Letter to IG Metall: One German's Response

(By Ray D.)

As a result of our articles on the recent cover of 'metall', the monthly magazine of Germany's largest trade union IG Metall, we received copies of numerous letters of protest sent in by our readers. Like us, they were deeply upset that IG Metall has chosen to portray Americans and American companies as bloodsucking parasites. Since then, the union has gone even further and defended the cover as a "good caricature" after it was sharply criticized by a prominent German politician.

The (Blood-) Suckers: US Firms in Germany

Many readers were also outraged that Gerhard Schroeder's Social Democrats, out of desperation in the run-up to the North Rhine-Westphalia election, opened the entire Pandora's box by comparing capitalists to a locust plague. The SPD also supported IG Metall when the union and its magazine cover were harshly criticized by German politician Guido Westerwelle. SPD boss Klaus Uwe Beneter described Westerwelle's criticism of the unions, including his objection to the 'metall' cover, as "near anti-democratic populism."

In other words, Gerhard Schroeder's SPD doesn't view the overt racism of IG Metall as "anti-democratic populism." Instead it attacks anyone daring to criticize the unions and their outrageous anti-American antics as near anti-democratic populists. But the grotesque hypocrisy doesn't stop there: Recently, the SPD-led German government has taken-out full-page newspaper ads in the United States, claiming that the Schroeder government is a partner for "freedom, peace and prosperity."

As David would say: You may throw up now...

Letter to IG Metall: "Unions are the "ball and chain around the ankles of the prison inmates" in the German economy..."

One letter of protest to IG Metall, which we just received via email, is so impressive that we wanted to share it with out readers. Here it is:

"IG Metall Board of Directors:

As a 65 year-old German who has worked in the States for over 30 years, I believe that I can contribute something to the current controversy about the last edition of "metall."

In Germany,..."

"...I completed my training as a mechanic for machine construction (Maschinenbaumechaniker), worked two more years in a factory as a trainee and after that I myself paid for continued training as a technician in the same field. After 4 further years as a technical draftsman and design engineer in Germany, I first moved to Australia, and then after 3 more years emigrated to America. Since 1968 I have worked in California and in 2000 I went into early retirement on my own finances.

In that time, my family has frequently visited Germany and I am, at the moment, still a German. However, not for much longer. Media outbreaks like Metall's last edition have turned me against short-sighted politics like yours and made my decision to take on US citizenship an easy one.

Seldom have I read more bias and, yes, stupidity in an article than in "The (Blood-) Suckers, from the last edition of metall. Germany's current 12% unemployment combined with welfare payments that are barely under the income of working Germans should have really proven the spiritual and economic bankruptcy of this politics. If one then considers that Germany demands the highest welfare system payments (taxes per employed person) from employers, combined with laws that make it nearly impossible to lay-off workers in times of stagnation, then I must say that the unemployment level can only continue to go up.

America, with its receding unions and increasing economic growth, should really make it clear that capitalism with less restrictions increases economic growth, and unions are the "ball and chain around the ankles of the prison inmates" in the German economy. I can understand that unions want to pass off the blame for the effects of their policies with idiotic accusations. When politicians then attack the person who points out the damage that these politics do (FDP's Westerwelle), than I must say that Germany is not yet prepared for its own Margaret Thatcher.

As here in America, German bloggers like "Davids Medienkritik" are far ahead of the politicians. Schroeder's defense, that he will not allow the reduction of the social-welfare economy in Germany, is in my perspective attributable either to mental cloudiness or to his own personal advantages from defending that which, in reality, cannot be defended: A bankrupt political/economic system as bankrupt as Communism.

Sincerely, Herrmann G."

Here is the original German:

"I.G. Metall Vorstand:

Als 65-jahriger, seit ueber 30 Jahren in den Staaten arbeitender, Deutscher, glaube dass ich etwas zu der gegenwaertigen Kotroverse ueber ueber die letzte Ausgabe in "Metall" beitragen kann.

Ich habe in Deutschland eine Lehre als Maschinenbaumechaniker abgelegt, fuer 2 Jahre bei meiner Lehrfabrik weitergearbeited und danach eine Weiterbildung zum Techniker im selben Fach selbst bezahlt. Nach weiteren 4 Jahren als Technischer Zeichner und Konstrukteur in Deutschland, bin ich erst nach Australien, nach weiteren 3 Jahren nach Amerika ausgewandert. Seit 1968 arbeitete ich im Kalifornien, in 2000 bin ich auf meine eigenen Finanzen mit 60 Jahren fruehzeitig in den Ruhestand getreten.

