Readers consider the recent harsh weather and German taxes

The following comments reflect the views of DW-WORLD.DE readers. Not all reader comments have been published. DW-WORLD.DE reserves the right to edit for length and appropriateness of content.

Europe shivers under sub-zero temperatures

I'm a US citizen who grew up in Wisconsin and has dealt with snow my entire life. I currently live in Bielefeld, Germany. This "blizzard" that we are seeing is nothing more than a small winter storm for us, and yet here we have hundreds of accidents and death tolls reaching the double digits. If this were to happen in my home state the government leaders would be fired for not putting enough planning into the winter clean-up. It saddens me to see that the streets I need to use to go to work haven't been touched with a snow plow in five days! In fact, with all the snow we've had this year, not one snow plow has cleaned our streets and I now sit and watch as cars get stuck in the middle of the road trying to turn. -- Dan Salentine, Germany

One must remember the question of global warming in relation to these severe cold temperatures you are experiencing! -- Kim,Canada

My mother told me that in Germany everyone has to shovel the snow away from the pavement outside their home. I asked a German friend of mine recently if this was still the case and she assured me it was and that it was the law, so everyone had to do it. She actually said that this had to be done at 6 am, which I almost couldn't believe, but apparently this is still so today. The council takes care of the roads. I believe that the UK should do the same simply because it would cut dramatically the number of deaths and injuries. We have had at least 27 deaths and many more injuries, so I think Germany's laws are logical, sensible and fair and show a good community spirit (even though I would hate to get up at six to do it.) -- Karen Hardman, Great Britain

You can hardly criticize the authorities for a perceived lack of preparedness for the extreme cold weather. The so-called climate experts have been trumpeting that the world is warming rapidly. They have been somewhat muted now that their prophecies have been proven false. -- Ralph Sutton, New Zealand

Germans say "nein" to tax cuts

The Free Democratic Party is a proponent of tax cuts, but polls show Germans are opposed

I must point out what tax cuts mean from an American perspective. I have seen every politician get on the stump and say "I'll take your taxes down." And if they do or not, they do it by taking the money from much-needed things like infrastructure repair and maintenance. But they don't tell anyone. And years go by and then the entire country is undermined one day when the failing infrastructure causes a national security problem and citizens are then asked to make up for the lack and are pushed down in class from middle class to low income. Taxes are man's contract with each other to grow together and prosper together against the elements and the future. This American republican idea is just a dangerous and selfish evil to large populations. Please do not become Americanized. -- Edward Schoeberlein, US

I think tax cuts at this stage of the economy are a good idea, especially the inheritance tax. People who saved all their lives to leave something behind for the next generation are penalized with this tax. -- Irma Princz, Canada

The Bundestag shouldn't cut taxes. The only ones who win from those are the rich and they always use them to crush competition. And DW is right on to call the FDP "pro-business." Hopefully Germans realize that all that party cares about is insuring that the rich stay rich and that the poor stay poor. -- John Parsons, US

I do not understand how 59 percent of Germans could be against tax cuts! I believe this poll to not be statistically significant to represent the general population. A welfare state is important so all can benefit! However, this process can only work if the general population has the ability to become prosperous. Tax the people too much and this only makes prosperity go away! If Germany is to continue to be an economic powerhouse; they need to lower taxes! -- Tim Miller, US

High time they rethink this foolish plan, in this time of high deficit the tax cuts will not be the right tool to reduce the sky-high debt, nor will it give the economy the necessary push. The voters are smarter and when even high-income people oppose it, then it can be taken that tax cuts are wrong, especially now. A fourth grader could figure that out, something Westerwelle seems unable to do. -- Gerhard Seeger, Philippines

Compiled by: Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Michael Lawton