Barrel Strength

… this time without that thing about the Jews.  A recent survey in Germany put forth some interesting views.

The overwhelming majority of Germans would welcome the nationalisation of large segments of the economy, including its energy, transport and financial infrastructure, according to a new opinion poll that underlines the strength of popular opposition to free-market liberalism in Europe’s largest economy.

…77 per cent of respondents thought the state should take large equity stakes in German energy companies while 64 per cent said financial institutions should be at least partly nationalised.  Another 60 per cent said Germany’s former state monopolies – Lufthansa, the airline, Deutsche Post and the Deutsche Bahn railway operator – and their private-sector competitors should either come or stay under state ownership…. A large minority of 40 to 45 per cent said nationalisations or partial nationalisations should extend to the telecommunications, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and farming sectors.

Sometimes it is not the idea, but the execution, the survey responders seem to be saying.