY MILLION EUROS to the dissssssaster relief. The USA contributes THREE HUNDRED and FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS to the dissssssaster relief. (This amounts to slightly over Two Hundred and Tewnt-Seven Million Euros.) Shame on US.
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#4
01-05-2005, 4:04 PM
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http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapc...ribution.reut/
Notice germany there your calculations dont match Must not be Euros
__________________
"I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person" www.electcommonsense.com/ecsnuke
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#6
01-05-2005, 7:56 PM
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Quote:
Thank you for visiting the thread! I've not the time to address your remarks tonight but you may want to wear your asbestos undies tomorrow. You've left me much material to work with and tomorrow promises to be another slow day at work. Honestly, during the slow times I do not know what I'd do without you. I feel I owe you. Trout fishing in Canada this summer? If my contacts come through as usual, we'll set a date. Seriously. I'll even provide the whisky. It gets cold up there - even in August and the Canadians do not know how to make real whisky. Ya gotta go to Tennessee for the good stuff.  I'll even bring the sparring equipment, and swear to your safe return - just in case. What do you say?
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#7
01-05-2005, 8:30 PM
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Boe,
I would love to go fishing with you. Does it have to be Canada in August? The Black Bugs will eat you alive. Seriously. I will be in Europe in March and in August. In June I am taking my Bride on a trip to celebrate putting up with me for FOURTY YEARS. In July, my Bride and I are taking the grandchildren camping in our RV. As you can see, I have a pretty busy dance card this year. It's not likely that I could go to Canada. How about a long weekend on Sam Rayburn as my guest?
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#8
01-06-2005, 10:09 AM
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Quote:
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#9
01-06-2005, 10:17 AM
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German unemployment surges upward. Some areas have up to 18% unemployed.
Source Date: Thursday, December 02, 2004 9:47:17 AM EST BERLIN, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Germany recorded its 10th straight month of rising unemployment, officially at 10.8 percent, in November, government statistics showed. Europe's leading economy saw unemployment rise 7,000 to 4.464 million people last month, or 10.8 percent of the workforce, the Federal Labor Agency reported. Much of the problem stems from the nation's weak economic growth, estimated at 0.1 percent for the third quarter, officials said. Unemployment has remained above 4 million for years. The effect of Germany's chronically stagnant economy is most keenly felt in the former East Germany where unemployment runs more than 18 percent, the BBC said Wednesday.
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