I don't disagree

But it doesn't matter how much money you tip into Greece, or how much of the debt is forgiven, because the lack of fiscal responsibility by the Greek government (up to and including a complete failure to tackle corruption, graft and unbelievably wholesale tax evasion) means that there are two choices here:

1. Kick the can down the road. This is achieved by a new deal, more money, forgiving debt, etc.
2. Let it burn. Have no doubt - this will kill people, as hospitals find themselves unable to purchase drugs and equipment. It will be a huge shit sandwich for ordinary Greeks, probably for a decade or more.

So far, the EU has resisted (2) with all its considerable might.

Yes, the troika has been hard on Greece and yes, what is being asked for probably can not and will not be delivered. That certainly satisfies a defensible definition of "unreasonable".

But what is the practical alternative? The Greeks have had decades to show that they can run an economy, and they have signally failed to do so. If you're going to set your retirement age low, as the Greeks have, you need to get your game face on and do some serious tax collection to make sure the pension fund is where it needs to be.

They lied their way into the Euro, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

Post #403,040 by pwhysall 6/29/15 9:39:02 AM Reply	I don't disagree But it doesn't matter how much money you tip into Greece, or how much of the debt is forgiven, because the lack of fiscal responsibility by the Greek government (up to and including a complete failure to tackle corruption, graft and unbelievably wholesale tax evasion) means that there are two choices here: 1. Kick the can down the road. This is achieved by a new deal, more money, forgiving debt, etc. 2. Let it burn. Have no doubt - this will kill people, as hospitals find themselves unable to purchase drugs and equipment. It will be a huge shit sandwich for ordinary Greeks, probably for a decade or more. So far, the EU has resisted (2) with all its considerable might. Yes, the troika has been hard on Greece and yes, what is being asked for probably can not and will not be delivered. That certainly satisfies a defensible definition of "unreasonable". But what is the practical alternative? The Greeks have had decades to show that they can run an economy, and they have signally failed to do so. If you're going to set your retirement age low, as the Greeks have, you need to get your game face on and do some serious tax collection to make sure the pension fund is where it needs to be. They lied their way into the Euro, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Post #403,061 by a6l6e6x 6/29/15 1:23:45 PM Reply	Bring back Ottoman rule! :) Unless that's when the bad habits were learned. The honor guards wouldn't even have to change their uniform. Alex "There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge." -- Isaac Asimov
Post #403,160 by Andrew Grygus 7/1/15 12:44:09 PM Reply	Yes, but the Turks have much fancier outfits. Mehter - Turkish Army Band.
Post #403,161 by boxley 7/1/15 12:49:12 PM Reply	you sure? looks like a shriners convention Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free American and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 59 years. meep

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