Has anyone else ever noticed this trend that I see in my state?

[SWBTATTReg]

57. Thanks for the information. I've been reading/seeing stuff on the news that the German ...

economic cycle is starting to slow down. I too, was unaware that Germany doesn't have any budget shortfalls, that is, it is not deficit funded (as the US budget is totally opposite of this). I like your wife's proposal, anyone running for office there should work in the real world for at least 1 year or more. An idea that I would think would go over well in the US.

You are either not of retirement age, or haven't paid into the German pension system for (what they said, 5 years), but you can transfer from other countries any pensions you had there (if you want). I am just surprised that you have no medical insurance, no pension, no nothing except quarterly bills (I assume that the bills are for these services on an ongoing basis)?

I always laugh when people gripe and complain about stuff here in the US, or elsewhere, or try to compare medical plans etc. on a 1 by 1 basis...too many differences to easily compare Countries and their medical plans/costs. With your VAT, it definitely throws a huge cost onto the top of everything. I wouldn't be surprised one day if the US does such a thing, otherwise, how are we going to pay off the huge deficits run up by the republicans and their reckless spending?