The Shame Of Debt

In the land where the words for "debt" and "guilt" are alarmingly similar, and the chancellor seems to be named for a pubic wig, are we surprised that silly proposals for financial regulation are a regular feature? Not really.

Germany will amend its constitution to ban excessive public borrowing and set up a strict repayment schedule for the public deficit caused by its latest fiscal stimuli, chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday, underlining Berlin's rising concern about the erosion of fiscal discipline in Europe.
The announcement came as Ms Merkel unveiled a two-year €49.25bn package of growth-boosting measures that, together with steps adopted late last year, will raise to 1.5 per cent of gross domestic product the amount the government plans to spend on fighting the economic crisis this year.

Yes, we are going to return Europe to fiscal discipline. (But not before I slip through this $70 billion spending package).
Germany to ban excessive borrowing [The Financial Times]