“austerity” is such a stupid word.
If you don’t keep deficit spending forever, they call it “austerity”
A moderate amount of deficit spending to stimulate job growth is acceptable.
Inflicting massive pain on millions of people with no prospect of an economic recovery in sight is a cruel joke. People might put up with it if there’s light at the end of tunnel.
But if you’re to going drown after all after fighting to keep your head above the water, it makes no sense at all.
I welcome you to give up a third of your income to the government and then tell us this is for your own good. Massive tax hikes are deeply unpopular in Europe and they will not balance any budgets there.