September 22nd, 2002. Election day in Germany. For more than 9 months Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder (SPD) was the ultimate looser in the polls. He had messed the tax reform. He had messed the reform of the retirement plan. The unemployment rates were constantly increasing. By August Germany was going through the biggest recession since 1945. Best options for the conservative Edmund Stoiber to kick the chancellor of the throne and show that he would do it better.
However, surprisingly, Schroeder won. It was a tight race, a very close call, but he still won. A conspiracy?
Our beloved Oceana has frequently criticized me for only bashing her goverment. Earlier today she has pointed out to me that Germany has many issues as well, why dont we talk about them? And then she pointed out that she in fact knew more about Germany than I do.
Well, I am a man of my word, lets discuss the politics in Germany. Oceana, share you knowledge with me, explain me why the social democrat Gerhard Schroeder still is chancellor allthough all the odds were against him. There is three major reasons, and I just dont understand. Help me!!

it's oh so quiet...

Oceana??

Great job SoulSearch...this is what we want to hear...Speak to us about your country! Most of us, well I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE most of us know our own...sure we are not perfect but hey this is the United States of America.

soulpower said:

Hell this was on CNN and MSNBC before it even hit your new stands...!

OCEANA said:

please dont use words like "us" or "we" or anything else that might lead someone to think you are representing the people at large...


these are *your* opinions..and only that...

OCEANA said:

So tell us! Speak up! Share your wisdom with us! You have said you know more about Germany than I do! You have demanded that I start a thread on my own country! Here it is and you've got nothing to say. Whats the three reasons why Schroeder won the elections? Go ahead. You gotta know, it was on CNN and MSNBC, right? Still waiting...

Actually I have NOTHING to say to you anymore as long as you have ian behind you protecting you all the time! So sad that an ignorant person like me has to make you feel so smart!

OCEANA said:

I haven't even posted on this thread, what you are talking about? I'm not protecting anyone - if you post ON TOPIC and stop dragging down the conversation and ruining it for everyone else, I'll quit bugging you. Understood?

OCEANA said:

What are you complaining about?
This thread is about Germany, you've got what you wanted.
Ian is not on this thread, and btw, he doesnt need to protect me from you, because you are no threat to me whatsoever.
Maybe you can finally explain why Schroeder was re-elected. I wanna hear it from you. And do it quick, or I will have to believe you are having brother google helping to answer this riddle.

soulpower said:

Oh enough already...what really happened with Schroeder? The suspense is killing me!

Maybe the Germans really dont want a war in Iraq. I think its cool that schroeder won again( well he did not really win,the green party won,that means the green party and the SPD can make a coalition again)
And so what if the SPD was doing bad in the polls? Polls are not real elections. The only real voting is on electionday. I am Dutch and i am defending German politics Trust me, that means a lot . lol

Janeau said:

You are pretty close bro. Okay, since Oceana has failed and has to admit that she has betrayed us about her mighty knowledge about Germany, I will give you the three reasons.

1. Bush's announcement of going to war against Iraq came in quite handy. Schroeder has made clear that Germany will not, under any circumstance, support a war against Iraq. The opposition made various, two-faced remarks about this, so Schroder clearly won that point. See thats the different between Germany and the US: In Germany you win an election by standing up for Peace. In the US you win by going to War. That shows how differnt the two countries really are.

2. The Great flood. In August, one month prior to election, the flood of the millenium came over Germany. Damage: 7 billion Dollars. Schroeder's crisis management was outstanding. The candidate didnt even regognize how serious the situation was.

3. The outstanding success of the Green party, which is the coaltion Partner of the Social Democrats. Its really why they became so strong that the coaltion still was stronger than the oposition.

Thats the three reasons. Oceana, did ya get it? I'm sure you have known this all along, but Ian kept you from posting it.

soulpower said:

Well said! both of you.

soulpower said:

I forgot the flood thing yes. That came in very handy for Schroeder

Btw, where is Oceana? anybody seen here? Is she hiding?

soulpower said:

She's busy org-noting me then blocking me from a response like a five year old!

somebody needs a lil' attention! c'mere ol' girl!

nLA said:

Yeah, I just ran into her in the chat, she tried to insult me in a PM... and then she left. Usually I'd be against bashing her, but this is the thread she has asked for and she's not even here... still waiting for her to debate with us...

soulpower said:

SoulPower,,what ever happened to that exclusive interview you were so bragging about in chat that you were suppose to have with PRINCE while he was in Germany? Journalist

I wanna live in Germany... better then this country at the present time. with the US. I would rather live anywhere else as a matter of fact.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 30 11:37:19 PST 2002 by MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld]

OCEANA said:

Prince has cancelled all interviews prior to the tour because of the negative coverage in british tabloids. I have interviewed him a couple of times before, in 1996 and 1998. I can assure you it was neither a personal reason or a failure as a journalist that prince has cancelled those interviews. So your latest attemt to discredit me here has failed like all the others.
would you now mind to FINALLY POST SOMETHING RELATED TO THE TOPIC???

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

With all due respect, if you have the legal right to live in the US, why dont you use this right to make it a better place?

soulpower said:

I did not say that I did not like it...I am just bored with it, and the way I see it no matter how hard anyone tries to fix it, nothing works. This is my opinion of course. Our country has some serious issues right now and all government cares about is trying to be every other countries babysitter and mommy all in one. Our government gets pissed when other do not agree with them or do what they want. It is a shame that Bush is doing what he is doing and I feel using 9/11 as an excuse. It seems like he is on one big witch hunt and for that I do not like the situation of the US and what is citizens have to deal with right now. I just really wish people would quit using 9/11 as excuses to do something or go after another country. We just need to let 9/11 be what is it, terrorist attacks on out country. Stop with all the conspiracy shit and all that other shit. Bush needs a reality check and I if I could I would reality check by putting my foot in his ass.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 30 11:50:14 PST 2002 by MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld]
[This message was edited Wed Oct 30 11:54:46 PST 2002 by MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld]

soulpower said:

BTW the legal right to live here is not always the greatest thing in the world.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

Bored with it? If you see that your country has many issues that need to be worked out, how can that be boring? as I said before, you have the right to live there, take advantage of that. Educate yourself, read about the weaknesses of your country, share your knowledge with friends. That will be only a handful out of millions, but a handful can make a difference. If the people who you surround yourself with are all aware of this, you can create yourself your own little microcosmos and be happy.

Or you have to pack up and move to Germany. Its easier living here than in the US, but you get nothing for free either. (actually, shit... you DO get money for free... hmm)

soulpower said:

See to me bored with it is tired of looking at it. I am educated I have a four year bachelors degree. I guess my point is at the present time and the situation of the US I just do not want to live here anymore. I wish it could be like it was 10 years ago, when peopel were not flying planes into buildings in new york, and people were not snippering people in Washington DC, etc, etc. This country pisses me off sometimes, and I am so tired of seeing all this god damn destruction.

soulpower said:

..so I am ignorant...But what is your excuse for the intelligent posters NOT POSTING on any of your NEW threads...?

OCEANA said:

I really hope you are not refering to the people who have posted on this as not being intelligent. Cause frankly I am trying to have a discussion with soulpower and you are ruining it.

MostBeautifulGrlNTheWorld said:

With a good BA you will always have a chance over here...anywhere in Europe.

OCEANA said:

Maybe they just dont know enough about german politics to post on here without looking stupid. I totally respect that. Unlike you. I have started this thread for you to prove how much you know about my country, and all your responses are lame excuses, bashes, off-topic stuff. Whats your problem? Want another Germany-topic? Your choice. We can discuss anything.