Germans Call on Leaders to be More American
Celebrities, columnists, ordinary citizens and even some politicians have joined the chorus of calls for less talk and more action to get Germany moving again after years of economic stagnation and political standstill. "... Germany urgently needs something Schwarzenegger-like: a can-do spirit, unconventional thinking, courage, strength and vision. We're facing the worst crisis since the war,'' [Peter Boenisch, a former government spokesman and newspaper editor] wrote. ...''The dissatisfaction is growing every day,'' [Manfred Guellner, managing director of the Forsa polling institute ] told Reuters. ''Germany and Europe are ripe for the same sort of phenomenon. People feel they're being messed with. They want simple language and simple remedies.'' ''People want to be entertained and not bothered with problems,'' wrote the liberal Sueddeutsche Zeitung. ''People want a strong leader.''
They're ripe for another easy-answer-man. 1922 recapitulated - fears of globalization/"internationalism"; rising anti-Semitism; economic upheaval; communists... "Socialist Workers to the white courtesy telephone, please." All that's needed is for the French to march into Berlin. We *do* live in interesting times . . .
Next entry: Rush With Dignity
Previous entry: The Council Has Spoken ! !
