SPECIAL ISSUE #72

SATIRE OR CABARET - UNFORTUNATELY BITTERLY SERIOUS

There are only a few days left until Election Day in Germany, which is this Sunday. I have been watching what is happening in this once-thriving country, and I am very much afraid that we are in for another four years of „same, same, not different.” When I heard JD Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference, I had hope that perhaps some people would wake up and see the reality unraveling around them.

When I see how the mainstream media deals with this afterward, I feel sick. The absolute refusal to listen to another perspective, let alone accept or even consider criticism, is frightening. What is most alarming, however, is that the restriction and even abolition of freedom of expression are being driven forward. Always under the guise of preventing hate speech and misinformation, free speech is increasingly being criminalised. Work is being done to ban a party - the AFD. Work is underway to have Platform X blocked in Germany, at least temporarily, if sensitive user data is not released, etc.

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Freedom of speech and expression is one of our greatest assets and it is being taken away from us. JD Vance has summarised it wonderfully. If you haven't heard his speech yet, I encourage you to watch it here. It will go down in history.

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There is something I want to share with you that shows exactly how the narrative and the truth are twisted in ways that seem flabbergasting. It's hard to believe what I - and I assume all German households - have received in their letterboxes in one way or another. At first, you really think it must be a bad joke, or at least satire or cabaret.

I am talking about an election campaign flyer from the Green Party. It is the party that is largely responsible for the desolate state in which Germany now finds itself. I will refrain from delving deeper into the party's history since its foundation in January 1980. The last three years are enough.

As a small side note: the Greens are supposedly the environmental party, the ones who want to tell us that we should save electricity and heating costs, who recommend that you really don't need to shower every day - and if you do, then cold - but that a cat wash with a flannel should suffice. As I was driving through Munich the other evening, I naturally noticed the election posters. A normal sight in an election campaign. What was astonishing, however, was that only Green Party election posters were behind glass and also illuminated. Of course, you could claim that they are lit exclusively with green electricity, or that the party members take it in turns to cycle to generate the electricity. But let's stay real, we all know that this is utter nonsense. And don’t get me started on those flyers…

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But I wanted to show you the flyer - which of course, I have translated for you:

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„WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

We admit it: The traffic light coalition government has been challenging! But despite that, we have achieved a lot—things that had been left undone during the years of stagnation under the grand coalition:

• Cheaper Electricity: We have ushered in the era of renewable energy and reduced costs through solar, wind, and water power.

• Germany Ticket: We introduced it! This ticket makes buses and trains more attractive for everyone, drives the transition to sustainable transport, and reduces CO₂ emissions.

• Childcare: We have invested four billion euros—for more staff, modern equipment, and greater reliability.

• Nature Conservation: With the Natural Climate Protection Action Programme, we are taking care of our moors, forests, lakes, and seas.

• Minimum Wage: Over six million people are benefiting from the largest wage increase to date, ensuring they get more from their work!

• Skilled Workers: Germany, as an immigration country, finally has a modern immigration law that strengthens our position in the global competition for the brightest minds, the most hardworking hands, and the most open-hearted individuals.

Find more Green successes here: gruene.de/sammlungen/das-haben-wir-geschafft“

„DEAR VOTER,

I trust and thank you! Because it is you who keep things running—at work, in your family, and in your community. You are the strength of our country.

But for you to do your job, politics must do its job too—by addressing issues honestly, implementing solutions, and solving problems with clarity and reliability.

For a secure climate. For a strong and future-proof economy. For an affordable life. For a state where things simply work. For peace in freedom.

Let’s take the future into our own hands! That is what I am fighting for—not just until 23rd February, but for as long as you, the citizens, want me to. You have my word.

That is why I ask for your trust in the upcoming Bundestag elections on 23rd February.

Robert Habeck. One person. One word.“

„TRUST

VERENA MACHNIK, TO BERLIN FOR YOU

ONE WOMAN. ONE WORD.“

„GROWING TOGETHER

Do you want to preserve our natural resources and shape your future with freedom, security, and peaceful coexistence? So do we! That’s why we combine climate protection with prosperity for all.“

„HOW? HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING:

• Nature and Environmental Protection: Measures to promote biodiversity, clean water, healthy lakes, and sustainable agriculture.

• Energy Transition and Climate Protection: Further expansion of renewable energy, support for the circular economy, and climate-neutral modernisation of industry.

