Next German Economics Minister Is A Fool

Sigmar Gabriel

According to press reports (e.g. here) is going to be the next German minister of the economy (Bundeswirtschaftsminister). He is currently the chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

I previously blogged about him here. He is a typical lifelong career politician and opportunist. His intellectual competency is in doubt. He studied German language, politics, and sociology. Then, he became a civil servant as a teacher, before he started his political career. His curriculum vita is not impressive. He claims to be the representative of the little guy (e.g. proponent of high minimum wages for everyone).

The Good News

The ministry of the economy has been largely a ceremonial office/ministry for decades. E.g. the ministry of finance has much more authority. Thus, this man is hopefully prevented from doing much harm.

However, he will be sitting in every cabinet meeting wielding his influence.

Another New Federal Minister

The quality of government suffers when too many dull knifes are assembled. Merkel’s cabinet is already burdened with the dim witted Ms. Ursula von Leyen and others.

I recently blogged about Ms. Manuela Schwesig, the designated, new incoming family and women minister, here.

Conclusion

Germany has way too many lifelong career politicians. This is unhealthy and not representative.

German SPD Revives Gleichschaltung Through Entgeltgleichheitsgesetz

Germans Were Not Defeated By Romans

What happened to the freedom loving Germans of Roman times as, e.g. described by Tacitus in Germania? The Romans could not defeat the Germans, but the SPD and CDU have accomplished it.

Germany Has A Young Unsavory Tradition

Gleichschaltung was a Nazi policy of totalitarian control and coordination of many aspects of social life in Germany. The word means something like enforced conformity. Federalism implemented after World War II is weak compared to the US or Switzerland.

The German word “Entgeltgleichheitsgesetz” is not only a tongue twister even for native speakers, but it is also an Ungetüm (monstrosity).

The SPD Is A Big Government Party

Now the federal parliamentary SPD just introduced a new law (Entgeltgleichheitsgesetz) to enforce equal pay for equal work for women. Employers with 15 or more employees will be forced to report on a regular basis about differences in remuneration of men and women. This is a nonsensical burden on enterprises. Differences in pay between the sexes are stereotypically decried as an injustice.

If there is a suspicion of wage discrimination against an employer, this employer will be forced to more detailed reporting and to reveal data to external auditors etc.

According to the SPD press release this law would also aim to lift minimum wages in Germany.

The head of the SPD, Sigmar Gabriel, defended this law in parliament saying only the government could achieve gender equality. He seems to be a cheap populist.

Germany’s Gender Equality Officer

Germany already has a so called Gleichstellungsbeauftragte (gender equality officer) at since 2001 to be appointed by employer of 100 or more employees (private and public). The Gleichstellungsbeauftragte has to be female and can only be elected by female employees. Wonderful Orwellian!

Socialism is dead, long live Socialism!

Why do Germans allow this horror and other horrors to continue and expand!