Article

2005-08-07 Europe

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Posted by Steve White 2005-08-07 00:53|| || Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 the big center, well usually doesnt work

Posted by Hupomoque Spoluter7949 2005-08-07 01:56|| 2005-08-07 01:56|| Front Page Top

#2 I predict a further swing to the left. Germany is going down the tubes.

Posted by Sock Puppet 0â Doom 2005-08-07 02:01|| 2005-08-07 02:01|| Front Page Top

#3 Bloomberg - facts without the spin.

Posted by phil_b 2005-08-07 02:12|| 2005-08-07 02:12|| Front Page Top

#4 Is TGA anywhere in the building and ready to share some of his own special brand of perceptive insight on these developments?

Posted by Tony (UK) 2005-08-07 09:19|| 2005-08-07 09:19|| Front Page Top

#5 Thanks to God that we don't have a parliamentary system of proportional representation. Clinton's situation was preferable to what Merkle's appears likely to be. PR seems like a method to generate more dissension and fracture than sufficent support to govern effectively. I believe Germany deserves better but also that people get the government they deserve, especially in democracies.

Posted by Mrs. Davis 2005-08-07 09:32|| 2005-08-07 09:32|| Front Page Top

#6 "parliamentary system of proportional representation"

Amen. Mrs D. This is a status quo insurance approach to politics. The appeal, of course, is that not too much damage can be done in such coalitions. On the other hand, given the mix of parties in European countries (centrist to just Left of Trotsky), not much good can be accomplished, either. Basically, as a form of government, it sucks like an F5 plundering downtown Okie City. Stasis, at best, populist (read: nanny-statist & xenophobic), at worst, not a model for forward progress. Germany's got a several real problems to solve, dumping the EU as promulgated being one, and this holds them back.

Posted by .com 2005-08-07 09:46|| 2005-08-07 09:46|| Front Page Top

#7 To me this reads like the typical journalist bulldada. First they complain incessantly about "dirty and divisive politics and elections", claim that the "people" want a unified government with no argument or debate on divisive issues; yet they continually try to make all politics into a "horse race", setting otherwise inoffensive candidates against each other, and boosting fringe organizations who refuse to compromise on anything while ignoring moderation, courtesy, and compromise by the centrists.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-08-07 10:29|| 2005-08-07 10:29|| Front Page Top

#8 ...and pledged to make pensioners "once again proud to walk the streets."

Great, hookers with canes and false teeth...

Posted by Raj 2005-08-07 11:01|| 2005-08-07 11:01|| Front Page Top

#9 Good luck on stimulating labor demand by increasing wage rates. We tried that once in the U.S. around, oh, 1930-33 or so.

Posted by Curt Simon 2005-08-07 13:27|| 2005-08-07 13:27|| Front Page Top

#10 The risk is a left, left, left coalition. No Merkle in that at all.

Posted by Sock Puppet 0â Doom 2005-08-07 18:13|| 2005-08-07 18:13|| Front Page Top

#11 I agree with Anonymoose. Move along, there is nothing to see here, good citizens.

This reminds me of how most of the world sees the U.S. as consisting of only Micheal Jackson and porn. Then they get surprised when GWB wins an election.

Posted by Poison Reverse 2005-08-07 20:59|| 2005-08-07 20:59|| Front Page Top

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