• Economy: Support for small businesses and crafts, affordable electricity, increased digitalisation, and less bureaucracy.

• Children, Families, and Social Security: Well-equipped nurseries, schools, and universities; tackling child poverty; promoting equality; reforming pensions, healthcare, and social care; ensuring affordable housing.

• Democracy: Standing up for cultural diversity and against discrimination, strengthening the fight against extremism and disinformation.

We are building a modern, fair, and sustainable Germany within a strong and united Europe—combining economic innovation with environmental and social progress!

Find more Green goals here: gruene.de/artikel/zusammen-wachsen“

„WHY YOU CAN TRUST ME

I am a freelance journalist and editor, 45 years old, and live with my family in Berg by Lake Starnberg, where I represent my party on the local council.

For me, humanity, empathy, a strong sense of justice, and a willingness to take action are essential pillars of a livable society. That’s why I’ve always been someone who gets things done while others are still talking.

Thanks to my ability to connect with people and my reliable nature, I succeed in bringing together individuals with different perspectives—building bridges that lead to constructive solutions.

With my radical optimism, heart, and intellect, I am committed to effective environmental and climate protection, as well as an open, social, fair, and economically stable society!

As a member of the German Bundestag, I want to actively work for you and our region with my responsible and (mostly) friendly persistence—especially as a strong voice for those who don’t have one themselves.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ME
VERENA-MACHNIK.DE | @VERENA.MACHNIK“

„MY CORE ISSUES

Children & Young People

Our children are the future! They urgently need better climate and environmental protection, equal access to education, and real participation in society. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic must be recognised and addressed for the younger generation. And: Children's rights belong in the constitution. #Future

Strong Local Communities

As a local councillor actively involved in community and association life, I know that political decisions are felt most directly at the local level. Well-funded, well-staffed, and empowered municipalities foster trust in democracy. #AtHome

Migration & Integration

Through years of experience supporting refugees, I am convinced: A comprehensive, humane, and fair integration policy is a long-term investment in social cohesion, economic stability, and national security. #Together“

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I don't know whether what is listed in this flyer is simply brazen or delusional. Let's take a look at the so-called successes.

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“WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED

We admit it: The traffic light coalition government has been challenging! But despite that, we have achieved a lot—things that had been left undone during the years of stagnation under the grand coalition:”

It appears almost miraculous that the Greens admit that governing has been “challenging”. However, everything is quickly relativized and attributed to the predecessors.

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„Cheaper Electricity: We have ushered in the era of renewable energy and reduced costs through solar, wind, and water power.“

Factually this is correct. However, if you drive up prices massively through misguided policies and then lower them minimally, you can of course claim that you have lowered energy costs.

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“Nature Conservation: With the Natural Climate Protection Action Programme, we are taking care of our moors, forests, lakes, and seas.”

We all love nature and I am certainly no exception. What I find irritating is that to create new windmill parks, entire forests are being cleared. Last I knew forests play a vital role in reducing atmospheric CO2. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, converting it into sugars that feed the tree and emitting oxygen. Forest ecosystems are the largest land-based carbon sink on Earth. Has science changed here as well? Asking for a friend.

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“Minimum Wage: Over six million people are benefiting from the largest wage increase to date, ensuring they get more from their work!”

As long as taxes and social security contributions do not fall, minimum wages simply make no sense. I didn't study economics, but even I realise that it is often unsustainable for companies to pay higher minimum wages. The result is that fewer people are hired and goods become even more expensive. So the higher minimum wage doesn't benefit anyone. However, a fundamental tax reform would not only be helpful but overdue. This brings us to the next so-called achievement.

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”Skilled Workers: Germany, as an immigration country, finally has a modern immigration law that strengthens our position in the global competition for the brightest minds, the most hardworking hands, and the most open-hearted individuals.“

This is simply not true, and why should it be? We have exorbitantly high taxes and duties in Germany and qualified skilled workers can earn significantly more in other countries than here. On the contrary, skilled workers are migrating abroad, as are companies that can no longer afford or want to pay the energy costs that prefvent them to be competitive on the global market.

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I don't want to go into detail about the letter to the voters from our Economics Minister Robert Habeck, as it perfectly reflects the delusion of this party. However, I would like to comment on the last two sentence, which sounds like a mockery to me.

“Let’s take the future into our own hands! That is what I am fighting for—not just until 23rd February, but for as long as you, the citizens, want me to. You have my word.

