Greece – sick man of Europe
A looming low point in the long history of the Greek empire
It seems the EU is considering whether to bail out Greece, in danger of defaulting on its loans, so high is its debt.
Athens
A spokesman has been quoted as saying “it is unthinkable” that Greece should default and that “something would have to be done.”
I imagine the rest of the EU countries (their citizens at least, those who actually pay the taxes) are not exactly slavering over the prospect of their money being used to bail out yet another organism living beyond its means.
And this is the point, we ALL have to start living within our means: individuals, countries, the planet. ANY other course leads to doom. And as an EU taxpayer I feel very hesitant about bailing out ANY country. Not though lack of fellow-feeling (it could be us next time) but because IF you bail them out then they WON’T change their habits. We bailed out the banks; have you seen THEM change their habits? I certainly haven’t, except that they won’t lend small businesses (the TOTALLY INNOCENT VICTIMS of all this) any money. The obscene fat-cat “bonuses” are starting up all over again like mushrooms in the meadow. No, let them go bust; only that will concentrate their minds.
And let us not forget that Greece LIED about its finances in order to qualify for the EU in the first place! An end to lies! An end to the easy option. An end to my taxes bailing out an indisciplined over-spender!
By Chris Snuggs
Paul Handover
Chris:
No panic. This is not such a bad development.
Indeed the Euro was way too high relative to the Sino-American currency. No doubt the sneaky ones in the arcane vaults of European government monetary and economic policy are delighted to see this “problem” unfold throughout Southern Europe.
After all, after talking softly, for years, it’s time to use a big stick.
One can, and ought to crack down on, Greece, China and the USA. That Northern Europe’s discipline shall be imposed on Southern Europe is good. Just as it is going to be good to dismantle the plutocratic infection in Britain.
PA
Patrice Ayme
February 6, 2010 at 01:43
Well no one could accuse you of having modest ideas!
Paul Handover
February 6, 2010 at 07:24
Modestia “moderation,” from modestus “moderate, keeping measure, sober,” from modus “measure, manner”.
One does not think deeply about common events, least one be an ant…
More seriously, big thinking is for big events. Americans and Chinese did not exert moderation, they kept undercutting Europe with their competitive devaluations. After the dismal Chinese show of raw asinine brutality at Copenhagen, Europe has apparently decided to play hard ball. Good. I tip my hat. It’s a wolf hat I use in the mountains, among the snows.
PA
Patrice Ayme
February 6, 2010 at 12:51
There is BIG trouble coming from China,which is a DiCTATORSHIP. The leadership is worried about its own position in the face of demands for “change” and will certainly play on the people’s innate nationalism instilled into them over generations.
The west’s greed and stupidity have only encouraged China.
My point about Grece is that basically I don’t want my money used to bail them out. I have had my own severe financial problems and nobody has bailed me out …… I only blame myself and the Greeks can and should only blame themselves. We all must live within our means and stop demanding handouts. Unfortunately, the example set re the banks last year was terible … now everyone expects a bail out.
PS Please feel free to mail me out if you insist …..
CS
February 6, 2010 at 13:53
Dear Chris:
Please feel free to be inspired by:
http://patriceayme.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/history-the-enemy-of-the-chinese-dictatorship/
which nicely entangles Wall Street, banks, Hitler, and China…
Patrice Ayme
February 7, 2010 at 14:00
“PS Please feel free to mail me out if you insist …..”
What form of mail out did you want?
Paul Handover
February 6, 2010 at 17:14
Any sort provided it has some bars of gold attached …..
Patrice – thanks for that link to your article. I shall need a while to get my head round it …. it is an absolutely fascinating subject and your article an “out-of-the-box” take on it. It is also one that doesn’t often seem to get talked about much, at least not in the circles I move, though I may of course be moving in the wrong ones.
Chris Snuggs
February 10, 2010 at 15:44