How the Fail Chancellor sabotaged his own vote, pissed off his coalition partners & cast his government into chaos – all in a misbegotten attempt to own the AfD
eugyppius, no matter how many times you attempt to explain German politics and despite your high level of skill as a communicator, I usually wind up more confused at the end. Perhaps this is the point of the German political system?
Germany however fits neatly into the common theme of current Western "democracies" (shorthand for a system that purports to have government serving will of its sovereign citizens). Although the vast majority of the citizenry all want the same things (safe streets, competent infrastructure, decent public schools, peaceful relations with other countries), this is never delivered. Ever.
One of two conclusions must be true: (1) either "democracy" does not work; or (2) these systems are not actually "democracies," but systems that have been completely captured by other forces. I suspect the latter.
The purpose of a system is what it does. Democracy is working exactly as intended, a front for the money power of the day that gives a population the illusion that they have a say in the direction of government.
I take the (apocryphal?) Lincoln precept, “You can fool most of the people some of the time,” and based on current observation, particularly since the deracination of education, and the extension of the franchise to all who ingest oxygen (besides those who no longer do, but still count as registered voters), and extend it to, “You can fool most of the people *all* of the time.”
This is why democracy and demagoguery are closely related words, neither having a sterling reputation in the past 2300 years.
Isn't this sort of thing always possible in a parliamentary system? But in Germany none of the parties is big enough to govern on its own, so there are always such deals going on. In the UK the Tories or Labor would have an absolute majority -- but now with the Reform party that may change. And in the US it was Dems or Republicans, but Musk's America party may throw in a wrench. Germany has a lot of little parties.
Both of those could be true. This link came from Soban the Stranger. As an American, I was raised to think that democracy is The Best Shiniest Thing Ever, despite the fact that some of the Founding Fathers were doubtful. There are some interesting points brought out in the article In Praise of Passivity https://spot.colorado.edu/~huemer/papers/passivity.htm
The World Socialist Website has an interesting take on Germany under Merz and on the Greens:
Excerpts
"Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) used his speech in the general debate to beat the war drums against Russia. He denounced the Russian government as a “criminal regime” that was “on its way to destroying the political freedom order of the entire European continent.” Merz declared: “The tools of diplomacy have been exhausted.”
That is a barely veiled declaration of war. First, the German government deliberately provoked Russia’s reactionary invasion of Ukraine, then systematically escalated the conflict and torpedoed any diplomatic solutions in order to use it today as a pretext to prepare for a comprehensive war against Russia. That is the purpose of the rearmament madness debated in the Bundestag over recent days.
The sheer figures alone show that this is not about defence, but about an aggressive war policy. In 2024, NATO defence budgets amounted to US $1.5 trillion, constituting 55 percent of global military expenditure—10 times what Russia spends. Now, NATO has decreed that spending must rise to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. That would equate to roughly US$2.5 trillion—17 times the Russian and eight times the Chinese military budgets.
Germany is not merely complying with NATO’s orders; it is the driving force behind this madness. While many countries will struggle to reach the 5 percent goal by 2035, Germany intends to hit 3.5 percent in pure military expenditure and 1.5 percent for additional war preparedness within three years. The current draft budget allocates €86 billion in total. The defence budget alone will increase by €10 million. By 2029, the total is set to exceed €150 billion—surpassing Russia’s current military budget.
Germany, which in 2024 had the world’s fourth‑largest defence expenditure, would, with these figures, have by far the largest NATO army in Europe. The combined current budgets of the nuclear powers France and the UK do not reach this level. These figures underpin Merz’s self‑appointed role as Europe’s leader.
He declared in parliament: “I am taking on the leadership responsibility that in my understanding, a German chancellor must assume—one that Europe expects of us. Together with the foreign minister and defence minister, we have taken on such leadership responsibility within NATO.”
This utterly unhinged horror scenario of a Russian invasion that must allegedly be repelled under German leadership evokes the darkest chapters of German history. On December 11, 1941, Hitler legitimised war against America by invoking the same narrative:
“From month to month more, already in 1940, the realisation grew that the plans of the men in the Kremlin deliberately aimed at the domination and thus the destruction of all Europe,” proclaimed the Führer. Under such conditions, “Germany today is not fighting for itself, but for our entire continent. And it is a fortunate sign that that realisation is so deeply rooted in the unconscious of most European peoples that, whether through open declaration or through the influx of volunteers, they participate in this struggle.”
