Grand Coalition in Germany

[Abraham]

who shares my thoughts that the German grand coalition govt led by Angela Merkel is doing a better job than Schroeder's SDP? Merkel has so far slashed unemployment by a percentage point. what's more, she will hike sales tax ...what a savior for an ailing german economy..

[Hendrik]

One of the main problems of Germany is the social system.
Once you are unemployed you get money like shit. For some low paid jobs you get less money compared to being unemployed.

Lowering unemployment assistance wont give you much votes, so the problem goes on forever.

Wages are extremely high in Germany. We have lots of high tech industry here, but the mass of low skilled workers doesn't find any jobs, because the production industry has moved to the east.

The other big problem is the decay of our educational system. More money must be spend on it. Most politicians say "we must strengthen our educational system" but noone takes action, because it's so expensive.
In my opinion this will ruin Germany, because education is the only resource we really have.

Will Angela Merkel do better than Gerhard Schroeder?
If Merkel doesn't take action on the points i mentioned above, she will be similar to Schroeder. However taking action will make sure not to be elected again.

Hendrik

[Athena]

You are so right, the correct political actions means loosing the next election. I think this is the worst problem with democracy. And it really hurts when changed economic conditions demand change. Perhaps you will get a leader who put doing the right thing above personal goals. Building public opinon of the painful decisions that must be made, is one to manifest democracy. Remember, democracy empowers the voters and we are all voters. We can speak and speak for the right action, and build support upon which a leader can ride.