Why Germany Has It So Good...

[piezoe]

Quote from JoePaterno:

The US is far and away the largest manufacturer on Earth, almost twice as large as China.

Per capita, Germany is by far the world's largest exporter. While the total goods (agricultural plus manufactured) exported by Germany and the US are comparable (~1.4 trillion/Yr versus ~1.8 trillion per year for the US) the German population is only one-fifth that of the US. In spite of this large population difference, Germany is the world's largest exporter of manufactured goods.

Germany has been running a trade surplus of 0.24 Trillion/ Yr. The US has a trade deficit of about 0.70 Trillion/Yr.

 

[Rearden Metal]

EMR makes a great point. To clarify/summarize: Germany's strength is not attributable to the structure of the German government, but rather to the basic nature of the German people: <b>They love to follow the rules.</b> Instead of looking for ways to scam the system, they engage in productive work. Instead of putting their efforts into identity theft, violent crime, meth labs, shady new structured financial products or mortgage fraud, German people prefer to engage in productive activities instead.

It's not the nature of government in Germany that makes them strong and productive- it's the nature of the people.

 

[[Proximo]]

No they don't (regarding the class comment).

Invading Iraq and causing the death of ~ 600,000 to 1,000,000 civilians is not very classy either.

For what? So some US corporations can get a few contracts? What if that was you and your family living there?

Quote from SWScapital:

All that proper schooling and upbringing and you sound like a piece of trash. Money and schooling certainly dont guarantee class do they?

 

[piezoe]

Quote from EMRGLOBAL:

Cooperation, some collective colaboracion is healthy.
______________________________________________________

I agree, we are intradependent in business. Cooperation is a good thing. Collective ideas are good. But Collective Free loading, as in the Immigration situation in Germany is not good.

I work for my self, I can take 6 months vacation if I want. However, I pay the price. 6 week vacation on the "Companies" dime only makes sense if the workers are productive and profits are rocking.

ONLY FREE LOADERS expect 6 weeks paid vacation without accountablity.

Why don't you look at FRANCE, GREECE....they are the FREE LOADERS who get 6 week paid vacation and all kinds of social services...and those countries are in riots as I SPEAK, due to cut backs.

So, if you think GERMANY is strong because of 6 weeks paid vacation, I bet you are the same person/people that voted for OBAMA...because you are fools.

Germany is Strong because of her Manufacturing Base and her "Banking" system. However, she took on a huge risk buying Junk Bonds for Greece. And she is having issues of her own...

Germany is one of the only Strong Members of the ECU. However, she is being punished by the "FREE LOADERS" with in the ECU who have paid 6 week vacations, free health care, yada yada yada.

If the ECU does not get act her together, it will bring down GERMANY or Germany will default back to her own Nation State with her own currency. The move has already started with the Push for stronger Immigration rules and no Tollernce for Illegal Immigration. "MULTICULTRALISM" has failed in Germany.

With regard to health care there are two issues, one is access to a reasonable level of care. (although technically everyone in the US has access, having to go to an emergency room for routine care is probably not a reasonable level of care.) The other issue is cost. The cost of care in the EU is significantly lower than in the US.

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Quote from peilthetraveler:

Germany is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment and benefits from a highly skilled labor force.

Meanwhile the only thing the US makes are treasury bills and unemployment checks.

Absurd grass-is-greener bellyaching.

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Quote from Bob111:

such income will be taxed at same rate in US, if you sum ALL gvt taxes. local,state and federal. and there is no six week vacation and nothing is "free" in US

US total tax burden is 28% of GDP, Germany is 36%, according to the OECD. So it looks like you are wrong.

 

[Ghost of Cutten]

Quote from dandxg:

My wife wants to move back to the EU, she is Czech. I told her with all of the economic problems and austerity the days of 4-6 of holiday may be coming to an end.

What are thoughts?


Dan

Depends on your situation. Your EU choices are high tax and a generous welfare system, but lots of bureaucracy and anti-business attitudes and laws, or low tax, no welfare system, and a bit more ease of doing business (E Europe is still incredibly bureaucratic though).

Czech Republic, like a lot of E Europe, has introduced a flat tax, and has a small welfare state. Taxes are much lower on self-employed people and business profits than the USA. It's a pretty civilised, safe country, although amenities are still below 1st world standards. So it is a fairly decent place. However, wages are low so if you are an employee then forget it. And there's the language issue, which may or may not be a problem for you. Personally I like to do extra-curricular activities and it's hard to do that when you don't speak the language fluently. Another issue is that if you are a US citizen, income over $80k will be taxed at US rates, so eliminating a lot of the benefit of a low tax system there. You can probably game it legally but that's more expense and hassle.

For W Europe - fat benefits but high taxes, so if you earn peanuts and have no moral problem with scrounging off other people's money, or are in poor health and have little savings, it could be worthwhile. If you earn a good income then forget about it unless you like paying 50-65% of your total annual profit in taxes of some kind.

My advice is stay in the USA unless you are an underpaid working joe with a European 2nd language and can't afford your health insurance.

 

[luxor]

Vacationed in Germany a couple of years ago. Loved it. Stayed at a 4-star hotel just in (formerly) east Berlin for peanuts. Was greeted with "Guten Morgen" each day by all the pretty chambermaids. Sat to drink at every corner cafe I could find.

Maybe I'll retire there some day.

 

[Optionpro007]

Quote from Rearden Metal:

EMR makes a great point. To clarify/summarize: Germany's strength is not attributable to the structure of the German government, but rather to the basic nature of the German people: <b>They love to follow the rules.</b> Instead of looking for ways to scam the system, they engage in productive work. Instead of putting their efforts into identity theft, violent crime, meth labs, shady new structured financial products or mortgage fraud, German people prefer to engage in productive activities instead.

It's not the nature of government in Germany that makes them strong and productive- it's the nature of the people.

+1

 

[Tsing Tao]

Quote from zdreg:

population of jews in germany is 200,000. you are another uneducated ET failure.

as opposed to yourself - just another uneducated failure.