Write For The Swamp Today
Share your thoughts with The Swamp community – and get paid for your work!
The Swamp has now joined the Vocal platform, allowing politics lovers and citizens from around the globe to amplify their voice, views, criticisms, and experiences to a politically inclined community for the people, by the people.
What Is The Swamp?
From policy analysis to presidential profiles to the history of government, The Swamp is the digital town square for all things politics. Take a stance, and follow us into The Swamp.
How Do I Write for The Swamp?
Simply create an account once at https://shopping-feedback.today/a%3E. After creating and assembling your post, submit it to The Swamp. Write as often as you like!
How Do I Get Paid?
Through Vocal, posts are rewarded based on performance metrics that correlate into financial compensation. With a digital dashboard, you can monitor your post’s (and your wallet’s) success. The more reads your content receives, the more money you make. All transactions are done through the ultra secure Stripe; we never have access to any of your financial information.
Why Publish My Work on The Swamp?
The Swamp helps your content be shared with people who are interested in reading it. The community serves to share and amplify everyone’s content—key for being rewarded for your work. Instead of publishing on a blog, where you have to create your own audience, or a huge general interest site—where your work can get lost—The Swamp comes with a built-in audience. Everyone here is already interested in what you have to say.
Read and share the community’s work while they read and share yours.
We look forward to reading your first submission. Welcome to The Swamp team.
About the Creator
The Swamp Staff
Citizens in the digital town square that is politics. Left Wing, Right Wing, (and X-Wing supporters), we represent the wide spectrum of humanity and its beliefs.
Keep reading
More stories from The Swamp Staff and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
Introducing "Dear Donald"
Introducing "Dear Donald", the first collection for The Swamp community. Submit your open letters to Donald Trump, the President of the United States. Love him or hate him, your voice needs to be heard. Vocal is committed to delivering your message. From tweeting to SEO optimization, the Vocal team uses all communication mediums at our disposal to raise your voice, to have your concerns heard and your praises conveyed.
By The Swamp Staff9 years ago in The Swamp
Germany News: Merz Issues Business SOS in Letter to Allies
Germany, long regarded as the economic engine of Europe, is facing mounting pressures that have prompted an unusually direct appeal from one of its most influential political figures. Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has reportedly issued what many are calling a “business SOS” in a letter addressed to Germany’s allies. The message is clear: Germany’s economic model is under strain, and without coordinated action and strategic support, the country risks losing its competitive edge in an increasingly fragmented global economy. A Warning From the Heart of Europe Merz’s letter comes at a critical moment. Germany is grappling with sluggish growth, high energy costs, declining industrial output, and growing concerns among businesses about long-term stability. For decades, German prosperity has rested on strong exports, reliable energy supplies, and deep integration into global supply chains. Recent shocks—ranging from geopolitical conflicts and energy disruptions to trade tensions and technological competition—have exposed vulnerabilities in that model. By reaching out directly to allies, Merz signals that Germany’s challenges are no longer purely domestic. Instead, they have broader implications for Europe and the transatlantic partnership. A weakened German economy could ripple across the European Union, affecting everything from employment and investment to political stability. The Core Concerns of German Business At the heart of Merz’s message is the growing alarm among German businesses. Industrial leaders have repeatedly warned that energy prices remain uncompetitive compared to those in the United States and parts of Asia. The transition away from Russian gas, while necessary from a security standpoint, has imposed significant costs on manufacturers—particularly energy-intensive sectors such as chemicals, steel, and automotive production. In addition, companies are struggling with bureaucratic hurdles, labor shortages, and slow digitalization. Many firms report that investment decisions are being delayed or redirected abroad, raising fears of deindustrialization. Merz’s letter reflects these anxieties, emphasizing that Germany cannot afford to lose its status as a manufacturing powerhouse. A Call for Allied Cooperation Rather than framing the situation as a purely national failure, Merz stresses the importance of allied cooperation. He reportedly urges Germany’s partners to recognize the interconnected nature of modern economies. Coordinated energy strategies, fair trade policies, and aligned industrial frameworks are presented as essential tools to stabilize Europe’s economic core. This appeal also carries a strategic undertone. As the United States invests heavily in domestic industry through subsidies and incentives, European businesses worry about being left behind. Merz’s message implicitly calls for closer coordination to ensure that global competition does not undermine European unity or distort markets in ways that disadvantage German and EU firms. Political Implications at Home Domestically, the letter strengthens Merz’s position as a champion of business interests and economic realism. As Germany debates its future economic direction, the CDU leader is positioning himself as a voice of urgency and pragmatism. His intervention contrasts with what critics describe as slower, more cautious approaches from the current governing coalition. By publicly raising the alarm, Merz also puts pressure on policymakers to accelerate reforms. Issues such as tax competitiveness, infrastructure investment, and regulatory simplification are likely to gain renewed attention. The “business SOS” framing suggests that incremental changes may no longer be sufficient. Europe’s Broader Economic Crossroads Germany’s struggles reflect a wider European dilemma. The continent is navigating a complex transition toward greener energy, digital transformation, and strategic autonomy—all while competing with major powers that are willing to deploy aggressive industrial policies. Merz’s letter highlights the risk that Europe could fall behind if coordination falters. For many observers, the appeal underscores the need for a more coherent European economic strategy. If Germany weakens, the EU’s ability to act as a global economic and political force could diminish. In that sense, the letter is not just about Germany’s businesses, but about Europe’s place in a rapidly changing world. What Comes Next? The immediate impact of Merz’s letter will depend on how allies respond. Whether it leads to concrete policy shifts or remains a symbolic gesture is yet to be seen. However, it has already succeeded in drawing attention to the severity of Germany’s economic challenges. For German businesses, the hope is that this public warning accelerates action—both at home and abroad. For Europe, the message is sobering: the stability of its largest economy cannot be taken for granted. Conclusion Friedrich Merz’s business SOS letter marks a significant moment in Germany’s economic debate. It reflects deep concern within the business community and signals that Germany’s challenges have become a shared international issue. As economic uncertainty grows, the call for allied cooperation may prove crucial in determining whether Germany—and Europe—can adapt and thrive in the face of global competition.
By Fiazahmedbrohi 5 days ago in The Swamp
Center Stage with Gina C.
*** I'm keen to republish the interviews I did for my series with Vocal creators. It's been a few years and I thought it might be nice to revisit these wonderful conversations. I'll be releasing them one at a time for a few weeks/months.
By Heather Hubler5 days ago in Interview
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.