A program of social devastation in Germany

[Hannah Bell]

For the last four weeks, Germany’s conservative parties—-the CDU (Christian Democratic Union), CSU (Christian Social Union) and the FDP (Free Democratic Party)-—have been negotiating...in order to form the new federal government. While all those involved agree on a right-wing program, they have been disputing how best to implement it without provoking a social explosion...

The new government under Angela Merkel (CDU) had planned to settle the government’s program last weekend...The wording of the coalition agreement was kept quite general and ornamented with numerous socially desirable decorations. Fixed procedures for executing the most devastating social cuts were devised, but these will only be implemented in one to two years, but then “imperatively” and “without alternative”— i.e., with full force.

The parties involved have thus negotiated an annual tax reduction of €20 to €25 billion, primarily benefiting the rich and corporate business... In this way, the FDP want to reduce the top rate of tax from the current 42 percent to 35 percent. In 1998, before Gerhard Schröder (SPD—Social Democratic Party) became head of government, it was set at 53 percent.

Corporations are also to be relieved of any tax burden. According to the draft coalition treaty, a tax reform for businesses will be implemented from the beginning of next year...On the other hand, state-owned municipal enterprises providing basic services for the public are to be taxed just as much as private companies. As a consequence of this “level playing field of competition,” exemption from value added tax, normally allowed to public sewerage and waste management businesses, will be repealed.

The new government intends exploiting social expenditure as its most important means of redistributing social wealth. Employers will be relieved of responsibility in this area, while the legally insured will pay more. The black-yellow (CDU/FDP) coalition is planning a radical cure for the health insurance crisis. It is canceling once and for all the principle of employers and employees each bearing half the cost of insurance contributions, and preparing the way for a two-class system of medical provision...


http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/oct2009/germ-o26.shtml


The ruling class agenda is global.

[defendandprotect]

1. I think it always has been . . . we just didn't know it --!!!

Richest man in the world at end of WWII was Chinese -- and was part of high

echelon discussions according to Fletcher Prouty . . . if I recall that correctly!

Bush, Kissinger, Eagleburger in China doing business decades ago?

[Hannah Bell]

2. this guy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._V._Soong

[defendandprotect]

3. Interesting -- but I don't recall that Fletcher Prouty ever named him . . .

and I did get the idea -- and I hold the idea even now -- that selling drugs has been

a source of wealth, including for many in our own government -- perhaps even amassing

those funds for covert government actions to suit their own interests?

That might be a little much for wiki?

[Hannah Bell]

5. more on the soongs; & yes, drugs in the mix

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:GwsPITSn3osJ:www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php%3Faz%3Dview_all%26address%3D389x4498538+soong+family+richest&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[defendandprotect]

6. Wow ... !!!! Probably is the guy FP referred to . . .

some day I'll find my journal with notes on it or scan the book quickly at the

library --

Amazing, isn't it!?

[inna]

4. They're just following "the example" in the good old US.

They probably figured that if the American people are stupid/gullible/helpless enough to put up with their corporate masters, then they can get away with the same shit in Germany and other (formerly civilized) countries.

This is depressing. :(

[JVS]

7. FDP is bad shit.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

8. Bump