Greek lawmakers approve austerity bill as Athens burns

Yahoo News ^ | 12 Feb 2012 | Harry Papachristou and Yannis Behrakis

[mandaladon]

"We are facing destruction. Our country, our home, has become ripe for burning, the centre of Athens is in flames. We cannot allow populism to burn our country down," conservative lawmaker Costis Hatzidakis told parliament............We could be heading the same way if Obama is reelected.

[cripplecreek]

Honestly I think we’re heading there even if he isn’t elected. The mess still needs to be cleaned up.

[Adder]

And when this bailout runs out....???

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

I agree with you, provided we can get enough people elected into office with the intestinal fortitude and balls to do it, it will take years of hard work and pain to get us turned around and out of trouble.

[hampdenkid]

I think you can safely remove the word “could’ from your equation. We will be headed in the same direction if Comrade Imam obama is re-elected. And that is precisely what he fully intends to bring about. Only when America lies in ruins can he rebuild upon the ashes the Marxist state he envisions.

[cripplecreek]

Just once I want to hear someone say..

“Its food stamps or bike paths and rain gardens. Choose.”

And then they need to follow it up by explaining why all 3 will need to go in the end.

(Just an example)

[KevinDavis]

I would laugh at them, but we are heading the same direction.

[mandaladon]

....These are the Greek equivalent of OWS burning their own city down.

[cripplecreek]

Exactly and it would take a miracle to prevent it no matter who is elected. I’m just real glad I live in a tiny rural town off the beaten path.

[doug from upland]

We have more voters who are takers than who are producers. Public employees with big pensions and longer lifespans is an unsolvable problem unless those pensions are dramatically reduced. Of course, even though the money isn’t there, those being paid with our tax dollars do not want to hear it. I am afraid buildings are going to burn here. We cannot keep spending huge amounts of money on the phantom of green jobs and things like California’s high speed railroad to nowhere.

Those on the left, led by Obama, want to destroy America as we know it. Are we headed for a second civil war?

[mandaladon]

This is a shining example of a socialist progressive government just what Obama wants for the USA.

[GeronL]

This “austerity” is a drop in the bucket.

The world needs to start over at the Cash on Demand level for a while. That would be one way to fix this.

[Beatthedrum]

This is what is coming to our country, and the reason deep cuts in the national debt are merely words. We are living in an entitlement society and there is a large enough percentage of the population living off the wages of others, that if you cut back, they will riot and pillage.

The occupy-wall street is an indication of the rage and arrogance inherent in the entitlement class. These people are acting like spoiled children, before anything is even taken away from them. Imagine what happens if the government hand outs stop coming. Look at what’s going on in WI, just because Governor Walker wants state employees to pay a little of their wages for health care, like the rest of America.

I’m convinced, more than ever, there are so many people in this country who will revolt if anyone tries to reign in excessive spending, cut back on the benefits they are getting now, that we’re are destined for the same kind of economic collapse we are seeing in socialist Europe. The government regardless of the party in power, will not have to courage to do what has to be done. We are past the point of no return, far too many people dependent on the government.

We are also a country filled with adults who act more like spoiled children like we are seeing in Greece. America has always taken care of it’s disadvantaged, but if you think all the people ripping off the system, people who are capable of working and are not, are simply going to accept anyone cutting off the gravy train and become contributors to society.. you are dreaming.

[familyop]

"Just once I want to hear someone say..

“'Its food stamps or bike paths and rain gardens. Choose.'"

Planning, building and most regulatory offices in most counties of our USA have been idle for some time. Crime rates have generally fallen, and social services offices probably aren't doing much with domestic disputes while doling out so many food stamps (or whatever cards). Wild game hunting and tourism on public lands are also way down in my state. Local commerce offices are probably also not doing much.

Public schools are far less populated, with even rural governments trying to compete for students and HUD recipients. Traffic is way down in tourist areas and will further decrease each year, as the default process goes on.

There's no need for public funding to those huge numbers of local employees--especially out here, in the West.

[Walmartian]

MPs rebel against new bill
Schaeuble warns that promises no longer suffice

http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/10/53243

The die is cast
http://www.athensnews.gr/portal/8/53257

[cripplecreek]

The vast majority of public transportation is funded by people who rarely if ever use it. The people mover in Detroit is rider funded at a rate of around 7% and 25% is considered successful on average nationwide.

There’s unbelievable waste everywhere we turn.

[Bluestocking]

Greece doesn’t need a bail-out, it needs a police force. Apparently, its current police force has gone on strike in solidarity with the rioters, who are the policemen’s fellow government union members.

[redgolum]

Like Greece, the majority of Americans are on the dole in some way or form. We will hit the wall soon no matter what.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

I’m just real glad I live in a tiny rural town off the beaten path.

Amen to that! Me too!

[anonsquared]

We’re headed for ‘Revolutionary War, Part II - The Great Reset’