The glory days of communist East Germany aren't over yet, it would appear. Germans new to the idea of capitalism are aiming fear-driven venom at Gerhard Schroeder.

Schroeder is trying to implement economic reforms in Germany, and state welfare cuts are among his plans. This has German voters, especially those in the former East Germany, incensed.

Imagine that - Schroeder, who appealed to the German Left during the last election two years ago, running on a platform of anti-Americanism and opposition to the War in Iraq, is now very unpopular amongst those who were once his most ardent supporters.

I never thought I'd feel sympathy for Schroeder - indeed, I should be exalted at the prospect of Schroeder schadenfreude - but alas, he is making too much sense for me to kick him when he's down. Germany's economy is sluggish and Schroeder has rightly placed part of the blame for that on the fact that his nation is among the most generous of welfare states. The German leader wants to limit unemployment benefits to one year and decrease the amount of benefits that welfare recipients are entitled to.

Unfortunately for Schroeder, his compatriots love welfare more than they love him.