Acropolis Now

[Furunculus]

My first post in the backroom! Yay!

I don't think you should blame the people of Greece too much for not paying taxes, really. The main problem is probably found in the extreme political corruption rather than in some tax-evasion- culture. For example, a Greek friend of mine told me how, when a new mayor was elected in her town, one of the mayor's relatives suddenly got a large luxurious villa that he couldn't possibly afford. It was quite obvious that it was funded with the tax payers' money. If this is common, then it's quite understandable that people aren't too eager to pay their taxes. In order to be willing to pay your taxes you have to feel that you actually contribute to society. If I knew that my money just ended up in the politicians' pockets, then i wouldn't pay taxes either.

people are responsible for the democracy they live in.

greece should never have been let in, that it was is indication of the projects political ambitions over and above its economic sense.

[tibilicus]

people are responsible for the democracy they live in.

greece should never have been let in, that it was is indication of the projects political ambitions over and above its economic sense.

I have found in the past that your probably slightly more right thinking when it comes to the EU than me but your spot on here.

Greece was rotten when it first entered and not much has changed since then. In fact, arguably some of the newer members which joined in 2004 are less corrupt and more economically stable than Greece and some of the others that joined in the 80s. Point being the desire for European integration has clearly been put before the interests of an stable European market, something which arguably was the principle reasoning behind forming the EEC/EU.

it's just as well I guess then that the Uk has left its distance between the European market and our own independent market. The fact that the Eurozone is so heavily reliant on Germany, France and the other big players isn't a healthy situation at all. The whole idea of the single currency was that it would allow the lesser European economies to grow and would perhaps take away the responsibility of the bigger economies to hold down a stable currency. This clearly hasn't happened and as a result these nations are left to pay the bill thanks to Greece's reckless corruption and inability to act as a coherent member of the EU. If I was the Germans I would of just kicked them out..

[Beskar]

Greece was rotten when it first entered and not much has changed since then. In fact, arguably some of the newer members which joined in 2004 are less corrupt and more economically stable than Greece and some of the others that joined in the 80s. Point being the desire for European integration has clearly been put before the interests of an stable European market, something which arguably was the principle reasoning behind forming the EEC/EU.

Stable market requires stable politics. Apparently there is going to be a run on the pound because of coalition talks. Have you ever wondered "Why?". Why would Britain suddenly get in trouble economically, over something politically? It is because they are both interconnected.

To solve the greek problem, they need to address the economic crisis politically, enforcing regulation amongst other things to make sure it doesn't happen again. The thing with this, this integration is bad and should be stopped, which those of a more nationalist view subscribe to.

It is a circle that goes around. People should seriously address what they want, in terms of pro's and con's then make a decision on it.

[tibilicus]

Stable market requires stable politics. Apparently there is going to be a run on the pound because of coalition talks. Have you ever wondered "Why?". Why would Britain suddenly get in trouble economically, over something politically? It is because they are both interconnected.

To solve the greek problem, they need to address the economic crisis politically, enforcing regulation amongst other things to make sure it doesn't happen again. The thing with this, this integration is bad and should be stopped, which those of a more nationalist view subscribe to.

It is a circle that goes around. People should seriously address what they want, in terms of pro's and con's then make a decision on it.

Hence the "corruption" reference. The problem is that if the Greeks decide in their next election (whenever that is) to vote in a party in favour of overturning austerity measures, the Eurozone is in big trouble. Perhaps the bigger issue right now though is to stop Portugal and Spain going under. If that happens the markets will be in effective meltdown.

[gaelic cowboy]

@ tibilicus next election in Greece is in 2014 I would say seeing as new government was sworn in after the crisis spluttered into view they last crowd resigned cos they had no mandate but tbh I think they cut and ran so they can pretend the other side ruined Greece. To there utter eternal disgrace the previous incumbents who broke the country voted against the bailout in a totally populist move the last day.