Waehrend dieser Zeit habe haeufig meine Familie in Deutschland besucht und bin z.Zt. immer noch Deutscher. Allerdings nicht mehr lange. Medienausbrueche wie Metall's letzter Artikel haben mich gegen kurzsichtige Politk wir Ihre gestellt und meine Entscheidung die Amerikanische Staatsbuergerschaft anzunehmen leicht gemacht.

Selten habe ich mehr Voreingenommenheit und ja, sogar Dummheit in einem Artikel gelesen als in "Die Aussauger" der letzten Ausgabe von Metall. Deutschland's jetzige 12% Arbeitslosigkeit, in Kombination mit Sozialleistungen die kaum unter den Einkommen von arbeitenden Deutschen liegen sollte eigentlich den geistigen und oekonomischen Bankrott dieser Politik bewiesen haben. Wenn man dann noch ueberlegt dass Deutschland mit die hoechsten Sozialleistungen (Steurern per Arbeitnehmer) von Arbeitgebern fordert, in Kombination mit Gesetzen die eine Entlassung von Arbeitnehmern waehrend wirtschaftlicher Stagnation fast unmoeglich machen, so muss ich sagen dass die Arbeitslaosigkeit nur weiter nach oben gehen kann.

Amerika, mit ruecklaeufiger Gewerkschaftbeteiligung und steigendem Wirtschaftswachstum, sollte eigentlich klar machen dass Kapitalismus mit weniger Beschraenkung den Wirtschaftswachstum fordert, und Gewergschaften den "Eisenball um den Knoechel der Gefaengnissinsassen" fuer die deutsche Wirtschaft darstellen. Dass Gewerkschaften mit idiotischen Vorwuerfen anderen die Schuld fuer die Auswirkungen ihrer Politik in die Schuhe schieben wollen kann ich verstehen. Wenn dann aber Politiker den angreifen, der den Schaden dieser Politik hervorstellt (FDP's Westerwelle), dann muss ich sagen Deutschland ist noch nicht zugaengig fuer seine eigene Margaret Thatscher.

Wie hier in Amerika, Deutschland's blogger wie "David's Medienkritik" sind den Politikern weit voraus. Schreoeders Verteidigung, dass er die Verringerung der Sozialwirtschaft Deutschland's nicht zulassen werde, muss ich vom meiner Warte entweder geistiger Umnebelung zuschreiben, oder fuer seine eigenen Vorteile das zu verteidigen was eigentlich nicht verteidigt werden kann: Ein bankrottes politik/wirtschaftliches System so bankrott wie Kommunismus.

Comments

[Gary]

Welcome to the US, Hermann. It's good to have people like you here, showing the world by simply going to work every day that freedom, opportunity and hope are the three things America has over the sad sacks like Germany and France. It's just too bad you're going to be vilified for it over there.

[frank]

While I echo Gary, I wish it wasn't just the ex-pats who felt that way. If the politics of childishness were set aside and the chancellor would talk straight with the Germans about Germany, as oppossed to talking cross with them about america, they might get something done. The seems dismally far off at the moment.

[Inge Maras-Crutchfield]

I am a german citizen as well, living in California since 1992, and love this country. During the run-up to the Iraq war, it became clear that 'Germany' no longer represents my interests as a german citizen. At times, I was ahamed of being 'german' because of he hateful rhetoric coming not only from the Schroeder and clan, but also from the looney left in Germany. I also have applied to change my citizenship to shed my german natonality. America has offered me more opportunities than Germany ever has during my lifetime. I will never hesitate to defend the interests of the USA rather than that of Germany. Obviously, Germany has forgotten all the good deeds of American soliers etc..

[Arlene]

@Inge Maras-Crutchfield and Herrmann G.

Welcome to America. You do us proud by choosing to become Americans. Best Wishes and good luck to you.

[stephane]

I couldn't agree more with what is written here. I'm in a particular position, because I have both French and German citizenships! Luckily, I've studied in the USA and now live in Taiwan. I continue to vote to make things change, but I'm definitely not going back as long as these States tax far more than half of what you're making.

[Matter]

Welcome to America. We're proud to have you.

[amiexpat]

I second that welcome to all concerned.

[Trish]

Hermann and Inge,

yes welcome to the US. I just returned home from Germany after twenty years. I don't mean to whine, but I really wish that some Germans had welcomed me to Germany as you guys are truly welcomed here. Call it a human flaw, but it's a nice feeling to know you are welecome.

