I speak German since it is my second language and mother's tongue. Whatever is wrong with Germany, all of the Americans that I know here through Democrats Abroad feel like we avoid a lot of problems that we have in the US. It is cheaper to live here, I can drink safe water from my tap, groceries are way cheaper, and there is good transpo…
I speak German since it is my second language and mother's tongue. Whatever is wrong with Germany, all of the Americans that I know here through Democrats Abroad feel like we avoid a lot of problems that we have in the US. It is cheaper to live here, I can drink safe water from my tap, groceries are way cheaper, and there is good transportation access. Housing tends to be cheaper and better protected. Everyone is required to have health insurance, so the public health insurance cannot turn you down for preexisting conditions. So, for all the things wrong, it has a lot of benefits.
My daughter goes to university in a major city, and we don't pay tuition. We paid a fee of 299€ this fall. I do not have to worry about her being on her own in the city, because she has city smarts and people are not walking around carrying guns. As a parent it is a relief. She went by train to visit good friends in Vienna for the weekend. She is used to getting around independently without having to own a car. That is a plus for her, for us, and for the environment.
By the way, Ireland is great for English speakers. Also, I know a lot of expats now who do not speak the language of the country they live in well or at all, just like there are people in the US in the same situation.
Good question. Upon arrival in Berlin Trump's ambassador at the time Richard Grenell (possibly the next SecofState) stressed in an interview that one of his central objectives was the strengthening of conservative and nationalistic movements. Rightwing extremists all over Europe are salivating right now.
Aslo if you look at what Noah Berlatsky said, there have been backlashes to governments who have been in power when covid too place. Now, you can see that as a relief that people everywhere blame their leadership for the effects of covid to the economy. Desperate people often just want change.
In the meantime, the EU is not the US. There are structural things to the governments that make them less subject to take over by one party. Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia are not the majority of the EU. And, good news. Maldova staved off Russian backed aggressors.
On the other hand, the Journal of Democracy has a discussion of Backsliding Democracies, which might contradict the effects of covid on the election, and gives more credence to the idea that the media and messaging are of utmost importance in getting and keeping an illiberal leader in power.
I was saying this before the election, and by the reports of surprise of the many Trump voters for what they have now signed up for, I would say that the corporate and social media are behind what happened in the US elections.
Germany has a different media scape, and they also have different democratic institutions. We shall see if these help them to stay more democratic. Other EU countries have multiparty systems as well. We shall see if Democracy was only a temporary experiment or a more permanent one.
Sorry to be a spoilsport and a worry wort, Linda, but Trumpism will only further encourage the AfD, at a time when the Federal Government is now a weak minority one.
Interestingly, Derek (above) highlighted New Zealand, where Peter Thiel has his billionaire's redoubt.
The new German States formerly known as the DDR, make up 15% of the German population. I understand that the AfD, which won a majority, which is won 33% in 2 of these 5 new States, and came in second place in one of the States is not a sweeping mandate for them. However, I pick my cities, and hopefully you pick yours too. I am not saying there is paradise, but I know what my priorities in life are, and my daughter, who is in university does not have to pay tuition. It relives a lot of stress in life for her and for us. There are other things. We had planned this for a long time before Trump ever came to power, and have more family here than in the US at this point. The family that I do have in the US is doing well, but some are also German citizens and will be returning here latest when they die, because that is the plan for my mom and her sibling. They have already paid for it too.
I think after everyone sees how Trump's governance goes it will be a case against it.
I speak German since it is my second language and mother's tongue. Whatever is wrong with Germany, all of the Americans that I know here through Democrats Abroad feel like we avoid a lot of problems that we have in the US. It is cheaper to live here, I can drink safe water from my tap, groceries are way cheaper, and there is good transportation access. Housing tends to be cheaper and better protected. Everyone is required to have health insurance, so the public health insurance cannot turn you down for preexisting conditions. So, for all the things wrong, it has a lot of benefits.
My daughter goes to university in a major city, and we don't pay tuition. We paid a fee of 299€ this fall. I do not have to worry about her being on her own in the city, because she has city smarts and people are not walking around carrying guns. As a parent it is a relief. She went by train to visit good friends in Vienna for the weekend. She is used to getting around independently without having to own a car. That is a plus for her, for us, and for the environment.
By the way, Ireland is great for English speakers. Also, I know a lot of expats now who do not speak the language of the country they live in well or at all, just like there are people in the US in the same situation.
How long will Germany and the rest of Europe be safe, I wonder?
Good question. Upon arrival in Berlin Trump's ambassador at the time Richard Grenell (possibly the next SecofState) stressed in an interview that one of his central objectives was the strengthening of conservative and nationalistic movements. Rightwing extremists all over Europe are salivating right now.
Aslo if you look at what Noah Berlatsky said, there have been backlashes to governments who have been in power when covid too place. Now, you can see that as a relief that people everywhere blame their leadership for the effects of covid to the economy. Desperate people often just want change.
https://www.publicnotice.co/p/kamala-harris-anti-incumbent-backlash-2024
In the meantime, the EU is not the US. There are structural things to the governments that make them less subject to take over by one party. Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia are not the majority of the EU. And, good news. Maldova staved off Russian backed aggressors.
On the other hand, the Journal of Democracy has a discussion of Backsliding Democracies, which might contradict the effects of covid on the election, and gives more credence to the idea that the media and messaging are of utmost importance in getting and keeping an illiberal leader in power.
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/misunderstanding-democratic-backsliding/
I was saying this before the election, and by the reports of surprise of the many Trump voters for what they have now signed up for, I would say that the corporate and social media are behind what happened in the US elections.
Germany has a different media scape, and they also have different democratic institutions. We shall see if these help them to stay more democratic. Other EU countries have multiparty systems as well. We shall see if Democracy was only a temporary experiment or a more permanent one.
Sorry to be a spoilsport and a worry wort, Linda, but Trumpism will only further encourage the AfD, at a time when the Federal Government is now a weak minority one.
Interestingly, Derek (above) highlighted New Zealand, where Peter Thiel has his billionaire's redoubt.
The new German States formerly known as the DDR, make up 15% of the German population. I understand that the AfD, which won a majority, which is won 33% in 2 of these 5 new States, and came in second place in one of the States is not a sweeping mandate for them. However, I pick my cities, and hopefully you pick yours too. I am not saying there is paradise, but I know what my priorities in life are, and my daughter, who is in university does not have to pay tuition. It relives a lot of stress in life for her and for us. There are other things. We had planned this for a long time before Trump ever came to power, and have more family here than in the US at this point. The family that I do have in the US is doing well, but some are also German citizens and will be returning here latest when they die, because that is the plan for my mom and her sibling. They have already paid for it too.
I think after everyone sees how Trump's governance goes it will be a case against it.
I am very very glad for you and your family. really, no facetiousness at all implied.