Off Topic Political Debate

I actually agree with you 100%. It can become a disease.

 

It is, my father suffered from it, apart from that he was a wonderful chap, a good role model.

 

There is going to be purple snow tomorrow ! I actually agree with you on something. However.....what is investment risk and finance capitalism other than gambling, albeit often with other people's lives ? People actually betted large sums on the insolvency of Greece.

 

It was the EU that screwed Greece especially the Germans forcing the ECB to take an intolerable hard line.

 

And now the Greek economy is on the road to recovery. Issuing it's own government bonds, and it is growing faster than the UK economy from it's low base. Still don't think that the Euro was the right road for them to take, they didn't have to, but it seemed like a quick fix, but very slowly they are coming back from the brink.

 

Greece cannot recover with that level of debt. My Greek building inspector has described some pretty awful scenes on his recent return to his homeland. He is adamant in blaming the eurocrats for getting them into such a mess.

 

The Greeks were in a mess long before they joined the EU. They regarded it as a way out of their problems without taking account of the rules.

Interesting that you have a Greek building Inspector.

 

If they were in such a mess why did the EU lend them large amounts? It was irresponsible and selfish just to extend the reach of 'the project'.

 

One .... you can always recover.... it is built in humanity's genes.... Greece is not terminal

Two....My sister in law is really struggling with her language school on one of the Islands... she now has to pay tax! On the other hand her income has plummeted as people cant afford language classes

Three.... Her husband is a retired policeman and has had a 40% pension cut.... another example of individuals paying for the mistake of politicians.

Four... There is no real sense of blaming of the EU by local people, certainly the ones we met in early summer, they blame corrupt governments

 

The Greek govts lied.... surely you have seen that?

 

When large amounts of money is lent there is normally always a process called 'due dilligence'. No lender, ever, in my experience has lent on the say so of the borrower.

At the time both France and Germany were breaking the EU rules which is why they may have turned a blind eye, it is still irresponsible behaviour. Since Greece's demise the IMF have ben most supportive, a stark contrast to the EU and ECB's attitude.

 

Greece has had a tax evasion problem since time immemorial - even now there is an estimated 30 Billion Dollars lost in tax evasion every year. Greece may be poor, but there are thousands of rich Greeks, shipping magnates etc. How much of their money is locked away in tax oasis's such as London. If we really want to help Greece - then help them recover their money.

 

You are much nearer those responsible for the Greek's current plight. Have a word with mummy.

 

The Tories snuck this out rather quietly yesterday - Cabinet Office accounts for 2016/17. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...a/file/646960/page_87_expenditure.csv/preview

Agency staff - £43.8 million
Staff perks - $8.86 million

And this - https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...data/file/646841/CO_Annual_Report_2016-17.pdf

Page 89 - £0.54 million 'Public Duty Costs' for Blair, Brown, Major, Cameron - and Clegg has been added too.

Austerity my arse...

 

I not that you again use language not suited to this board.... and then will no doubt cry out when someone calls you something offensive...you always become more insulting when you drink

 

Pardon? They call Merkel 'mummy' in Germany.

 

I will accept an apology.

 

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How do you come to the conclusion that they use English words when describing Merkel ?