‘Karl Marx’ Making a Comeback in Germany — In the Form of a Credit Card
- Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:28am by
Mike Opelka
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Imagine using a credit card emblazoned with the image of Karl Marx, a man who is known for saying things like:
“The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope.”
Marx is often credited with making that anti-capitalist statement. Curiously, it is his image that is the most popular one on a credit card from a German Bank.
Sparkasse Chemnitz Bank actually offered customers a choice of ten images they could put on their personal MasterCards. After the votes were counted, Marx’s image was the clear winner. To be more accurate, Marx won by a landslide, easily beating out choices like a castle, a racetrack, and a palace.
How is this possible? Perhaps the location of the bank holds a clue. It happens to be in a part of the country that used to belong to the Communist state of East Germany. A report from Reuters quotes a 2008 survey that said a majority of Germans living in the eastern part of the country did not believe in the Free Market system.
“The east has witnessed a wave of nostalgia in recent years for aspects of the old East Germany, or DDR, where citizens had few freedoms but were guaranteed jobs and social welfare,” Reuters says.
But the popularity doesn’t end there.
“We‘ve even received inquiries from clients in western German states asking whether they could open a local account with us to get a card bearing Marx’s features,” bank spokesman Roger Wirtz told Reuters.
But Forbes writer Tim Worstall, who has worked in the region recently, says he’s not convinced its a longing for the old system.
“As I say, my general impression is that people are quite happy to think of the past warmly, remember the good and gloss over the bad,” he writes. “But almost no one actually wants to go back to anything like the old system. A Karl Marx credit card is a fun thing to have: the Stasi less so.”
Still, there appear to be signs that some Germans still long for the days when Karl Marx’s face adorned the 100-Mark notes. At least they can have him on their credit cards.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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unwine
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 6:23pmgotta love ol’ karl
Report Post »Wringeaux
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:50amWhat ! Hitler wasn’t a choice ?
Report Post »AintLIBSjuzGreat
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 12:12pmOh my, no mention of the millions of soviets who starved to provide the false image.Moscow wanted the west to see how wonderful commy marxism is and funneled billions in welfare to prop up east germany GEEEZ history people
Report Post »dmerwin
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:22pmLet me guess, other people pay the bill?
Report Post »Joe Bonham
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:30pmLooks like American Conservatives are almost as scared of Karl Marx as they are of Charles Darwin.
Report Post »Lord_Frostwind
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:21pmActually, I think a Credit Card with Karl Marx across it is the ultimate insult to every doctrine that moron instilled in society. After all, isn’t the credit card the ultimate tool of the Capitalist system? I think it deserves a place next to the Che Guevara advertisement collection.
Report Post »iratd
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:19pmTime to put the wall back up….
Report Post »TopAssistant
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:46pmI bet Obama and Clinton will get one.
Report Post »ROB RAGE
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:44pmThe Germans are showing their Masochistic tendencies….They got their Butt’s kicked by the Commies in World War 2…There must be enough Marxists in the Former East Germany to find these cards appealing..!
Report Post »red2013
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:30pmMarxism/socialism/communism is a diabolical and atheistic religion that should be rejected in a society.
Report Post »millions of people around the world lost their lives because of this ideology which was/is based on a class struggle. Theoretically, it has great appeal to youngsters. Its aim of creating an earthly paradise “utopia” was/is an illusion that could never happen. I hope the Germans who have suffered from this ideology would take a precaution so that this ideology will not be accepted again be it in East Germany (DDR) or /and in any part of Germany. Marx image should not be seen on a master card or on anything that could bring back some sort of nostalgia to those who may still believe in communism. Those who call themselves “progressives” should reject Marxism as an ideology or/and economic system and embrace the capitalist system for the progress of our economy and also in order to create a harmonious relationships among our own people. Divided we fail. There is strength in unity.
Kathleen
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:57pmI bet those people like bondage as well.
Report Post »wkw58
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:46pmThat is just too rich!!! Sarkasse Chemnitz & Mastercard…..priceless.
Report Post »KidCharlemagne
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:32pmA harmless image stamped on the front of a credit cart is really Inconsequential though….