By then, Hitler had already occupied a large part of Europe and made it clear what was meant by German leadership in Europe. It was about the aggressive enforcement of German economic interests through terror. Four years later, Europe lay in ruins. The demand for German leadership in Europe brings back the worst memories of the greatest crimes in human history and is synonymous with fear and terror."
"The Greens differ little in their militaristic rhetoric from the AfD. When they criticise the government, it is only on the grounds that rearmament is not proceeding quickly enough. “What is needed is not lamenting the Trump administration, not whitewashing, not coalition squabbles—but a clear, action‑backed message to the war criminals in the Kremlin: Do not dare to attack our democracy, our freedom—in Ukraine, in the Baltic states, and certainly not here in our country!” declared Agnieszka Brugger, deputy spokesperson for the Greens’ parliamentary group."
In German budget debate, Merz threatens Russia with war and declares himself leader of Europe - World Socialist Web Site
It’s incredible the blind spot people, even (maybe especially) conservatives, have for the never ending promotion of war and military buildup. Any threat to European countries stems from their own governance, not marauding Russians.
Meanwhile, we pour trillions into the MIC for things that we should not even be using on each other. This is crazy. If we put half of that into infrastructure projects, the world we so much better.
The most difficult thing to accept these recent years is the realization that everything is captured. By money and other forces that do not have our best interests at heart.
We’re seeing a lot of this in Europe where the powers that be simply override the systems in place to get the result they desire. It’s blatant, harmful and reprehensible.
That is why, if he flies too near to the sun, a disclaimer is made 'I distance myself from xxxx'.
Bit like the UTube docs who have to make statements like; 'The CDC say the vaccine (sic) is safe and effective', while the entire content of their show describes never before heard horrors about the lethal genetic bioweapon. If they did not, they would lose their utube channel.
Or the scientists who make a paper showing some of the gazzillion diseases that are being caused by the jab, but have to waffle in the conclusion, and many even say 'the benefits outweigh the risks.'. If they did not, the paper would not get published.
And, as crazy as German social media patrolling is, the punishments are far less than the UK, where you can end up behind bars for years.
Not to mention all the lovely chemicals ☠️we breath, eat and drink. The shots just added to the crowds in the medical institutions. Long term patients is much more profitable than death.
I was a fraud auditor. Although many are easily bought by shiny objects, it's more complex. People seek power, prestige, fame and fortune. My observation is that it's an outsized sense of self called pride. They are mentally unwell and spiritually bankrupt and the Western culture breeds selfishness and lack of accountability/justice.
Keep in mind, there is a little bit of Judas Iscariot in all of us and we can feed or starve this monster as we choose. None of us, not a single one, have been able to master all our passions.
The powers that be know who he is. He already described a previous run in. I think, though, he has some powerful buddies. Unlike the normies, I think he would get amazing legal counsel and it might even turn into a political brouhaha. So, they are not bothering him, for now.
Remember when he described an American man just being at the front of his house, surreptitiously? That was during Biden. These agencies all help each other so they don’t do the search themselves…
Oh, they're probably not THAT illiterate, but it's trivially easy to hide one's IP address when posting (use a VPN or TOR). Moreover, I would hope that Substack would protect an author's privacy from foreign doxing demands.
'they pledge to avoid all AfD votes like the fascist plague that they are'
I know I've asked this before, and if it was answered, it didn't stick in my tiny micro-animal micro brain.
Just exactly how do they 'avoid' AFD votes—what is the procedural mechanism? Can they just...throw them out? What if AFD members vote the same way out of spite?
Yes, so they can't achieve any legislative outcome with AfD support. So, if AfD votes for a thing but it would've happened anyway (i.e., the majority without the AfD was already there), then it's allowed. In practice this means you have to count votes very carefully, to avoid accidentally winning with AfD.
Micro brain here. Does this mean they would have to tell some of their own people to vote against their own thing because otherwise it might win because some AfD people might vote for it?
in certain situations that might happen, but generally they manage this by manipulating the agenda and trying to ensure that the only votes that happen are the ones for which the necessary 'democratic' majorities have already been secured.
It *seems* that way but in reality is just retarded. Mean girls are way more sophisticated (and more interested in self preservation) than these clowns.
