Schleswig-Holstein state election

[Notre Dame rules!]

I thought that Lewis had said that the CDU had fallen on hard times.  Doing as well as they did, especially in the North of Germany, doesn't sound too bad to me. 

Rock on CDU!

[Notre Dame rules!]

Does it appear that the SPD's falling polling numbers came as a result of rising unemployment, or was unemployment not much of a factor in the S-H election?  Also, what is the unemployment rate in NR-W?

[Notre Dame rules!]

I recently heard that Schroeder said that he has done all he can about the unemployment situation.  If he did in fact say something to that effect, then the CDU/CSU can begin beating him about the head with such a stupid remark.

By European standards, the BW numbers aren't too bad, but the rest are terrible. 

Schroeder could find himself in real trouble, and I can't say that wouldn't make my day.   

[Notre Dame rules!]

I heard on Deutsche Welle that unemployment is up again.  This can't be good news for the SPD going into the NR-W elections.

[Notre Dame rules!]

It looks like President Kohler (sp) has proposed a very Bush-like solution for Germany's economic problems--lower taxes for both taxpayers and businesses.

Let's hope for Germany's sake that the SPD heeds his advice.

Let's hope for the CDU's chances next year, that Schroeder remains pig-headed and pursues the big government solution.

[Notre Dame rules!]

Grand coalitions have occasionally worked in the past though, haven't they?

[Notre Dame rules!]

What is the effective tax rate in Germany?  I saw something on TV the other day that said a worker making 45 Euros per hour, has a take home rate of 9 Euros per hour.    That seems like an exceedingly high tax rate, even if it is federal,state, and local.   Is this accurate?

[Notre Dame rules!]

Looks like good news for the CDU, which is good news indeed!