July 11, 2005
CONTRACT WITH AMERICA, NOW AVAILABLE IN DEUTSCHE:
Germans craft pro-U.S. agenda to oust Schroeder (STEPHEN GRAHAM, 7/11/05, Chicago Sun-Times)
Germany's opposition aims to oust Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with a program to boost Europe's largest economy and "reinvigorate" relations with the United States, according to a draft obtained Sunday by the Associated Press.The program, to be formally endorsed today by the Christian Democratic Union and its Bavarian sister party, includes an increase in sales tax and looser rules for companies to hire and fire staff. It also rules out Turkish membership in the European Union.
The parties are also trying to win back voters by invoking Germany's strained relations with Washington. Schroeder ran for re-election in 2002 on a platform opposing the U.S.-led war in Iraq, and Bush pointedly refused to offer the traditional congratulations to him on his victory.
Just make sure you promise not to tamper with the welafre state in any way, shape, or form. Posted by Orrin Judd at July 11, 2005 2:42 PM
It's wise to keep options available for when the wolves arrive.
Posted by: Luciferous at July 11, 2005 5:08 PMMaybe I'm missing something here, but if your economy is in the doldrums, why would you increase the sales tax?
Posted by: bart at July 11, 2005 8:15 PM