Their economies are destined to fail because of their outrageously excessive welfare states, plus the high value of the Euro is now killing their exports.
"Germany's unemployment rate hit 12.7% last month, and France's unemployment rate remained at 10.1%, both staggering numbers for Europe's two largest economies. These jobless figures, coupled with rising fuel and labor costs, are starting to take a political toll on Germany's Gerhard Schroeder and France's Jacque Chirac. Chirac appears to be in more immediate political trouble due to the upcoming vote in France in May to ratify the proposed EU constitution. Several months ago a clear majority of French voters supported the referendum, but due to the continuing economic slide recent polls now show a slight majority are against it. Chirac has been the most visible and vocal supporter of a strong united Europe (under French and German dominance), a Europe he says could challenge the "hyperpower" of the United States. But, if French voters reject the referendum, this could prove detrimental to Chirac's standing in his own country (his approval ratings are already plunging), in Europe, and the world."
"Schroeder and Chirac in Political Trouble"
GOOD! Gerhard Schroeder and France's Jacque Chirac may not be feeling quite so snobbish any more.
Yet people here bitch about a 5.2% unemployment rate..
Their STATE RUN media apparatus will run some story days before the elections about how Schroeder-Chirac are against German or French involvement in 'Timbuktu'. They’ll state the hegemony US and its imperialistic savage quest for oil will not be supported by the moral multilateral cultured Europeans (Because they speak for ALL of Europe). They’ll say the US is just diverting attention from the horrible economic situation within its nation (No $hit, he did that in 2002 and the Germans believed him!).
Really- the Germans/French are socialists and “want” to believe the message these guys put out even though EVERYTHING speaks against it. Their media is largely state run and will support the agenda they push. The masses see themselves as intellectual but are largely socialist regional thinkers, with little long-term vision (At least the populace).
You have a SPD/Green socialist America hater (68er peacenik Schroeder/Fischer) in Germany, and a national-socialist in France (Chirac). Scary combo! But they work together because presently they have too. They mass their power to bully others in the EU and to politically-legitimize each other in the publics view. Long term Schroeder and Chirac will do more harm to the EU than good. They are viewed as the hero’s of Europe (Only in their public’s eyes) temporarily but will spread discontent to the former east block, southern Europe, and elsewhere. Besides destroying their respective economies with socialist command driven economies (46% of German GDP is state) they HAVE damaged NATO, will undermine the EU (That which they state to be the champion of), damaged the trans Atlantic friendship, hurt the Iraqi People all for electoral national politics. Getting elected for Schroeder in 2002 was a no holds barred event. The consequences later were not thought through on that day when Schroeder during the election campaign made his (multilateral) anti-war statement without consultation of his party, advisors, cabinet, or allies.
Germany and France are going downhill all awhile there is huge growth in Asia, North America and elsewhere. Markets are solid and strong! They are suffering from structural/design problems in their economies. They are sick, ridden with an ideological disease that is destroying them. But the real issues plaguing them are not being dealt with. They don't want too!
"But they get free health care and have 4 day work weeks." LMAO!