It really is. That's why some of the people in other parties(like Merz) doesn't even greet people from the AfD when he runs into them in the Bundestag. These people are worse than children
Firewalls do not belong in a real democracy. The firewall against the AfD effectively disenfranchises almost a third of the German voters. It gags their voice, makes them politically impotent, and laughs at the idea of compromise. Nothing good will come of this. It turns German politics into a frustrating, artificial, construct.
And partisan judges are poison. Their specific decisions can do irreparable damage; while undermining the general rule of law. Activists and ideologues should not be judges, especially at the highest levels.
When the previous administration ended, the Bundestag actually voted to stop voting so as to avoid accidentally creating a majority with the help of the AfD. Yes, that was the official reason given.
The cartel parties have realized that the process to outlaw the AfD would take a long time and probably fail in the end, so they have decided in the meantime to just pretend that they are already outlawed. For example, in one SPD-led state they announced that no AfD member will be eligible for public service anymore. Ironically they try to keep out enemies of the constitution by doing something blatantly unconstitutional.
The attempt to install two communists in the constitutional court is meant to build a chamber of the court hand-tailored to rule in favor of outlawing the AfD, but as I said, this will take some time, so until then everyone just treats the AfD as already outlawed.
In the meantime, the disaffection created by these crazy policies will drive even more people into the arms of populist parties like AfD. At a certain point something's got to give. Amazing they can't see that.
" .. a completely incompetent moron named Friedrich Merz ..." You are a master of understatement, Eugyppius. Merz is a lot worse than that. He even makes Merkel look kind of clever.
No clown costume would befit these people. Thankfully you can put it in a joking way, otherwise, it seems like melodrama. How could these people be bank directors, judges, lawyers? They seem to be completely lost as to what is really important in the country. Your electricity net soon to be overrated, disowning farmers and endangering the food supply, and giving all the money to a foreign lost war. I cannot but agree with Phil Davis. Be very careful. The govt did not hesitate to arrest Fuelmilch and even people who told a joke, and now the Netherlands are doing the same, as is the UK. Soon Russia will be the free country to go to. Sad my head cannot learn the language, probably too full with other crap.
"How could these people be bank directors, judges, lawyers?"
Journalists, teachers, doctors, and scientists have done yeoman's work recently in revealing to us that our automatic respect for professionalism is seriously unearned. Realize that the syndrome extends across other professions as well.
As they say, chances are 50/50 that a <provider of any service> graduated in the bottom half of his class.
and even that might not be bad if they are a good person willing to help others! A doctor graduating first of class can be a crook playing along with pharma to harm and kill. It are sadly enough, the lawyers who now seem to know more about healthcare than doctors, and I don't trust any school teacher. I remember the completely useless girl giving a test lesson and enthusiastically saying that yes, she wanted to teach, whereas the one who delivered a flawless lesson, had already decided to move away from education.
yes I know - it is a difficult language. I learned a bit of Czech years ago when visiting and it has 7 cases, but I think Russian has even more. Thankfully I knew German so at least I was not unfamiliar with this grammatical difficulty.
Your government is hilarious. We had a demented moron leading the American government for four years, but you've managed to find someone with even less mental capacity to lead yours. Of course, hijinks ensue.
I really like the red pillbox hats on the constitutional justices. Frauke will look great in one of those!
Its impressive how you're able to maintain a sense of humor while governed by morons. I really enjoy your writing style. Reminds me of the old adage, if you don't laugh you'll cry. Plus it has the added benefit of being the most effective way to combat strident ideologues.
So sorry Eugy for the Merz misfeasance that is creating such chaos in Germany. Many folks point to us here in the U.S. as being in a constant state of chaos due to Trump's presidency. But all kinds of good stuff is getting done here, especially the recent "budget reconciliation bill" (aka: the One Big Beautiful bill) signed into law on July 4th. This will prevent what would otherwise have been a massive tax increase for everyone - by default - on January 1, 2026.
Merz is an utter clown, and everytime I see a picture of him I have to chuckle: stupidity and ineptness written all over his face, combined with resentment and awkwardness. I grew up in the eighties and at school we had these odd jacket wearers, aged fifteen, "conservative" but eager to gain favor with teachers and cooler leftist kids alike. Merz is the eternal JU (youth party wing of the CDU) member or chairman, or RCDS guy; he never grew out of it (Merkel didn't let him). So now we have this inept clown, who, as the good Vosgerau put it, is just happy to hear in the evening news his name combined with "chancellor". He wants to show himself as a tough guy, which makes it worse, because he isn't one at all, and this type of guy is truely dangerous becaus he want's to show himself ("Yes"). Would be funny if it were not about my home country.
