Greece Is the Word

Greece. It's the cradle of modern civilization. And now it is hell bent on digging the grave of modern civilization.

The European debt crisis is serious business and Greece is at the eye of the storm. Of all places, Greece should take the matter most seriously since the Greek economy is the main cause of trouble.  Instead, they are treating it like a joke.

The Greek government announced that they will be putting the recommended, and very necessary, austerity measures to a referendum.  What the Greek government is really saying is "we lack the political fortitude to agree to these measures, and similarly lack the will to take responsibility for our own mess."  Instead, they are putting it to the people.  You have exactly two guesses as to what the result will be...and one guess doesn't count.

The people are going to reject the austerity measures.  What they are really saying is: "It's in the world's best interest to not let us fail, no matter how hard we try.  So, why should we break our backs to fix things when we can just sit back and enjoy the sunshine while you continuously bail us out?"

These are the same people who, by and large, have been habitually neglecting to pay any taxes for years...and the government has let them get away with this gross dereliction of duty!  Greece is a relatively socialist country.  Socialist government requires heavy taxation to fund the extensive social programs.  The people of Greece were all too happy to partake of the social programs, but somehow felt too put upon to pay their taxes.  Who did they think was going to pay for all those cushy social programs?

Besides, austerity is hard!  Their recent behaviour -- as it relates to taxes -- shows that the Greek people are all about taking the easy way out.  By not pursuing habitual tax evaders the government enabled the public's misbehaviour.  Really, why would anyone in their right mind choose the hard path when presented another option?  The trick here is that there is no other option!  They will reject the measures in favor of no solution at all!

The message is clear.  Let someone else clean up our mess.  It's not our problem.

The rest of the world begs to differ.  Sorry, folks, no one is going to pay you to do nothing.  In fact, no one is going to do anything more for you.  Your fellow European Union member countries and banks are already bending over backwards to help you!  You committed the 'crime', it's your turn to do the time.  Your years of living fat have come back to haunt you.  Your government can pass the buck to your unwilling public in hope of finding an excuse to keep you, the Greek voters, from ousting them in the next election, but it won't do them, or you, any good.

In the real world you don't get to walk away from your responsibilities without repercussions.  If you accept these measures in the much too delayed referendum, and if you accept it I'll eat my hat, you'll suffer some economic hardships.  If you refuse them, you'll suffer more.  Have you really considered what the alternatives are?  Here are some possibilities.

* Ejection from the EEU.  Your former friends will call in their loans and you won't be able to pay.  Welcome to the Third World.  That will lead to...

* The collapse of the Greek currency and bank system.  Actually, since you tossed out the Drachma in favour of the Eurodollar you don't even have a currency to collapse!  (Therein lies the biggest part of the problem!)  Massive poverty and starvation follows, with little hope for improvement short of charity from wealthy nations.  Since you were the architects of your own demise, unlike the true Third World, don't expect much sympathy.

* A complete loss of sovereignty and independence.  If you're lucky, some neighbouring country will peacefully absorb your sorry asse(t)s and rescue you.  You'll probably be marginalized in the new joined state and will be unlikely to ever see the same socioeconomic power you enjoy now in your children's children's lifetimes.  If you refuse that too, then prepare for war, with no ability to pay or supply your soldiers.  Surely at least one of your (wealthy) neighbours covets your natural resources and will be only too happy to take them by force, especially since you can't really afford to do anything to resist their military might.  After all those years of fighting to regain sovereignty and independence you're now ready to throw it away and over what?  A need for laziness?  An insistence upon corruption? A refusal to accept responsibility?  Individual greed?

Wake up and smell the καφές!  Do what's right, take responsibility, save yourselves or be prepared to truly suffer.