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SPD sellout complete: Merkel becomes chancellor

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  • #121
    Originally posted by Colon


    Isn't it possible to hire people at will in Germany? That'd surprise me.
    There are no problem hiring people in germany - the problem arises when you have to fire people wich is quite difficult.

    Because of this companies are very reluctant to hire people.

    That is probably the main reason why germany is in this big trouble.
    With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

    Steven Weinberg

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    • #122
      Originally posted by DanS
      A summary list, according to Wikipedia.

      (1) A drastic cut in marginal income tax rates (the highest from 70% to 28%) and simplified the tax code, which reduced a whole slew of loopholes for industry and individuals.

      (2) He set the tone against entrenched labor interests by firing striking air traffic controllers.

      (3) He removed oil price controls.

      I'm trying to find a more comprehensive list...
      About (1): During his first term, Schröder cut corporate tax from 52% to 39%, the top bracket of in come tax from 53% to 42%, and abolished the capital-gains tax on the sales of cross-holdings. Corporate tax even stands at 25% now. He attempted a new go at tax-reform earlier this year but then the SDP got hammered in Nordrhein-Westfalen and he resigned.

      (2)Granted, he didn't fight the unions, even though IG Metall did weaken considerably, and co-determiniation even got extended.

      (3)Liberalisation of the energy market. (even though that was EU-led)
      Last edited by Colonâ„¢; October 11, 2005, 20:24.
      DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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      • #123
        Originally posted by BlackCat


        There are no problem hiring people in germany - the problem arises when you have to fire people wich is quite difficult.

        Because of this companies are very reluctant to hire people.

        That is probably the main reason why germany is in this big trouble.
        But what exactly makes it hard to fire people in Germany? Is it due to sector-agreements or due to labour-laws?
        Last edited by Colonâ„¢; October 11, 2005, 20:25.
        DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

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        • #124
          Originally posted by DanS
          I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think it is. My brother was a part-time bicycle mechanic and he had a contract. I thought it was odd, because, as stated, I had never had one and didn't know anybody non-union who did have one.
          Yes, part-timers and temporary employees usually get a contract, and those are rather popular in Europe. Maybe that's how you get the impression.
          DISCLAIMER: the author of the above written texts does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for any offence and insult; disrespect, arrogance and related forms of demeaning behaviour; discrimination based on race, gender, age, income class, body mass, living area, political voting-record, football fan-ship and musical preference; insensitivity towards material, emotional or spiritual distress; and attempted emotional or financial black-mailing, skirt-chasing or death-threats perceived by the reader of the said written texts.

          Comment

          • #125
            Originally posted by DanS

            (1) A drastic cut in marginal income tax rates (the highest from 70% to 28%) and simplified the tax code, which reduced a whole slew of loopholes for industry and individuals.
            Keep in mind Reagan's '86 tax 'cuts' increased taxes for 90% of the population

            To all our German friends: having lived in a thoroughly deregulated country I can say that you need to be wary of what you wish for. Perhaps Germany does need some economic tuning but know that the guys doing it aren't doing it for the country, they're doing it to line their own pockets and those of their friends. The German people mean squat to them.
            I'm consitently stupid- Japher
            I think that opinion in the United States is decidedly different from the rest of the world because we have a free press -- by free, I mean a virgorously presented right wing point of view on the air and available to all.- Ned

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            • #126
              The tax cuts were in '81. The simplification and closing of loopholes was in '86. Both were very sound economic policy, from which we have benefitted these last 25 years.

              having lived in a thoroughly deregulated country
              Which country is that? Where is that Xanadu?
              I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

              Comment

              • #127
                Originally posted by Theben

                Germany does need some economic tuning but know that the guys doing it aren't doing it for the country, they're doing it to line their own pockets and those of their friends. The German people mean squat to them.

                QFT


                This is the reason corporations shoould be replaced by co-ops, it would emasculate the political power of the plutocrats.

                Comment

                • #128
                  God, what a fvcking *******.

