Steinbrück is a staunch follower of the economic-liberal line within the SPD, a hardcore Third Wayist. Back when he was PM of Northrhine Westphalia, in a display of US-style bipartisanship, he used to co-write a position paper advocating 'reforms' with Hessen's infamous CDU PM Koch: the "Koch-Steinbrück paper". It was repeatedly brought up until recently as a blueprint for 'pragmatic' reforms.
One of the "economic wisemen" of Germany (this is an official government adviser position; these economists also tended to advocate 'reforms') played a similar tune.
None the less, that Steinbrück and Merkel feel the need for such outspoken burial of Anglo 'Turbokapitalismus' (fearing voter loss to the Left Party) speaks volumes about the current situation, the current feeling among the powers-that-be. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
'Reform' always was focused strongly on the labour market and entitlements. All losses of the current banking crisis in Germany were the result of securitisation products with their undelying assets in foreign countries. That is on what Merkel and Steinbrueck focus, and on what they have started to make suggestions, how to tackle that problem. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
Of course I think it is strongly off base, to focus the federal election campaign on education, as this should be solely an issue for lower level elections, but the CDU obviously has given up any resistance against the 'Gleichschaltung' of the children in this country. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
In the further text is mentioned, that in common speech it was casually used to describe the events in Soviet zone of influence, and in anti-Soviet propaganda literature. So it is not exclusivly used to describe events during the Nazi time. Given the gazillion explicit Nazi comparisons in the web, and the literally match of the explaination, what it means, with what I intend to say, I think it is OK to use such a term in an internet blog comment. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
Of course it adds not to any argument, but is an expression of opinion. This opinion has only indirect something to do with the centralisation on the federal level, but more with the general direction of school politics in Germany. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
It is, in (academic?) English. A vivid image of what should exist acts as a surrogate for reality. Pursuit of the image then prevents pursuit of the reality -- John K. Galbraith
Yes, I agree it's very vague, but that's Merkel 's art. But given the context: her blocking the calls for more conservatism and marketism at the executive body meeting, I don't think it is as meaningless/meaning-what-the-listener-wants as you imply. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Huh! *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
I find it very disappointing, that the CDU is willing to sell out its core constituency seemingly on nearly all issues. But for staying in power, it is obviously the best thing for them. Losing freedom voters to the FDP won't change that the CDU will get more votes than the SPD, and for a black-yellow coalition the votes would not be lost. Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
I of course have very different feelings about this, but I agree this is a selling-out of the core constituency paralleling what the SPD did under Schröder. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
