I don't know if I like the idea of China taking over the role of the US. China's blatant disregard for human rights and its desire to absorb neighboring nations and territories is alarming. Should China become the new hegemonic nation of the world, I wouldn't be altogether surprised to see a new cold war starting and frankly, at this point, all the advantages lie with the Chinese.

That having been said, it's going to be nice to see a less US-dependent Europe. For ages now the European mainland has had to skip to the US's beats, now we'll be China and Russia's lackeys, not exactly the self-sufficient independence we've been idealizing since the rise of the Euro, but definitely a step in the right direction.

We don't hate America, we hate your politics. And can you really blame us? A nation whose foreign policy is set on world economic domination through military and financial means.

I do know from watching the news and reading various journals that Germany is spearheading a movement in the EU to continue becoming more self-sufficient in order to counter the trade deficit and lack of raw materials on the European mainland. Let's see if they manage, somehow.

Edited 3/18/2015 08:53:24

Thomas, the reason myhand cares so much is because we all know that the United States is an evil empire that is secretly planning the invasion of all Europe as we speak. Only a brainwashed sheep would not be aware of America's diabolical plans for world domination.

you finally got it. =)

Let's try responding to Taisho like myhandisonfire:

Nope, China's human right's abuses are a myth perpetuated by the US to keep China the "bad guys". They're actually behind all the abuses in China! Spies EVERYWHERE, man! EVERYWHERE!

Because some (usually dumb) American "patriots" need to hear this.

We don't hate America, we hate your politics. And can you really blame us?

I like the land of the free people. In Germany you even get imprisoned for not sending your kids to school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wLtAXDgqg

http://m.memegenerator.net/instance/58858620

Edited 3/18/2015 18:57:17

I expected myhand to show up to refute me... this means I had a solid argument.

Also everyone is flocking to China because... they are getting more powerful by the day. Also its my birthday.

Ostdeutschland>Weißdeutschland

X2, what is white germany

We don't hate America, we hate your politics. And can you really blame us?

I like the land of the free people. In Germany you even get imprisoned for not sending your kids to school.

Land of the free people, keep telling yourself that :P The government is less transparent than it's ever been in its history. Citizens enjoy fewer rights every year and the lobbyists run the legislative branch of the government. American's refuse to raise tax on the middle and upper class, but don't mind letting the poor jump through hoops just to collect food stamps.

And I can see why you'd use that case as an example. Who wants to go to school when you can stay home all day and...dunno, be ignorant? Education is a right in Germany and parent's neglecting their children's right to an education is criminal. Also, imprisonment is kind of harsh. I'm inclined to say he was charged, if I'm mistaken provide a link showing otherwise, please.

Thomas this is the off-topic forum but...... is that related in anyway?

http://www.gifsforum.com/images/meme/trolling%20troll%20science%20and%20troll%20dad/grand/1492_bQB5z4Jv.jpg

Trying to wrap my head around it...

economy was never my strong skill.

Hello

Land of the free people, keep telling yourself that :P The government is less transparent than it's ever been in its history. Citizens enjoy fewer rights every year and the lobbyists run the legislative branch of the government. American's refuse to raise tax on the middle and upper class, but don't mind letting the poor jump through hoops just to collect food stamps.

And I can see why you'd use that case as an example. Who wants to go to school when you can stay home all day and...dunno, be ignorant? Education is a right in Germany and parent's neglecting their children's right to an education is criminal. Also, imprisonment is kind of harsh. I'm inclined to say he was charged, if I'm mistaken provide a link showing otherwise, please.

Usually the reason for homeschooling isn't like that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzLwKPSWcI4

I believe with homeschooling in Germany it strongly depends on the senior schooling authority in your district. If they want to go after you they can give you a really hard time. Here is a link where someone faced imprisonment: http://www.sueddeutsche.de/bildung/urteil-des-bundesverfassungsgerichts-haftstrafen-fuer-schulverweigerer-eltern-sind-rechtens-1.2210364. I don't have first hand experience but do have second hand experience with the problems parents face not sending their children to school. There is a very realistic fear that the police shows up and drives your children to school and a more abstract fear that the state completely takes away your children.

The German government is very clear in stating that homeschooling is not acceptable. While it may be considered acceptable (although uncommon) in the US, it's not something the German government will tolerate, because a child has a right and role in education and integration within the society.

Every country weighs freedom differently, but there's always a price paid (it's theorized under the Social Contract: http://www.academia.edu/3138759/Social_Contract_Theory_by_Hobbes_Locke_and_Rousseau). There is no society in which you can literally do whatever you want, some freedoms will need to be laid aside for the greater good. That being said, the German government lays importance on the integration and education of children.

It should be noted that German schools don't suffer the level of mobbing and violence that American schools do, so homeschooling is only vigilantly pursued by strict religious and/or alternative lifestyle types.

I was a child who didn't go to school by choice, my mum ended up going to court over it. They threw it out because i was already over 16 when the system finally took us to court. That's england though, not germany.

On-topic(ish):

I don't beleive that America is innocent, but i'm very 50/50 on them being the worst in the world. At least they have people trying to fight for the good side. Some countrys don't even have that.

Die Allgemeinheit habe ein berechtigtes Interesse daran, religiös oder weltanschaulich motivierten Parallelgesellschaften entgegen zu wirken, argumentierte das Bundesverfassungsgericht.

Sounds very reasonable to me. If you are born into any kind of fundamentalist family, like a religous sect or ultrareligous practioners for that matter, or some kind of racist hate group, you have no chance but to be indoctrinated.
Despite all criticsm concerning public schools, justified or not, the act of homeschooling can prevent innocent children from getting into touch with a pluralistic society.
Whether or not homeschooling should be allowed if certain conditions are met that prevent children to be isolated and totally dependend on their parents or legal overloads is a totally different matter, i wouldn't want to stand against homeschooling per se.

The state does have a right to prevent physical abuse of children by their parents, why shouldnt it be allowed to prevent mental abuse as well?

I don't beleive that America is innocent, but i'm very 50/50 on them being the worst in the world. At least they have people trying to fight for the good side. Some countrys don't even have that.

Thats ridiculous, every country has them.

What about Boratistan?