Chart this. Bloomberg’s Chart of the Day (click on the graphic part) doesn’t put German households in a very good light – when compared to Greek ones.
The Greeks may kick butt when it comes to having the highest level of government debt as a percentage of gross domestic product, but its household debt is considerably less than that of Germany’s.
Thank goodness information like this gets published around here every once in a while is all I can say. I’m sure this’ll calm tempers back down again.
“Germany cannot become Europe’s paymaster.”
Observing Hermann 
After all these years of teutonic finger wagging? I’m shocked, shocked I tell you.
This should come as no surprise. Berlin is voluptuously bankrupt and many other governmental organizations have been teetering for years. I friend of mine’s girlfriend works for the state and is supposed to greet visiting delegations to show them around and make sure everything works smoothly. Last year, she had to show a group of 8 or so Chinese businessmen around, but she got a memo before they arrived not to spend any money if at all possible. The suggestion was to have them arrive one day and see Bonn, then take a night train to Berlin for a meeting the next day without the benefit of a hotel bed and a hot shower.