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View Full Version : Riots Exploded as Greece Passes Austerity Measures



Conley
02-13-2012, 09:26 AM
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/02/13/world/middleeast/13greece5/13greece5-articleLarge.jpg

After violent protests left dozens of buildings aflame in Athens, the Greek Parliament voted early on Monday to approve a package of harsh austerity measures demanded by the country’s foreign lenders in exchange for new loans to keep Greece from defaulting on its debt.

Though it came after days of intense debate and the resignation of several ministers in protest, in the end the vote on the austerity measures was not close: 199 in favor and 74 opposed, with 27 abstentions or blank ballots. The Parliament also gave the government the authority to sign a new loan agreement with the foreign lenders and approve a broader arrangement to reduce the amount Greece must repay to its bondholders.

The new austerity measures include, among others, a 22 percent cut in the benchmark minimum wage and 150,000 government layoffs by 2015 — a bitter prospect in a country ravaged by five years of recession and with unemployment at 21 percent and rising.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/world/europe/greeks-pessimistic-in-anti-austerity-protests.html

Unemployment at 21%. I didn't realize things were so bad. I wonder if there will come a time in this country when we have to pass similar measures, slashing SS and other programs.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:33 AM
21% is extremely high but Europeans are used to a level of unemployment typically higher than ours. Anyway, what can you do in that situation? Keep spending money you don't have?

Conley
02-13-2012, 09:36 AM
I agree they needed to make cuts I just didn't realize unemployment was that bad. Of course if everyone is already collecting a pension and if unemployment benefits are so great what motivation is there to find a job?

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:40 AM
That's true. It's unconscionable what the first two post war generations have done. As if the bill never comes due...

MMC
02-13-2012, 10:00 AM
I can't believe everyone gets a pension in their Country. The shit that takes the cake is how Greece figured in 14 months to a year. Years and years without ever meeting a budget. Moreover most of their jobs are in the government sector.

All they are doing is kicking the can down the road. plus now the EU is only going to droll out that 130 billion in separate payments. Not in one lump sum. Even EU economists are saying that Greece may have to leave the EU. Despite taking this round of Austerity Measures.

They had to do it to pay off the debt that is due this March. I figured they would approve it for Greece as those others want their money.

Anyone see our Unions in this Country ready to tear up their own cities they are working in? Think the Unions in this Country will follow the Social Democratic Way as in Greece?

Mister D
02-13-2012, 10:05 AM
I'd like to know who exactly the rioters blame for all this?

Conley
02-13-2012, 10:08 AM
I'd like to know who exactly the rioters blame for all this?

Good question. I think most of them are just angry at the man, or the government or some vague entity. Most likely can't put a very coherent argument together. They probably blame the rest of Europe too, for "forcing" them to make these cuts.

Conley
02-13-2012, 10:09 AM
I can't believe everyone gets a pension in their Country. The shit that takes the cake is how Greece figured in 14 months to a year. Years and years without ever meeting a budget. Moreover most of their jobs are in the government sector.

All they are doing is kicking the can down the road. plus now the EU is only going to droll out that 130 billion in separate payments. Not in one lump sum. Even EU economists are saying that Greece may have to leave the EU. Despite taking this round of Austerity Measures.

They had to do it to pay off the debt that is due this March. I figured they would approve it for Greece as those others want their money.

Anyone see our Unions in this Country ready to tear up their own cities they are working in? Think the Unions in this Country will follow the Social Democratic Way as in Greece?

I think this country is still a long way off from rioting. Most people just don't seem to care. To be fair we have a way to go before we're in a predicament like Greece has made for herself.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 10:19 AM
Good question. I think most of them are just angry at the man, or the government or some vague entity. Most likely can't put a very coherent argument together. They probably blame the rest of Europe too, for "forcing" them to make these cuts.


The problem appears to be systemic. Greeks generally are to blame. It won;t do any good to lash out at bogeymen.

Conley
02-13-2012, 10:23 AM
The problem appears to be systemic. Greeks generally are to blame. It won;t do any good to lash out at bogeymen.

Oh I agree, but rioters aren't the most logical of folks.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 10:26 AM
Oh I agree, but rioters aren't the most logical of folks.

:laugh: No, I suppose not.

Chris
02-13-2012, 09:02 PM
This is a natural conclusion to social democracy (socialism lite). OWS has begun to turn riotous.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HequVgLRPUo

MMC
02-13-2012, 09:14 PM
Yeah.....JG had a thread going on that OWS movement in Oakland when they shot that Veteran.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:20 PM
Yeah.....JG had a thread going on that OWS movement in Oakland when they shot that Veteran.

Didn't he get hit in the head with a gas canister? I remember not caring.

MMC
02-13-2012, 09:26 PM
Didn't he get hit in the head with a gas canister? I remember not caring.

I am not sure.....but I remember you disagreeing that it was Oakland Cops wanting to go after Vets as JG was describing.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:28 PM
I am not sure.....but I remember you disagreeing that it was Oakland Cops wanting to go after Vets as JG was describing.

JG's reaction was ridiculous. I think he got hit in the head with a gas canister. I'm obviously not glad it happened but riots can be bad for your health.

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:29 PM
Anyway, this is just lawlessness and pointless mayhem. Socialism creates a society of angry children.

MMC
02-13-2012, 09:31 PM
They were saying that the young people of Greece have a right to be upset since they are going to have to be the ones to pay off all those bailouts.

Up next.....Portugal!

Mister D
02-13-2012, 09:48 PM
They were saying that the young people of Greece have a right to be upset since they are going to have to be the ones to pay off all those bailouts.

Up next.....Portugal!

Sure. I'd be upset too. They really got f****d over but they bought into this system just like their parents. It's not the Bogeyman's fault.

Chris
02-13-2012, 09:54 PM
Yeah.....JG had a thread going on that OWS movement in Oakland when they shot that Veteran.
Shame about the vet, and there's hope for OWS figuring out who their enemy is. It almost happened in a confrontation with Obama:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEEMubFQPKo

Or

http://i.snag.gy/8jkJJ.jpg

(If some of this is old, sorry. :-))

Peter1469
02-13-2012, 10:07 PM
That kid got hit in the head from a rock thrown by his fellow travelers.