Trump is weird in his own way, but you have to give it to him that he has way more stamina than our continental polit-clowns. At the least he is (over-) selfconfident, a thing you cannot say about our Merz (who is not selfconfident but seems to have a ridiculously high opinion of himself nonetheless).
eugyppius, no matter how many times you attempt to explain German politics and despite your high level of skill as a communicator, I usually wind up more confused at the end. Perhaps this is the point of the German political system?
Germany however fits neatly into the common theme of current Western "democracies" (shorthand for a system that purports to have government serving will of its sovereign citizens). Although the vast majority of the citizenry all want the same things (safe streets, competent infrastructure, decent public schools, peaceful relations with other countries), this is never delivered. Ever.
One of two conclusions must be true: (1) either "democracy" does not work; or (2) these systems are not actually "democracies," but systems that have been completely captured by other forces. I suspect the latter.
The purpose of a system is what it does. Democracy is working exactly as intended, a front for the money power of the day that gives a population the illusion that they have a say in the direction of government.
I take the (apocryphal?) Lincoln precept, “You can fool most of the people some of the time,” and based on current observation, particularly since the deracination of education, and the extension of the franchise to all who ingest oxygen (besides those who no longer do, but still count as registered voters), and extend it to, “You can fool most of the people *all* of the time.”
This is why democracy and demagoguery are closely related words, neither having a sterling reputation in the past 2300 years.
I'm of the same opinion.
Been following E. 'for 4+ years, and still don't understand German politics...
Sorta like peeling an onion...there's yet another layer...
I don't understand German politics either. I don't care, Eugyppius is an interesting writer.
Same, I think I'm following along and poof! I realize I don't. I'm pleased I'm not the only one, a consolation prize.
Sorry, E, it's likely because we can't wrap our heads beyond a 2 party system...good guys and bad guys....the KISS method😙(keep it simple, stupid).
Isn't this sort of thing always possible in a parliamentary system? But in Germany none of the parties is big enough to govern on its own, so there are always such deals going on. In the UK the Tories or Labor would have an absolute majority -- but now with the Reform party that may change. And in the US it was Dems or Republicans, but Musk's America party may throw in a wrench. Germany has a lot of little parties.
I think, based on current nomenclature, they identify as democracies.
If they actually delivered what the people wanted, how would they stay in power by promising to deliver?
Both of those could be true. This link came from Soban the Stranger. As an American, I was raised to think that democracy is The Best Shiniest Thing Ever, despite the fact that some of the Founding Fathers were doubtful. There are some interesting points brought out in the article In Praise of Passivity https://spot.colorado.edu/~huemer/papers/passivity.htm
Good point.
The World Socialist Website has an interesting take on Germany under Merz and on the Greens:
Excerpts
"Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) used his speech in the general debate to beat the war drums against Russia. He denounced the Russian government as a “criminal regime” that was “on its way to destroying the political freedom order of the entire European continent.” Merz declared: “The tools of diplomacy have been exhausted.”
That is a barely veiled declaration of war. First, the German government deliberately provoked Russia’s reactionary invasion of Ukraine, then systematically escalated the conflict and torpedoed any diplomatic solutions in order to use it today as a pretext to prepare for a comprehensive war against Russia. That is the purpose of the rearmament madness debated in the Bundestag over recent days.
The sheer figures alone show that this is not about defence, but about an aggressive war policy. In 2024, NATO defence budgets amounted to US $1.5 trillion, constituting 55 percent of global military expenditure—10 times what Russia spends. Now, NATO has decreed that spending must rise to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. That would equate to roughly US$2.5 trillion—17 times the Russian and eight times the Chinese military budgets.
Germany is not merely complying with NATO’s orders; it is the driving force behind this madness. While many countries will struggle to reach the 5 percent goal by 2035, Germany intends to hit 3.5 percent in pure military expenditure and 1.5 percent for additional war preparedness within three years. The current draft budget allocates €86 billion in total. The defence budget alone will increase by €10 million. By 2029, the total is set to exceed €150 billion—surpassing Russia’s current military budget.
