Happy Atheist Forum

General => Obituaries => Topic started by: Tom62 on June 17, 2017, 07:45:02 AM

Title: Helmut Kohl died at 87
Post by: Tom62 on June 17, 2017, 07:45:02 AM
One of the greatest European leaders died yesterday. Helmut Kohl's 16-year tenure was the longest of any German Chancellor since Otto von Bismarck. Kohl oversaw the end of the Cold War and is widely regarded as the mastermind of German reunification. Together with French President François Mitterrand, Kohl is considered to be the architect of the Maastricht Treaty, which established the European Union (EU) and the Euro currency.
Title: Re: Helmut Kohl died at 87
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on June 17, 2017, 01:41:51 PM
He did have a distinguished career.
Title: Re: Helmut Kohl died at 87
Post by: Tom62 on June 17, 2017, 02:18:20 PM
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on June 17, 2017, 01:41:51 PM
He did have a distinguished career.

That is true. His final years however were not so happy. He got involved in a financial scandal (CDU party donations) . His wife committed suicide and the relation with his 2 sons had broken down.

Personally I think that he should have stopped 8 years earlier. It is not healthy for a country to be ruled by the same person for many years. The country comes at a stand still, no progress, nothing happens, everything stays the same. I see the same thing happening now with Angela Merkel, who is 12 years in power.
Title: Re: Helmut Kohl died at 87
Post by: Ecurb Noselrub on June 17, 2017, 07:58:59 PM
Sort of like second term US Presidents - it never turns out well.  I believe in "one and done".   Maybe give them 6 years then that's it.  Like Mexico (at least one thing Mexico does right).