It looks like the Germans can't get it right either.

[Boldido]

Apparently the U.S. isn't the only democratic nation that has trouble getting its National Elections right.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,375453,00.html

It seems that no matter who comes out on top, Germany was less than thrilled with the choices they had been given. I can feel for you mein freunds, I can feel for you.

[Dizzy D]

Schröder's comeback was quite impressive, far more than I would have expected. Also the new Links party did quite well for a new party with 8.7% of the votes.

[Adam Crocker]

Apparently the U.S. isn't the only democratic nation that has trouble getting its National Elections right.

Yeah, but do they have a Queen who can come and reclaim possession of her former colony? No matter how hard they try Germany, is still playing second fiddle to the U.S.!

[the4thpip]

Schröder's comeback was quite impressive, far more than I would have expected. Also the new Links party did quite well for a new party with 8.7% of the votes.
They're really only pretending to be a new party, when they're really mostly still the old SED party that ruled Eastern Germany with an iron fist up until reunification. I find it rather shameful how many people support them now after the third name change.

[Dizzy D]

Yeah, but do they have a Queen who can come and reclaim possession of her former colony? No matter how hard they try Germany, is still playing second fiddle to the U.S.!


Well perhaps the descendants of the old german Emperor will try to make a go at it?

[Dizzy D]

They're really only pretending to be a new party, when they're really mostly still the old SED party that ruled Eastern Germany with an iron fist up until reunification. I find it rather shameful how many people support them now after the third name change.

High amount of unemployment, same thing as many Russians now going back to "Well, Stalin wasn't such a bad guy. At least we had jobs." Call it being historical near-sighted.

[Cam63]

I'm glad Dick didn't grow up in the West with the surname Schroder.

School woulda been Hell.

[traxler]

Yeah, but do they have a Queen who can come and reclaim possession of her former colony? No matter how hard they try Germany, is still playing second fiddle to the U.S.!
Of course they do!
Georg Freidric Hohenzollern, Prince of Prussia, is alive and well
and living in Germany even as we speak.

Now some five parties have made it over the PR 5% threshold to enter parliament,
do we think Germany should modify it's electoral system?

[the4thpip]

Of course they do!
Georg Freidric Hohenzollern, Prince of Prussia, is alive and well
and living in Germany even as we speak.


There is no more gentry in Germany. Legally, Prince of Prussia is his surname and that is it.

[traxler]

There is no more gentry in Germany. Legally, Prince of Prussia is his surname and that is it.
Prince of Prussia is not his surname.
His surname is Hohenzollern.
He does not claim any political power, but he is a prince, whether you like it or not.
There are several princely families in Germany, for example the Hanovers,
the head of the house being married to Caroline of Monaco

[the4thpip]

Prince of Prussia is not his surname.
His surname is Hohenzollern.
He does not claim any political power, but he is a prince, whether you like it or not.
There are several princely families in Germany, for example the Hanovers,
the head of the house being married to Caroline of Monaco
Nope, you are wrong on that. Gentry was completely removed from German society by law, and their titles are nothing more than parts of their names. They are not allowed to call themselves "Prinz Georg von Hohenzollern" for example. It has to be "Georg Prinz von Hohenzollern" because it is a name, not a title with any additional meaning. They might still consider themselves something else, the law does not.

[traxler]

Nope, you are wrong on that. Gentry was completely removed from German society by law, and their titles are nothing more than parts of their names. They are not allowed to call themselves "Prinz Georg von Hohenzollern" for example. It has to be "Georg Prinz von Hohenzollern" because it is a name, not a title with any additional meaning. They might still consider themselves something else, the law does not.
Pip, the only person who would call his son Prince is Michael Jackson.
It's 100% obvious that titles of nobility have absolutely no legal status
in a republic. The same is true for Italy, and I'm pretty sure, France.
(though with all the restorations they've had I could be wrong.)

Now what about an answer to the second and more serious part
of my original post?