Germany... Why is it the EU powerhouse?

[Choice2U]

Some other things to consider:
#1 - Spent 1 month in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Italy just after the wall came down. West Germany & west Berlin were full of proud people that took care of the houses, planted flowers, made things. East Germany & East Berlin were dirty, run down and the people looked and acted like grumps. Extreme Socialism took every once of pride and effort from those folks to the point where after 8 months of freedom, the young people were excited about the future and the older (30 ) scared to the point where they wanted the old system back (when the state thinks for you over generations, you lose your ability to think for yourself).
#2 - The "garlic curtain" and voting for NDP socialism was alive and well in both Manitoba and SK for many years which like or not, Riders 2010, speaks volumes to Klause's comments. We can choose to hide our head in the sand.
#3 - I have German blood and am both proud and sick of my ancestry. The US rebuilt Germany but also gave them the freedom to grow which they did. Greece led the world (alphabet, democracy) and Italy (Roman empire) but then their work ethic fell apart and recent socialism in many Mediterranean countries has led to their demise.

[bucket]

Its a good thing layton never became prime minister!!!!

[hedgehog]

german industry has solid long term funding, not casino style stock market funding like the uk.
hence they invest for the long term.
CLAAS is the market leader in europe by a long way, whereas the UK doesnt even make combines any more.
And WW2 ended 67 yrs ago.

[derek75]

Winkler, Steinbach and Rosenort to name a few are
prime examples of the work ethic and buisness
acumen of german lineage. Simply put, they start,
then grow buisnesses, and the are very good at it.

[derek75]

Winkler, Steinbach and Rosenort to name a few are
prime examples of the work ethic and buisness
acumen of german lineage. Simply put, they start,
then grow buisnesses, and the are very good at it.

[cottonpicken]

Hitler was a blow back consequence of the treaty of
versailles.

Comparing all germans to hitler or superman is as
stupid as comparing all the people in dauphin to lazy
bums.

But i think we can all agree there really is something
wrong with newfoundlanders.

A drunk Newfie was stumbling home one day when
he got lost and found himself in the bush. He fell to
the ground and noticed a lamp. He picked it up, and
rubbed it, and out came a genie.
"You have three wishes, choose them wisely." says the
Genie.

The Newfie, looking down at his last, and empty,
bottle of beer, smashes it on some rocks and says, "I
want a beer that will never run out."

A bottle appears in front of the Newfie. He takes it,
looks at it, and downs it. He looks at it again, and to
his surprise, it was still full. The Newfie being very
content starts walking away.

"Where are you going," asks the Genie, "You still have
two wishes left!"

"Well," replies the Newfie, "Give me TWO more of
these!"

[TOM4CWB]

CP,

I know a number of folks from NFLND that are rocks and faithful caring people. Ft Mac is a good example of their hard working culture.

Klause has reason to be PROUD of the good parts of German heritage... as we all do for the innovation that Germans brought to US and Canada during/after the Second WW. Principaled Justice were the outcome of US influence after WW2... individual property and human rights were the core values...."Do unto others; as you would have done to you." Very Simple.

So.. now...finally... our farm and family CAN stop fighting the Second WW after 'freedom day' August 1 2012!

I had hoped This thread to be a positive encouragement... I hope we can work better together... and learn/profit from others' mistakes and achievements.... and not take the 'foolish' proud road ourselves to poverty!!!

[hedgehog]

even before ww2 most german farmers owned their land outright and therefore got just reward for their good work ethic.
compare that to british farmers who owned nothing but their debts, and only found security in the colonies.

[fjlip]

Germany as so many leading cultures, only downfall was a plainly evil form of government/ dictator.
The ordinary people are NEVER the problem.

It always was, is now and as long as we have many governments on earth will be a hunger for power by every leader. Human greed and ego on a large scale, no different than we see greed in individuals. It's ruins even a great society.

[parsley]

Thoughtful post, fjlip