History rhyming is likely just a coincidence. Then again, if it were a coincidence, it wouldn’t be so predictable would it.
Simultaneous with the German economy contracting and Chancellor Fredrich Merz saying the expansive entitlement programs are no longer sustainable, as if on cue the German Bundestag is now promoting conscription to make their military much bigger.
The compulsory military service plan is being decided amid two options. Option #1 is compulsory service reinstated only if the Bundestag vote for it. Option #2 is mandated military service becomes automatically law if voluntary conscription targets are missed.
This new military service requirement is coming on the heels of Germany pledging to lead the coalition of the willing on NATO spending. Remember, CIA operations in Ukraine are based out of Germany.
GERMANY – […] Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a sweeping reform of military service, requiring 18-year-old men to register in a new selection system while keeping actual service voluntary.
Those who choose to sign up — typically for a half-year stint, with the option to extend up to 23 months — will be offered more generous pay and training options.
[…] The party aims to introduce changes when the bill comes before parliament for its first reading between Oct. 8 and 10, according to Thomas Erndl, MP and spokesperson for defense policy in Merz’s Christian Democratic bloc.
“We cannot risk a situation where targets are missed and nothing happens — there has to be a mechanism that guarantees the numbers we need,” said Erndl. “That’s why the law needs to be changed.”
Under the government’s draft law, agreed Wednesday, compulsory service could only be reinstated if the Bundestag voted for it. Conservatives want to go further: Their proposal would create an automatic trigger — if recruitment targets are missed, conscription would return without another parliamentary decision. (read more)
Interesting timing.
Don’t think your going to get many followers of Islam to join your military
Uh oh!
I don’t blame WWI on the Germans, but let’s not allow history to repeat itself.
Probably not many Stones fans here but for what it’s worth:
(Apologies to sensitive souls in advance)
Opening rift is classic, rivals the one in Memo From Turner with Ry Cooter.
Lyrics are simple and damning. Read ’em and weep.
Gimme Shelter, Rolling Stones.
Seriously? German youth don’t want to join the German Army voluntarily…? What possible concern could dissuade the German youth from joining the German Army? Certainly Germany isn’t building a large army for anything like large scale parades or fighting Russia in Ukraine..? Hummm… It seems I’ve heard something, somewhere, about that before. The German Government could look for help convincing their youth to join the German Army. They might start with a persuasive Gauleiter from somewhere (say Berlin?) who could help them with this task. If not, I’ve been told “no worries” that the German Government has its methods…
Germany has a shrinking economy – ie fewer jobs available, ie plenty of unemployed young men.
Drafting them into a short term stint of military training is partly a jobs program to keep them busy and off the streets.
Paying them conscript wages is cheaper than paying them unemployment social-insurance.