@I Ain't Spartacus - why Germany's growth has been similar
Germany has the strongest economy in the EU. Just because the EU as a whole has been lagging doesn't mean some places won't be well above average, and others well below average. Just like in the US the recovery wasn't evenly distributed amongst all 50 states, but some states experienced a strong recovery relatively quickly (oil & farm related economies) and others are still lagging (rust belt states like Michigan still suffering the aftereffects of the downsizing of the US automotive industry)
Biting the hand that feeds IT