[Inge]

Trish,

I fully understand your thoughts, and I have to say this about German people: There was always a dismay towards 'other nationalities'. I remember well while I lived there, not to mentioned the 'names' germans had for other immigrants, contrary to the behavior of America towards immigrants. It always bothered me, but knowing that many Germans were hostile towards other nationalities is nothing new. This is what makes America so great, and its people so 'loveable', as long as you are hardworking, honest, and open minded, America is the dream country. Sorry for posting this, it has nothing to do with the IG German Metal issue, I just wanted to express my warm regards to Trish.

[Trish]

Thanks Inge

[Hermann]

I would like to say thank you to all the positive comments to my post I read on the web site.

When I left Germany, I had no intentions of leaving Germany for good, just to see the world, which I did a fair amount. When I got to California, I simply recognized a good thing and "forgot" to move on.
When Germany "fell into the wrong hands" (democrats), the decision to stay became easy.

Herrmann

[Dave Funk]

About three hundred years ago, my ancester, Heinrich Funck was kicked out of his home in what is today Germany and went to America. His Great-Great Grandfather was kicked out of Switzerland about one hundred years before. For the last 5 years I have lived in Germany working for the US Army. For the first two years, I wondered about seeking German citizenship. Those days are gone. As one friend has remarked, in 50 years, Germany has gone from National Socialism to Socialism. People around the world like to say that they like Americans but hate the American government. I have found Germans to be generally very nice people, but in the last few years the German government has managed to convince Germans that they should hate Americans and the American government. The combination of Socialism, hate of everything American, and the poor performance of their economy, due directly to governmental control, has put Germany squarely in the camp of.. of... Cuba. One day we will find German vacations to be very reasonably priced, though the help staff at the hotels and restraunts a bit unhelpful. Meanwhile, a vacation in Warsaw will be fun and exciting if a bit expensive.

[poguemahone]

It will be the Poles vacationing in Germany - using their economic power to live large as guests of the social welfare disaster on the Rhine

[Joan]

Trish, I am an American who lived in Germany from 1979 to 1992. I had the same experience as you. You are not the only one who felt unwelcome there. And that in spite of being the "poster" immigrant: I loved Germany, I spoke fluent German, I even in my silly youthfulness thought of becoming German. I am back now, and feel like I "dodged the bullet" by not staying, considering how much MORE anti-American they have become. Sad.

[Scout]

David: Great Blog.
Hermann and Inge: Welcome to the US with me in abstentia since I am presently -- where else -- in Germany.
I'm a US serviceman, I've been here since 1981 and I can tell you that anti-Americanism was not always so common. The Reagan years were a little rough with so many of the looney left violently protesting against cruise missiles, Pershings, etc. although this was not a uniquely German experience, see CND and others. From my experience, the high point in US-German relations was during Bush 41.
During Clinton the Germans were too busy with themselves. The relationship was neglected on both sides, but certainly not yet bad.
IMHO, Schroeder sacrificed the trans-Atlantic relationship at the alter of domestic political expediency to win an election. And this was easy for him to do, as the German media, trade unions, SPD, and Looney Left have consistently portrayed the US as the bad guys, and -- I'm sorry to have to say this, but the typical German voter is a sheep just waiting to be told what his opinion is supposed to be.
Culturally, economically, politically, demographically... Germany is on the absteigende Ast. Hard to be an optimist here. All the optimists emmigrated.

[Tom]

Hermann, I am very sad to read such a rather pessimistic estimation of
You, concerning things here in Germany.
You are right with every single word!
For me it is a very frustrating experience to see, how this '68er generation'
drives the whole country into a complete desaster.
There used to be a generation of sober-minded, hard working people, who were not at
all anti american; but they are about to vanish. This was the
generationof our fathers (I'm 41), that created the so called 'Wirtschaftswunder'.
Almost half of the people of my generation, however, has abandoned those virtues
and still dream of a welfare state; as if the eastern part of the country had
not suffered under a socialistic experiment for over 40 years. IMHO this
behaviour is the result of a long time brainwash by german media, which I blame
a lot for many of the problems, we have to face here.
Still, this is my country, I love it's landscapes, I like most of its people;
and let me please tell you, that there still are a lot of very hard working people
here, who are not at all lacy, dumb or even weasels, as we are often called in the U.S.
Thank You for Your attention.