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The Greek Economy Thread


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5 minutes ago, Hudson said:

Somehow it's OK to privatize the profit and socialize the risk....

Of course it's ok!  Really, I thought you're a man of the world.  It's pretty clear though it's not ok in the eyes of most but what can they do about it ?  They know they've been duped.  But nothing short of rioting (and I mean serious prolonged rioting) will sway the governments and institutions that have allowed this to happen to change their approach.  Why they're so hell bent on it, who can say ?  Maybe it's just every man for himself.

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Human beings aren't rational, in the sense of knowing how to use facts and reason a course of action, especially when it comes to their emotional investments.

With the Reform Acts in the second part of the 19th c and early 20th c., Britain allowed the working-class people to vote. Initially the Tories (conservatives) panicked because they thought the working class wouldn't possibly vote for a party that was openly for the elites (economic and social) and a rigid social structure. But, they soon learned that people would absolutely vote against their economic interests even if they could not afford to do so. Why?...

Because, the cons would sell them religion, patriotism, tradition, law and order, and a myth of "anyone and everyone can get ahead" if they played by the rules. Of course, if everyone could indeed get ahead, it'd wouldn't be in the system that was in place.

 

Edited by Hudson
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What's rational ?  To many posters Trump becoming president is irrational.  And yet Trump's victory can be explained in one sentence - f**k you against the establishment.

So if instead Hillary became president would this be a more rational choice by voters ?  Sure, she might throw them some scraps but she's a blue blood.  She couldn't relate to the common man if she tried.

The key thing to note (at least for me) is that a lot of people have lost or are losing faith in the establishment and the political class.  Syriza, Greek Referendum, Brexit, Trump are all results against the establishment.  They may not appear to be logical to some, but to myself they make perfect sense.  Whether I personally agree with the results is of no relevance to what I see is happening.

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@Bananas@Hudson well said. People are angry at the establishment, but they share part of the responsibility.  Even though there are plenty of reasons for people to be angry and agitated, I'm afraid that in the cases you mentioned, the people are being manipulated by demagogues to whip them into an agitated mob and steered into a direction that offers no solutions to their problems.  It's like, let's burn down the house, because there are termites..

When someone is angry, agitated, scared, etc, but without good knowledge or training, they most likely make serious mistakes, rush to judgment, and can be easily manipulated.  Practicing citizenship requires serious and responsible effort.

 

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  • 2 months later...

Great deal indeed.  Same old, kicking the can down the road.  Or was that kicking some pensioners down the road to an early grave ?  And it was a marathon session!  Wow, I could've concluded it in 15 seconds.  EU to Greece "Cut pensions and f**k off with your whining.  Tell your people whatever will placate them.  I don't f**king care".  That's the layman's explanation anyway.  The amazing thing would have been if Greece actually reached a deal that didn't involve bending over and taking it up the koulo ... again.  I see a light at the end of the tunnel, or is that my vision deteriorating ?  Or maybe just my critical thinking.

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Light? I fear that we might not even have begun the journey through the tunnel. I don't get how people in power in Europe can be so callous towards the Greek citizens.

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The political scene is the biggest issue...so to peoples expectations...

Seriously....they are now complaining about shops being required to open on certain Sundays...

I highlighted the problem with this mentality years ago...

To me...the 'Greek lao' is hoping for ALL this to go away..so they can return to 'their ways'..lack of accountability,zero reforms, zero progress...

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I think we need to be working less hours not more, most people can get their work done in less than 8 hours I think. 

If anyone is interested to hear more on bs about work:

 

 

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On 04/05/2017 at 1:27 PM, Tzatziki said:

I think we need to be working less hours not more, most people can get their work done in less than 8 hours I think. 

If anyone is interested to hear more on bs about work:

 

 

the individual can work less than 8 hours...this does not mean shops can't be open 24/7 providing more hours of work for more people..

especially given what Greece needs now is jobs...and this is an easy fix..especially in an economy that has 20 million plus tourists a year...

this is a no brainer for Greece...

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