That is why I ask for your trust in the upcoming Bundestag elections on 23rd February.”

A man that has no clue what an insolvency is, a man that systematically brought the economy of Germany to its knees speaks about “fighting” for our future? I can only hope that the majority of the German citizens don’t want him any longer as he most certainly doesn’t deserve anyones trust. In his book ‘Patriotism - A Leftist Plea’, Robert Habeck criticised classic patriotism. He wrote that he always found ‘patriotism, i.e. love of one's country, to be disgusting’ and that he had never known what to do with Germany and still doesn't know what to do with it.

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As to what the Greens are doing, I would like to just pick out the most important aspect:

“Democracy: Standing up for cultural diversity and against discrimination, strengthening the fight against extremism and disinformation.”

I find it very telling that apparently the definition of what democracy is had gotten lost in translation for this party.

The term “democracy” derives from the Greek words demos (people) and kratos (power), meaning “rule by the people”. In its earliest form, democracy was a system where citizens directly participated in decision-making without intermediaries, as seen in Athens’ direct democracy. Citizens gathered in assemblies like the Ecclesia to vote on laws, elect officials, and deliberate on public matters.

Today, Switzerland is the country closest to the original definition of democracy as practiced in ancient Athens. It operates as a semi-direct democracy, where citizens have significant power to influence legislation through instruments like mandatory referendums, citizen-initiated initiatives, and optional referendums at federal, cantonal, and municipal levels. And it works quite well.

What the Greens are saying is that if you are not with us you are automatically against us and must be punished. If you dare to make use of your rights enshrined in the Basic Law, you are extreme right-wing and must be silenced. If in doubt, through house searches or the shutdown of social media platforms.

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“WHY YOU CAN TRUST ME”

If a politician has to explain why they can be trusted, all is lost. This is something you only need to explain when words and actions don’t align - which they haven’t in a long time. It makes me thing of the snake Kaa from the Jungle Book.

When I read the word ‘radical’, regardless of the context, I tend to get anxious.

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Now let us have a look at the core issues of the woman we should put our trust in.

“Children & Young People

Our children are the future! They urgently need better climate and environmental protection, equal access to education, and real participation in society. The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic must be recognised and addressed for the younger generation. And: Children's rights belong in the constitution. #Future”

I have been advocating for a reform of the antiquated German school system for many year - ever since I came back into this system in 1980, which was a shock. It has not improved since and now the children are also left behind as the percentage of children that speak very little or no German at all is dramatically on the rise due to uncontrolled and relentless immigration. Children are also being indoctrinated in schools to think “the right things” and behave accordingly. The neutrality of schools have long been lost and home schooling is not an option in Germany.

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”Migration & Integration

Through years of experience supporting refugees, I am convinced: A comprehensive, humane, and fair integration policy is a long-term investment in social cohesion, economic stability, and national security. #Together“

This has become one of the key issues in Germany at this time. Not a month goes by without a gruesome attack, often committed by migrants that should not even be here in the first place or who should have been deported long ago. The days of open doors and borders must end. I wonder how many more people have to be murdered or raped before politicians finally act. I am the first to welcome people in real need - on the condition that they adapt to the country that has so generously taken them in. This includes learning the local language as quickly as possible and understanding the culture. In Germany, the exact opposite is practised. We should go to a Muslim country and try to visit a mosque in shorts and a miniskirt. We would be arrested immediately. In Germany, the caliphate can be openly proclaimed and nobody bothers. Anyone who wants to come to Germany, integrate (this is an obligation), learn the language and work - and we have many wonderful examples of people who have succeeded in doing just that - is an enrichment. However, anyone who commits criminal offences has forfeited their right to stay. this is practised in other countries and it should be the same in Germany. We still appear to be so terrified to step on anyones toes that we let the people coming into the country illegally walk all over us.

The ultimate madness is that when you tear up your passport before entering the country, there is no way you can be deported - because you are undocumented. Hotel California: “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave…”.

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What worries me incredibly is that it is almost a foregone conclusion that Friedrich Merz of the CDU will become the new Federal Chancellor on Sunday. He has already announced several times that he will maintain the firewall against the AFD and will probably enter into coalitions with the left-wing parties SPD, Die Linke and of course the Greens in order to be able to govern. This means that over the next four years we will see more of the same policies as in the past three years and that would deal Germany - also as an economic power - the coup de grace. I very much hope that I am wrong and that there is still hope - it is known to die hard.