A lot of other European countries depended on Russian gas. Some even more than Germany. That’s not the main reason for the slow recovery from COVID and the energy crisis. Germany let a lot of it’s infrastructure rot and is now facing the consequences. Additionally there are ideological debt restrictions in place, hindering the government to start a stimulus program, while a lot of other countries are doing exactly that.

Why yes they can. Spike tires are a thing. Then again for the vast majority of people that is really not a problem for 360 day a year.

Long stints in jail are expensive.

There are limits on how well you can train a dry nosed monkey to drive a car.