Thursday
(0)Germany's hapless Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has dished out insults at the musician who penned a chart-topping song that Adriana wrote about last week, taking a crack at Germany's onerous taxes.
Well, tough luck, Gerhard. It seems the Chancellor doesn't like the fact that the crippling confiscation of German citizen's money is provoking satire as well as anger. When a politician starts bashing the comics and music makers, it is a clear sign he or she is in trouble - big trouble.
This bespeaks a political elite on the Continent of Europe that is increasingly aloof and out of touch with ordinary citizens. On one level, this is encouraging, because such arrogance usually comes before a fall from grace. However, it also suggests that if the situation is not tackled soon, the anger boiling up in Germany and elsewhere could turn ugly.
Sure, Gerhard. As logical as
assaulting someone's fist with your face
Why is there so little popular right-wing satire in Britain? Have we lost our sense of humour? Probably
Posted by Philip Chaston at December 5, 2002 09:26 PM
Philip,
Satire has always been a tool of the left in this country
Posted by David Carr at December 6, 2002 02:30 AM
David,
Satire could be an expression of libertarianism, though, and may be more readily understood by some in such a form.
Libertarianism has a moral component that would form the kernel for satire.
However, such efforts would be beyond Eurobores like myself.
Posted by Philip Chaston at December 6, 2002 06:47 AM
Actually Schröder called Brandt a "parasite" because Brandt didnt seem to mind sponging off the German taxpayer for over TEN YEARS to "study German literature". Talk about a professional student.
He does have a point about German taxation. I work there and its depressing to see how much of my salary I actually take home.
But hang on Herr Brandt. People like you are just as much a drain on Germany as people like Schröder.
Posted by Stefan Dehler at December 7, 2002 08:10 PM
Here's a motivation for getting more involved in satire: 350,000 CDs sold in one week. There ought to be some media through which libertarians can make their points readily understood to the general public and make a few euros pounds in the roess.
Posted by Alan K. Henderson at December 7, 2002 09:59 PM
That last word should be "process."
$)%*&# cheap Commie keyboard!
Posted by Alan K. Henderson at December 7, 2002 10:01 PM
I seem to remember that Britain has now overtaken Germany in the proportion of its GDP that goes to the state. Watch our growth rates trend below Germany and for the Europhiles to say that we could have German growth rates if we only joined the Euro.
Posted by Emmanuel Goldstein at December 9, 2002 05:32 PM