Germany, which in 2024 had the world’s fourth‑largest defence expenditure, would, with these figures, have by far the largest NATO army in Europe. The combined current budgets of the nuclear powers France and the UK do not reach this level. These figures underpin Merz’s self‑appointed role as Europe’s leader.
He declared in parliament: “I am taking on the leadership responsibility that in my understanding, a German chancellor must assume—one that Europe expects of us. Together with the foreign minister and defence minister, we have taken on such leadership responsibility within NATO.”
This utterly unhinged horror scenario of a Russian invasion that must allegedly be repelled under German leadership evokes the darkest chapters of German history. On December 11, 1941, Hitler legitimised war against America by invoking the same narrative:
“From month to month more, already in 1940, the realisation grew that the plans of the men in the Kremlin deliberately aimed at the domination and thus the destruction of all Europe,” proclaimed the Führer. Under such conditions, “Germany today is not fighting for itself, but for our entire continent. And it is a fortunate sign that that realisation is so deeply rooted in the unconscious of most European peoples that, whether through open declaration or through the influx of volunteers, they participate in this struggle.”
By then, Hitler had already occupied a large part of Europe and made it clear what was meant by German leadership in Europe. It was about the aggressive enforcement of German economic interests through terror. Four years later, Europe lay in ruins. The demand for German leadership in Europe brings back the worst memories of the greatest crimes in human history and is synonymous with fear and terror."
"The Greens differ little in their militaristic rhetoric from the AfD. When they criticise the government, it is only on the grounds that rearmament is not proceeding quickly enough. “What is needed is not lamenting the Trump administration, not whitewashing, not coalition squabbles—but a clear, action‑backed message to the war criminals in the Kremlin: Do not dare to attack our democracy, our freedom—in Ukraine, in the Baltic states, and certainly not here in our country!” declared Agnieszka Brugger, deputy spokesperson for the Greens’ parliamentary group."
In German budget debate, Merz threatens Russia with war and declares himself leader of Europe - World Socialist Web Site
https://share.google/4YuOWXEgLOMKSTngV
It’s incredible the blind spot people, even (maybe especially) conservatives, have for the never ending promotion of war and military buildup. Any threat to European countries stems from their own governance, not marauding Russians.
Meanwhile, we pour trillions into the MIC for things that we should not even be using on each other. This is crazy. If we put half of that into infrastructure projects, the world we so much better.
(2) is the correct answer from my outsider's perspective.
Fantastic comment. Bravo.
The most difficult thing to accept these recent years is the realization that everything is captured. By money and other forces that do not have our best interests at heart.
We’re seeing a lot of this in Europe where the powers that be simply override the systems in place to get the result they desire. It’s blatant, harmful and reprehensible.
Nice comments.
The capture was done decades ago. The WEF is obivious these days about it's goals and democracy ain't one of them.
Pat yourself on the back for being a dullard
Pat yourself on the back for being a prick
@eugyppius are you not worried about the German narrative police coming for you? From what you have written before, even a humorous meme is criminal.
I gotta feeling E has a bug out bag
The running gag in German dissident spheres is that anyone serious should own a nice bath robe
We are still winning in unexpected ways here in the USA. Our own Humorous Meme Martyr was just unexpectedly exonerated.
https://notthebee.com/article/appeals-court-tosses-conviction-of-douglas-mackey-for-memes-encouraging-people-to-text-to-vote/
That is why, if he flies too near to the sun, a disclaimer is made 'I distance myself from xxxx'.
Bit like the UTube docs who have to make statements like; 'The CDC say the vaccine (sic) is safe and effective', while the entire content of their show describes never before heard horrors about the lethal genetic bioweapon. If they did not, they would lose their utube channel.
Or the scientists who make a paper showing some of the gazzillion diseases that are being caused by the jab, but have to waffle in the conclusion, and many even say 'the benefits outweigh the risks.'. If they did not, the paper would not get published.
And, as crazy as German social media patrolling is, the punishments are far less than the UK, where you can end up behind bars for years.
Not to mention all the lovely chemicals ☠️we breath, eat and drink. The shots just added to the crowds in the medical institutions. Long term patients is much more profitable than death.
They hate us.
I was a fraud auditor. Although many are easily bought by shiny objects, it's more complex. People seek power, prestige, fame and fortune. My observation is that it's an outsized sense of self called pride. They are mentally unwell and spiritually bankrupt and the Western culture breeds selfishness and lack of accountability/justice.
