These are wild times we are living in. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has changed many things. But above all, it has shown one thing: war is a lucrative business.

Instead of reacting calmly and rationally or even analysing the situation soberly, the immediate reaction was to panic as much as possible. Russian drones here, sabotage there and spies everywhere. A genuine democracy would be characterised by rational analysis, especially at times like this. How did this escalation come about? How can we stop the war as quickly as possible or even end it altogether? How can we prevent future escalations in the long term? What role has our politics played in this conflict in recent decades? Where do we need to criticise others and where do we need to criticise ourselves? None of these questions were asked. The answer to everything was already there: the Russians are to blame, we must arm ourselves and citizens must now accept restrictions on their rights.

Together with the introduction of compulsory military service, school lessons in preparation for war and large-scale armament, the situation paints a picture that is typical of authoritarian systems. Of course, this cannot simply be implemented in this way. People must be put into a permanent state of panic. Because those who are afraid do not think. And so the representatives of democracy outdo each other with their threats. The Russians will attack soon, the Russians will attack tomorrow, the Russians want to conquer the whole of Europe. Anyone who does not share this opinion is immediately defamed as a ‘Putin fan’ or ‘Russian friend’. This form of black and white logic is also typical of authoritarian systems rather than functioning democracies. This black-and-white logic has and will probably affect me too. Unfortunately, the world is not black and white and political answers can rarely be developed with simple ‘you are bad - I am good’ analyses. Unfortunately, you can criticise the reaction of Western countries and at the same time consider Putin to be an autocrat. Who has been brutally exploiting and oppressing his people for many years. Who has brought enormous wealth to a few while at the same time massively increasing poverty for his own people. Personally, I would be just as happy to see Putin fall as I would be to see Trump or Merz fall. But it is hardly possible to say this publicly. Not because you go to prison or are shot on the spot, but because you become socially isolated. You are portrayed as disruptive and labelled. This person doesn't belong to us! Doesn't sound very democratic somehow, time for a song.

But this time also reveals another truth. Capitalism loves war. Because war means endless profits. While some business sectors are experiencing great difficulties, the profit reports of the defence industry and its suppliers are rising from day to day. Even the classification of who is enemy and friend is not so important. Tanks for Germany and technical parts for Russian drones are not a contradiction in terms. Capitalism knows no humanity.

And at the same time, everyone from the Greens to former punks and trade unionists are joining in the war rhetoric. A sad time in which even old heroes die. This mood calls for a song in optimistic German pop style. Because while we wave the German flag and drive the tank to its doom, you can still be in a good mood. After all, one thing is always certain and is never questioned: ‘Kapitalismus ist geil’!