I’m more worried about the significant influence over the U.S. economy that Karl Marx retains to this very day:
————————————————————-
2. “A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.” (16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution)
5. “Centralisation of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.” (Federal Reserve Act of 1913)
Report Post »http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Communist_Manifesto
joe alexich
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:13pmAdd your comments
Report Post »joe alexich
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 2:12pmWe should put Obama’s name on all the link cards in Illnois.
Report Post »murahu
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:14pmAn important fact missing from the story – during the era of East Germany (DDR), the city of Chemnitz was renamed as Karl Marx Stadt of Karl Marx City. People who were raised in KMCity might have a feeling of nostalgia and be delighted to have a KM credit card. However, I doubt if many would vote to have Stassi (secret police) on their credit cards.
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 1:56pmI do not agree with Marx on anyhting, except one TRUTH he stated. Religion is an OPIATE for the masses! How sadly true. Thank the Lord we have salvation through repentance, and belief in Christ Jesus. Decidledly NOT a religion, but an offer of a PERSONAL relationship with HIM! We can do NOTHING excpet this. NO amount of Good works,deeds are sufficient. Eph Ch 2 V 8 & 9.
Report Post »Maranatha
MRMANN
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:33amHeil! Jawohl!
Report Post »tckid17
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:57amRevolution, millions of dollars and lives.
Glorifying Dead Communist figures, PRICELESS
For everthing else there’s MASTERCARD
Report Post »Carlinpa
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:51amThere is some irony in this, isn’t there?
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:07amFreedom trumps Marx- we will die for that truth.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:34amGreat ? Quotes from Karl Marx
From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs
Democracy is the road to socialism
Workers of the world unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains.
The way people get their living determines their social outlook
The first requisite for the happiness of the people is the abolition of religion
The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all private property
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:09amMarx-the death man cometh to all because of useful idiots.
Report Post »red2013
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:04pmMarx, Engels and Lenin were the cause for the death of millions of people around the world. Theoretically, some aspect of their ideology seems “harmless.” However, Marxism/socialism/communism is a diabolical atheistic religion that should be totally rejected in a society. Its aim of creating an earthly paradise “utopia” has totally failed and will never ever happen.
Report Post »Marx theory has an appeal to youngsters who are not matured enough to know the devastation it brought to human and material resources around the globe wherever it was tried. I hope the Germans will discourage even the appearance of Marx on a master card for their own good.
JeramyCLE
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:15amThe irony in this is great … Marx would probably have a stroke if he saw his face plastered onto an icon (for good or bad) of capitalism. I -choose- to believe at least some Germans are getting this for humor’s sake.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:51am“For every $1000.00 you spend…you get high….MARXX” lol!!
Report Post »heyjim55
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 11:42amCorrect I have friends in Germany and that is how it is being viewed over there, most die hard Communist’s are furious over it.
Report Post »Scharfschuetze
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:08am“How is this possible? Perhaps the location of the bank holds a clue. It happens to be in a part of the country that used to belong to the Communist state of East Germany. A report from Reuters quotes a 2008 survey that said a majority of Germans living in the eastern part of the country did not believe in the Free Market system.”
Report Post »Duh. The city of Chemnitz, where this bank is headquartered, was renamed “Karl-Marx Stadt” during the DDR (East Germany). It was restored to its original name after reunification in 1990.
In the eastern Länder (states) former SED or communist party leaders hold many powerful positions, Germans in the east long for the old days when they relied on the socialist state for everything, and didn´t have to deal with the uncertainties of a capitalist system.
lukerw
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:01amWhy… we have tied our Fortunes… to these Socialist Nations… is reflected directly in the Secret Socialist Leaders that we Elect from Both Political Parties!
Report Post »joe conservative
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:28amIt’s even more amazing that people from the former East German state would embrace this. Even today if you stand where the wall stood, the difference from one side to the other is still quite noticeable. The people on the East side lived in horrible conditions. Be careful what you wish for people, you just might get it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KYopiOWbjs
Report Post »barber2
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:00amSo they are missing life under the control of the old Communists , Pravda and the Stasi ? Wish we could send them our Obama Lap Dog Media and the Holder DOJ.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:47amWhen Marx gets popular in Deutschland, you can count on the rise of National Socialism to combat it. Haven’t we already seen this movie?
Report Post »BSdetector
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 8:05amGood, maybe they’ll kill each other off for good this time.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on June 19, 2012 at 12:08pmIf history repeats, that’s not what happens.
Report Post »