Germany as the Next World Superpower

Germany and France Want Portugal to Accept Aid: Report

January 8, 2011

Reuters – Germany and France want Portugal to accept an international bailout as soon as possible in order to prevent its debt crisis spreading to other countries, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday.

Without citing its sources, the magazine said government experts from both European heavyweights were concerned Lisbon will soon not be able to finance its debt at reasonable rates, after its borrowing costs rose at the end of last year.

Berlin and Paris also want euro zone countries to publicly commit to do whatever it takes to protect the bloc's single currency, including topping up a 750 billion euro ($968 billion) rescue fund if necessary.

Portugal is viewed by many economists as the peripheral euro zone country that is most likely to follow Ireland and Greece to seek an international bailout as it grapples to cut its debts and borrowing costs. It holds its first bond auction of the year next week.

Paris and Berlin Offer a Vision for EU Stability

June 15, 2010

euronews - France and Germany have laid out their joint vision of how to fix the European economy amid the worst financial crisis for decades.

Paris dropped its proposal to create a new eurozone body to coordinate fiscal policy, accepting Berlin’s stance that all 27 EU members should be included.

President Nicolas Sarkozy and Chancellor Angela Merkel outlined what they hoped stronger economic government would consist of.

The French president said:

“The markets, speculators, which are of course not the same thing, can react within a millionth of second…our procedure must be more efficient and more pragmatic. This entails economic government for the EU-27 and, when required, eurozone meetings to discuss the problems with the euro.”

Chancellor Angela Merkel added:

“We agreed that we also might to think of changing the treaties, Germany and France will make proposals on that soon, and one thing could be the withdrawal of voting rights for countries which notoriously violate the deficit criteria, that is something that seems to be important to us, because we need here treaties with teeth in order to enforce a culture of stability and growth.”

Merkel’s insistence for tough sanctions is a nod to Greece’s fiscal woes.

As the two leaders spoke, it emerged that the Moody’s rating agency had downgraded Greek government bonds four notches to “junk” status.

Tucson Rampage Casts Light on Toxic Political Tone

January 9, 2011

Comment by Setsuna F Seiei - Characteristics of the regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia), and Pinochet (Chile):

Powerful and Continuing Nationalism under the Guise of Patriotism

-Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.

Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause

-The people are rallied into a unifying nationalistic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.

Obsession with National Security

-Fear and jingoism is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.

Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights

-Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.

Supremacy of the Military

-The military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding,and the domestic agenda is neglected, mostly due in part to "military industrial complex".

Corporate Power is Protected

-The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.

Obsession with Crime and Punishment

-Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. They are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of nationalism.

Controlled Mass Media

-The media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.

Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts

-Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested.

Religion and Government are Intertwined

-Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders.

Rampant Sexism

-Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Opposition to abortion is high, as is homophobia and anti-gay legislation.

Rampant Cronyism and Corruption

-Governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

Labor Power is Suppressed

-Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely or are severely suppressed.accountability.

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