I don't think his point is that the German middle class suffers as a result of their model. I think he is just saying that Germans accept a high (compared the U

I don't think his point is that the German middle class suffers as a result of their model. I think he is just saying that Germans accept a high (compared the U.S.) level of direct taxes on the middle class to enable their way of life, and that we would need to accept the same deal here in the U.S. if we want the same outcome.