"German multicultural society has failed" - Merkel

[Thomen]

Originally Posted by Aramike

You have got to be kidding...

The employer (who risks everything) should be beholden to the employee (who risks nothing) when that employee has the freedom at any time to leave their job?

Because they want a specific day off?

Really?But you weren't FREE to do otherwise.

This is a discussion about freedom, not personal preference. If you want the latter to dictate society be prepared to outlaw gays, athiesm and all religions not Christian, salt, etc.You DO know what the term "freedom" means, right? Hint: it has nothing to do with the subjective concept of convienience. Employees in the US as just as free to not work a job that requires weekend work as they are free to CHOOSE such a job.

What you propose is eliminating that freedom altogether, because YOU like your weekends off. I honestly can't believe I'm actually reading that...Umm, okay? Your point?

Word check: compulsory. All German males MUST perform this service. How does that equate to the Selective Service system which is not used?

Sorry to be harsh in my earlier comments this post, but really?

You know what.. you are right. There is no other free country, and freedom is purely as you define it.

[Betonov]

I have been a clinical psychologist. Forget the idea, it is not possible. And any questionaires you might consider can be cheated by spreading the word on what kind of "right" answers the subject is expected in order to pass the test.

too bad. maybe we will be able to implement something like this when technology improves.

And about the ongoing debate about liberty.
I dont feel any less free than I would be in the US. Stores are opened on sundays, I can travel anywhere I want whenever I want, no curfews... the only liberty missing is the freeedom from idiotic politicians.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by Thomen

You know what.. you are right. There is no other free country, and freedom is purely as you define it.

Freedom means something specific. While no society can be completely "free" (the very terms society and freedom are in a sense antithetical) the society which, by and large, provides its people's with the greatest ability of self-determination is the society which is the most free.

Not being able to open your store on Sunday runs counter-intuitive to that notion. Not being able to even make the choice to work or not work for such an employer also runs against that notion.

However, I think you're mischaracterizing my point. I'm not suggesting that cultural differences in the amount of self-determination is wrong - but I am suggesting that such differences are examples of one society being less free than another.