                  Schroeder Quits Government; blasts U.S., Britain.
                  Oct 12, 2005 — By Dave Graham

                  BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who has led Germany since 1998, said for the first time on Wednesday he would not play a role in the next government, in an emotional farewell including broadsides at the United States and Britain.

                  "I will not be a part of the next government — definitely not be part of it," a tearful looking Schroeder told a rapt audience of union members in his home city of Hanover.

                  He quickly composed himself, hitting his stride in a passionate defense of a strong German state and lashing out at "Anglo-Saxon" economic policies favoured in Britain and the United States, which he said had "no chance" in Europe.

                  In an apparent reference to Hurricane Katrina, Schroeder castigated Washington for liberal, hands-off policies that left it exposed in times of crisis. The Bush administration was widely criticised for its response to the devastating storm.

                  "I do not want to name any catastrophes where you can see what happens if organised state action is absent. I could name countries, but the position I still hold forbids it, but everyone knows I mean America," he said to loud applause.

                  Schroeder was speaking two days after his Social Democrats (SPD) said he was ready to step down to allow conservative leader Angela Merkel to front a power-sharing government of their two parties.

                  Her conservatives narrowly beat Schroeder's SPD in a September 18 general election, but failed to win enough seats to build a majority with their preferred coalition partners.

                  Schroeder, who has been urged by some members of his party to stay on as vice-chancellor in a new government, hinted on Tuesday evening he would not stay on but had not ruled it out publicly before.

                  CLASHES OVER IRAQ

                  Schroeder clashed with Britain and Washington in the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion and has been at odds with British Prime Minister Tony Blair over the direction of European economic policy.

                  Blair has urged European Union countries to cut back state influence on the economy, running into fierce opposition from both Schroeder and his ally, French President Jacques Chirac.
                  I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

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                  • #129
                    Nope, genius doesn't quite fit those asterisks
                    Speaking of Erith:

                    "It's not twinned with anywhere, but it does have a suicide pact with Dagenham" - Linda Smith

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                    • #130
                      Ofc Schröder wouldn't leave silently

                      @ PH

                      Comment

                      • #131
                        Originally posted by Provost Harrison
                        Nope, genius doesn't quite fit those asterisks
                        Katrina doesn't have anything to do with a hands off policy of government or liberal policies. It was a question of what level of government would do what with regard to response.

                        What does that asshat know about the byzantine power and responsibility apportionment among the layers of government in the US (federal, state, city/county, and ward/township)?
                        I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

                        Comment

                        • #132
                          yeah yeah of course "a question of what level of government would do blablabla" that's just an excuse that the administration was poorly prepared and additionally incapable of creating quick and adequate responses

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                          • #133
                            What the hell crawled up Schroeder's buttocks?
                            "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I'll die defending your right to say it." — Voltaire

                            "Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." — Confucius

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                            • #134
                              No, that's not just an excuse. In the US, it matters who does what. The feds don't arrive until day 4 or 5. You can argue that this is not the correct way to do it, but it has absolutely nothing to do with a hands-off government and liberal policies. Further, the federal government only does certain things. It is precluded by law from doing other things. The last time federal troops and other instruments of federal government were in New Orleans was as an occupation force 130 years ago!
                              I came upon a barroom full of bad Salon pictures in which men with hats on the backs of their heads were wolfing food from a counter. It was the institution of the "free lunch" I had struck. You paid for a drink and got as much as you wanted to eat. For something less than a rupee a day a man can feed himself sumptuously in San Francisco, even though he be a bankrupt. Remember this if ever you are stranded in these parts. ~ Rudyard Kipling, 1891

                              Comment

                              • #135
                                Originally posted by DanS
                                No, that's not just an excuse. In the US, it matters who does what. The feds don't arrive until day 4 or 5. You can argue that this is not the correct way to do it, but it has absolutely nothing to do with a hands-off government and liberal policies. The federal government only does certain things. It is precluded by law from doing other things.
                                Well the liberal government is propaganda thing, but the point remains that he had a flood catastrophe that he managed quite well and GWB did a lousy job on his catastrophe.
                                Wether or not he knows anything about the US command structure, it doesn't seem to be working so well and that's visible.

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