Keep in mind, there is a little bit of Judas Iscariot in all of us and we can feed or starve this monster as we choose. None of us, not a single one, have been able to master all our passions.
The powers that be know who he is. He already described a previous run in. I think, though, he has some powerful buddies. Unlike the normies, I think he would get amazing legal counsel and it might even turn into a political brouhaha. So, they are not bothering him, for now.
Really? I had not heard about that.
Remember when he described an American man just being at the front of his house, surreptitiously? That was during Biden. These agencies all help each other so they don’t do the search themselves…
I don't remember that. Whenever a new eugy post comes in, I drop everything and read it right away, although I must have missed that one.
I think it wasn’t in his post, it was an answer to someone else in the comments.
Oh, they're probably not THAT illiterate, but it's trivially easy to hide one's IP address when posting (use a VPN or TOR). Moreover, I would hope that Substack would protect an author's privacy from foreign doxing demands.
That doesn't mean some tech nerd genius on the opposite political side won't dox someone they don't like.
'they pledge to avoid all AfD votes like the fascist plague that they are'
I know I've asked this before, and if it was answered, it didn't stick in my tiny micro-animal micro brain.
Just exactly how do they 'avoid' AFD votes—what is the procedural mechanism? Can they just...throw them out? What if AFD members vote the same way out of spite?
Inquiring minds want to know…
Yes, so they can't achieve any legislative outcome with AfD support. So, if AfD votes for a thing but it would've happened anyway (i.e., the majority without the AfD was already there), then it's allowed. In practice this means you have to count votes very carefully, to avoid accidentally winning with AfD.
Micro brain here. Does this mean they would have to tell some of their own people to vote against their own thing because otherwise it might win because some AfD people might vote for it?
in certain situations that might happen, but generally they manage this by manipulating the agenda and trying to ensure that the only votes that happen are the ones for which the necessary 'democratic' majorities have already been secured.
And politicians wonder why people hate them 😐
It *seems* that way but in reality is just retarded. Mean girls are way more sophisticated (and more interested in self preservation) than these clowns.
It really is. That's why some of the people in other parties(like Merz) doesn't even greet people from the AfD when he runs into them in the Bundestag. These people are worse than children
"Inquiring minds" have been made illegal.
Firewalls do not belong in a real democracy. The firewall against the AfD effectively disenfranchises almost a third of the German voters. It gags their voice, makes them politically impotent, and laughs at the idea of compromise. Nothing good will come of this. It turns German politics into a frustrating, artificial, construct.
And partisan judges are poison. Their specific decisions can do irreparable damage; while undermining the general rule of law. Activists and ideologues should not be judges, especially at the highest levels.
When the previous administration ended, the Bundestag actually voted to stop voting so as to avoid accidentally creating a majority with the help of the AfD. Yes, that was the official reason given.
The cartel parties have realized that the process to outlaw the AfD would take a long time and probably fail in the end, so they have decided in the meantime to just pretend that they are already outlawed. For example, in one SPD-led state they announced that no AfD member will be eligible for public service anymore. Ironically they try to keep out enemies of the constitution by doing something blatantly unconstitutional.
The attempt to install two communists in the constitutional court is meant to build a chamber of the court hand-tailored to rule in favor of outlawing the AfD, but as I said, this will take some time, so until then everyone just treats the AfD as already outlawed.
In the meantime, the disaffection created by these crazy policies will drive even more people into the arms of populist parties like AfD. At a certain point something's got to give. Amazing they can't see that.
You've bounced back from your bed of pain in glorious form.
Competence is no longer a requirement. The opposite is.
Sir Queer Stormtruper, TRumpelstiltskin, Schmerz, Mellons, Micron, Pustula Van der Lyen etc. are all perfect DEI hires.
They all have the evil qualities found in the Fairy Tales of the sinister Brothers Grimm.
" .. a completely incompetent moron named Friedrich Merz ..." You are a master of understatement, Eugyppius. Merz is a lot worse than that. He even makes Merkel look kind of clever.
No clown costume would befit these people. Thankfully you can put it in a joking way, otherwise, it seems like melodrama. How could these people be bank directors, judges, lawyers? They seem to be completely lost as to what is really important in the country. Your electricity net soon to be overrated, disowning farmers and endangering the food supply, and giving all the money to a foreign lost war. I cannot but agree with Phil Davis. Be very careful. The govt did not hesitate to arrest Fuelmilch and even people who told a joke, and now the Netherlands are doing the same, as is the UK. Soon Russia will be the free country to go to. Sad my head cannot learn the language, probably too full with other crap.
