The comment by the "German resident" is interesting and correct in some aspects, but it also betrays a typical German fixation on the USA and how they feel they are a rival, peer power even though that hasn't been the case since the 1940s.
Yes, they've had a strong industrial economy since rebuilding after the last war. But a lot of their focus and unity has drifted, which contributed to the factors mentioned by "resident".
The comment about NGOs was spot on. Dangerous organizations that answer to who knows and certainly not a part of the governments elected by peoples to enact policy and represent national interests.
Frankly, more distribution of economic muscle throughout the EU vice having the bulk concentrated in Germany has promise to be a good thing for the Union. Whether the other EU countries have enough independent leadership to make that happen is something else entirely.
Cheers--
Yes, they've had a strong industrial economy since rebuilding after the last war. But a lot of their focus and unity has drifted, which contributed to the factors mentioned by "resident".
The comment about NGOs was spot on. Dangerous organizations that answer to who knows and certainly not a part of the governments elected by peoples to enact policy and represent national interests.
Frankly, more distribution of economic muscle throughout the EU vice having the bulk concentrated in Germany has promise to be a good thing for the Union. Whether the other EU countries have enough independent leadership to make that happen is something else entirely.
Cheers--
Fire In The Hole