Gerhard Schroeder is getting spanked in German public opinion pools and pop charts:

Schroeder's government of Social Democrat-Greens has slumped dramatically in voter surveys since the Sept. 22 polls after breaking election promises not to raise taxes. It has fallen 10 points behind the opposition in what pollsters call the steepest drop in support for a government since World War II.

On Monday Schroeder announced another new tax on equities and property sales -- which the conservative opposition called the 49th new tax since he was first elected in 1998.

The government said tax increases became necessary because of worsening fiscal conditions discovered after the election.

Did you tell the voters to "read my lips", Ger?

"Never has a German chancellor lied so boldly to the nation as Schroeder did," wrote Friedrich Klages of Negenborn.

Actually, I can think of one other, but Godwin's Law forbids me from naming him.

Let's not let the Reuters reporter, Erik Kirschbaum, off the hook either:

Brandt's song recalls the Beatles' 1966 classic "Taxman" by George Harrison: "If you drive a truck, I'll tax the street; if you try to fix it, I'll tax your seat. If you get a cold, I'll tax the heat; if you take a walk, I'll tax your feet."

Erik, that low moaning and rattling-of-chains you heard during the night was the ghost of George Harrison, mad at you for mangling his lyrics.

Chorus: If you drive a car, car, Harrison: I'll tax the street; Chorus: If you try to sit, sit, Harrison: I'll tax your seat. Chorus: If you gets too cold, cold, Harrison: I'll tax the heat; Chorus: If you take a walk, walk, Harrison: I'll tax your feet.

Link courtesy of InstaPundit.