ONE OF THE (MANY) PROBLEMS WITH THE TANENHAUS THESIS...:

Germany's Free Democrats endorse government coalition deal (Monsters & Critics, Oct 25, 2009)

The pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Sunday endorsed a coalition deal designed to let them govern Germany in a conservative government led by Chancellor Angela Merkel for the next four years. [...]

Merkel said her new government would concentrate on spurring growth in Europe's biggest economy, which has recently shown signs of emerging from its worst recession in 60 years.

Key points are 24 billion euros (36 billion dollars) in tax cuts, some which will come into force next year, increased family benefits and an overhaul of health care funding.

There was also agreement to prolong the life of nuclear reactors due to be phased out by 2020, a move which overturns a policy adhered to by Merkel's previous coalition with the left-of-centre Social Democrats.

...is that America is virtually never a Left outlier and the rest of our allies are moving Right.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 26, 2009 5:59 AM