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| Netphen, Nordrhine-Westfalen February, 2012 |
A brief examination of voluntary associations in Germany provides a stark reminder of the changing nature of American society.
Voters throughout North
Rhine Westphalia will go to the polls tomorrow morning to decide
whether to keep the current ruling coalition of Social Democrats
(SPD) and Greens in power, or to replace it with a government led by
the Conservatives (CDU). While this election offers an insight into
the mood of the local electorate during these turbulent times, a
better understanding of the true underpinnings of German society can
be gleaned from spending a few hours at the Leimbachstadion watching
the Siegen Sentinels, shooting pool with the 'Magic Queue' at JoJo's
pub, or by heading up to Dortmund or over to Munich to watch the
finals of the German Cup.
