German "Social Welfare Office" Rage
Reforming socialism in Germany is not an easy thing to do:
German Social Workers Face Office Rage ... As the nation continues to downsize health, unemployment and welfare services, violent incidents are on the rise. ... "Our employees are worried. They've been threatened, there've been physical attacks. We had one visitor here who ran through the corridors with a canister filled with gasoline. And the fear grows with each incident..."
In the past when we had a severe case of political rage we simply conquered France (in the morning; afternoon was free for sightseeing) to cool our temper. It's just not what it used to be...
And things are getting even worse: Beer consumption is down in Germany! This will be the last nail in the coffin of the German red-green coalition government.
Yes, it is kind of different: Autonome prügelten auf junge Juden ein, die Israelflaggen gezeigt hatten. ("leftist" streetfighters from Berlin attacked young jews in Hamburg, who showed Israel-flags on a demonstration against a Nazi-march supporting the Wehrmacht last weekend)
Posted by: Heiner | February 03, 2004 at 06:19 PM
I have seen Germans abused by their public servants on more than one occasion. The last incident was in the Munich HBF were a women was inquiring at the DB infostelle. She didn't understand the timetables and, tiring of her questions, the man at the desk told her, "Get out of here, you farmer!" The woman turned to me and said, "Can you believe that?" I told her I could.
Perhaps these individuals come into the Social Welfare office expecting to encounter shabby treatment -- and get it.
Posted by: Robert | February 03, 2004 at 06:33 PM
"In the past when we had a severe case of political rage we simply conquered France (in the morning; afternoon was free for sightseeing) to cool our temper."
Hee, hee. It's funny 'cause it's true.
Posted by: Homer Simpson | February 03, 2004 at 07:01 PM