Even that old fuckhead isn't always wrong
this post was submitted on 15 May 2026
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With all due hate for Merz (Leck Eier!), can we acknowledge what an insane break from usual German-US relations this is?
Especially coming from the conservative CDU, and especially especially from this guy.
A German chancellor advising against going to the US to study would have been unthinkable in the past.
Rule of thumb: if you want to do something that Trump considers advisable, think twice. Guess that's what Merz did.
As someone whoβs lived in the US for years: heβs right
As a German who studied in the US before 9/11, he's right NOW. And that's sad.
As someone who's lived in Germany for years: that's a first for him.
He needs young people to pay for the German boomers retirement.
He is right but very likely for the wrong reasons. He doesn't want young people fleeing the country in response to whatever the fuck he is doing to it.
I dont think anyone sane enough to move away from germany because of Merz would move to the US?
I don't know if the US is the right place to advertise against following that logic. Other EU members seem to be the more obvious choice.
Well, it is an easy target to advocate against right now.
The thing is that despite Germany's slow economy they still have higher wages compared to ~~all~~ most of their neighbours and any of the large ones, and most of the EU or EEC. In the US salaries for professional jobs are often almost double what they are in Germany so it's attractive from that point of view, while in Europe the only real option for that is Switzerland, maybe Luxembourg. They probably also already speak English quite well and the language barrier is higher in other EU countries.
The thing is that despite Germanyβs slow economy they still have higher wages compared to any of their neighbours
Except for Denmark, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. Germany has lower real wages than 1/3 of its neighbors, and it gets worse if you compare median wage instead of the average, which gets pushed up artificially by the super-rich.
Yes, you're right. I did mention those. Denmark is not much higher though, Luxembourg is only an option for people in specific fields really, and all three are tiny compared to Germany whereas the US is an enormous labour market. If you adjust those neighbours for their population size compared to France, Poland, Netherlands, Czechia etc. then it's still higher than the overwhelming majority though. Real wages in Austria are pretty good for academics but otherwise not great either. But yes.
US citizens don't advise it, either.
I also wouldn't advise you old people to move to the US. Or middle-aged people.
I absolutely would advise Friedrich Merz to move to the US. Preferably permanently.
Your enemy is right and that's terrible