"How could these people be bank directors, judges, lawyers?"
Journalists, teachers, doctors, and scientists have done yeoman's work recently in revealing to us that our automatic respect for professionalism is seriously unearned. Realize that the syndrome extends across other professions as well.
As they say, chances are 50/50 that a <provider of any service> graduated in the bottom half of his class.
and even that might not be bad if they are a good person willing to help others! A doctor graduating first of class can be a crook playing along with pharma to harm and kill. It are sadly enough, the lawyers who now seem to know more about healthcare than doctors, and I don't trust any school teacher. I remember the completely useless girl giving a test lesson and enthusiastically saying that yes, she wanted to teach, whereas the one who delivered a flawless lesson, had already decided to move away from education.
There is a reason that "Ralph Wiggum 'helping'" is a popular meme.
'and even that might not be bad if they are a good person willing to help others!'
Beware good intentions. The road to hell, etc.
After all this, I still believe there might be something good in almost everyone - I will make a few exceptions though.
Here you go:
https://farm-in-russia.ru/
You can apply and get your download per email.
thanks ! Not sure if it will ever come this far, but I will keep the information. I am starting tonight again, to learn the alphabet !
To channel Ronald Reagan, it's not so much the letters that you don't know, it's the letters you think you already know but aren't at all the same.
yes I know - it is a difficult language. I learned a bit of Czech years ago when visiting and it has 7 cases, but I think Russian has even more. Thankfully I knew German so at least I was not unfamiliar with this grammatical difficulty.
"To really perfect this failure, Merz and his troupe of pink leotard-sporting circus acrobats needed to mess up one more time.'
Friedrich Merz and David Hogg: Separated At Birth?
I was imagining that ugly man in a pink leotard. I hope that picture soon disappears...
Even Hugo Boss can't save Schmerz.
Best opeing paragrah in ages. Give yourself a bonus.
> This man is an unforced error factory
Mmmmmmm, there's the Eugy hit I've been craving...
Your government is hilarious. We had a demented moron leading the American government for four years, but you've managed to find someone with even less mental capacity to lead yours. Of course, hijinks ensue.
I really like the red pillbox hats on the constitutional justices. Frauke will look great in one of those!
Merz may be an idiot like you say, but from that picture, there's no denying his devilish charm! Lol
Its impressive how you're able to maintain a sense of humor while governed by morons. I really enjoy your writing style. Reminds me of the old adage, if you don't laugh you'll cry. Plus it has the added benefit of being the most effective way to combat strident ideologues.
Overheard conversation many, many years ago in German airport lounge (nothing to do with your piece, but applicable to it):
A: "Do you have to be a complete economic idiot to work for this company?"
B: "No, you only have to be a complete idiot".
It works better in the original German.
So sorry Eugy for the Merz misfeasance that is creating such chaos in Germany. Many folks point to us here in the U.S. as being in a constant state of chaos due to Trump's presidency. But all kinds of good stuff is getting done here, especially the recent "budget reconciliation bill" (aka: the One Big Beautiful bill) signed into law on July 4th. This will prevent what would otherwise have been a massive tax increase for everyone - by default - on January 1, 2026.
Merz is an utter clown, and everytime I see a picture of him I have to chuckle: stupidity and ineptness written all over his face, combined with resentment and awkwardness. I grew up in the eighties and at school we had these odd jacket wearers, aged fifteen, "conservative" but eager to gain favor with teachers and cooler leftist kids alike. Merz is the eternal JU (youth party wing of the CDU) member or chairman, or RCDS guy; he never grew out of it (Merkel didn't let him). So now we have this inept clown, who, as the good Vosgerau put it, is just happy to hear in the evening news his name combined with "chancellor". He wants to show himself as a tough guy, which makes it worse, because he isn't one at all, and this type of guy is truely dangerous becaus he want's to show himself ("Yes"). Would be funny if it were not about my home country.
Trump is weird in his own way, but you have to give it to him that he has way more stamina than our continental polit-clowns. At the least he is (over-) selfconfident, a thing you cannot say about our Merz (who is not selfconfident but seems to have a ridiculously high opinion of himself nonetheless).