Andrew Gimson writing on the German welfare state in the May 10 London Spectator:
"They (the 1968 'rebels") found their livelihood thanks to Bismarck. He was he who saw
that welfare payments could be used to suppress conflict and keep millions in quiescent
dependency on the state.....The will to work has been eroded, in many individual cases
beyond hope of recovery, by a welfare state which by British standards is amazingly munificent."

Recognise anyone you know?