Germans happily pay more for clean energy. Why don’t Americans?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In a way, that's exactly my point. The German national character is what it is. It doesn't matter that the Allies managed to impose a more stable version of Weimar for a few decades - their national character transcends any particular government and is finding a way to express itself in other arenas.

If you are seriously arguing that the relative liberalism of post-war Germany represents a fundamental shift in an aspect of Germanic national character that remained unchanged for almost a thousand years, I think you may not have as solid a grasp on human nature as you might want.

Perhaps you know much less about Germany than you make yourself believe. As a born and raised German that has still spent more of his life there than anywhere else and still has all of his family and friends there, I think I have a pretty good grasp on what Germany is and isn't. It's not a nation of little fascists and autocrats as you would want to believe and propagandize around here. But hey, whatever floats your ignorant little boat, my friend.

Edited April 21, 2011 by Mr. Big Dog

[spookyturtle 9,466]

American's would rather pay more for something important, like Apple products.

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

I know. The average EEG charge is EUR 3.30, however. So, the comparison was made to 4 premium beers from the retailer.

that's one thing that irked me about the euro. before the euro, you could get a nice beer for 5 marks. now it's 5 euro!

[_Simpson_ 250]

Global Warming? How about sustainable energy? How about embarking on the trip towarsds future energy rather than subsidizing yesterday's energy? How about leading rather than being led. How about not allowing oneself to go from one dependency (oil) to another (future energy technology)?

Yes global warming, that it what drives this hysteria. Now is not the time, we have bigger things to worry about. You compare renewable energy to oil like we will be buying it in the future. I think not. When the tech is affordable the Amereican people will adapt and build.

Oh, and I have yet to see any good point that was presented here. Chuck had half a point in regards to the hot weather in parts of this country. That's a non-issue, though. I live in a pretty hot spot and my electric bill sure isn't killing me. In fact, when rates went up, my electric bill went down. Thanks in large part to my investment into an energy efficient A/C unit. We installed it about two eyars ago and it'll have paid for itself by the end of the summer.

So it was in your best interest to buy this...think about it for a minute. There are plenty of of energy efficient products out there for the American people to buy. It should be their choice and in no way should they be taxed into submission. A concept that is lost on a lot of Europe. Were different over here maybe you would be happier back in Germany.

Edited April 21, 2011 by _Simpson_

[_Simpson_ 250]

Steven does 'hit & run' posting. Defending is not one of his strengths.

I agree and its looking like we another drive by courtesy of Steven.

[Zero Sum 305]

Yes global warming, that it what drives this hysteria. Now is not the time, we have bigger things to worry about. You compare renewable energy to oil like we will be buying it in the future. I think not. When the tech is affordable the Amereican people will adapt and build.

So it was in your best interest to buy this...think about it for a minute. There are plenty of of energy efficient products out there for the American people to buy. It should be their choice and in no way should they be taxed into submission. A concept that is lost on a lot of Europe. Were different over here maybe you would be happier back in Germany.

Incentivize smarter energy options, not tax inefficient ones. Plenty of 'choice' in that, unless you consider the current setup here in the US to be actually way too favorable to businesses that capitalize on cheap parts that are not efficient. Too bad there's a lot of money in between established equipment and politicians here. That in itself isn't much different from other places on the globe, and perhaps its something we should be learning from others.

[^_^ 5,021]

Why are we discussing beer??

[_Simpson_ 250]

Incentivize smarter energy options, not tax inefficient ones.

When there is money to be made the evil capitalist will capitalize on it.

Plenty of 'choice' in that, unless you consider the current setup here in the US to be actually way too favorable to businesses that capitalize on cheap parts that are not efficient. Too bad there's a lot of money in between established equipment and politicians here. That in itself isn't much different from other places on the globe, and perhaps its something we should be learning from others.

Favorable to businesses that capitalize on cheap parts? Care to give a example. No need the make the big bad corporate businesses look bad. With any product you can buy a quick fix or spend more and do it right. Once again this should be left up to the people. "you get what you pay for"

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Why are we discussing beer??

It is more essential than energy for card-carrying members of the pot belly crowd.

[mawilson 2,133]

You compare renewable energy to oil like we will be buying it in the future. I think not.

You think not? What do you think you will be buying in the future after the oil runs out?

[_Simpson_ 250]

Why are we discussing beer??

You try to have a conversation about Germany without beer coming up and see how successful you are.

[^_^ 5,021]

You try to have a conversation about Germany without beer coming up and see how successful you are.

Let's talk about the Holocaust. I'd love to see you introduce beer into that conversation

[Ban Hammer 13,489]

Why are we discussing beer??

don't be a beer hater.

Let's talk about the Holocaust. I'd love to see you introduce beer into that conversation

it all started at the beer hall putsch.

next?

[_Simpson_ 250]

You think not? What do you think you will be buying in the future after the oil runs out?

You didnt digest what I posted. Maybe you should go back and read it again.

Do you think that the oil will be gone before we get to the point were green energy is affordable?

Let's talk about the Holocaust. I'd love to see you introduce beer into that conversation

[^_^ 5,021]

it all started at the beer hall putsch.

next?

you win again.