Greece

[Rhodes]

I made Greece Prime Minister George Papandreou spot on to call a referendum to allow the Greek people to decide whether they want an EU bail out or not, what do members think.

[Rhodes]

I see that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou comfortably won a vote of confidence yesterday so he must be doing something right, he's clearly not a yes man like 99.9% of Politicians and wants what's best for his Country and the people

[Big J R]

24 hours can be a very short time in politics.

 

I don't give him very long in power. A Military take-over can't be ruled out of the equation.

[missunderstood]

Beautiful country and have always found the Greeks to be decent and friendly. IMO though, tax evasion is far more socially acceptable in Greece than almost any other European country, which is probably the cause of the difficulties they now find themselves in.

[RalphC]

I see that Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou comfortably won a vote of confidence yesterday so he must be doing something right, he's clearly not a yes man like 99.9% of Politicians and wants what's best for his Country and the people

 

 

How is 153 votes to 145 comfortable?

 

he will be gone before Christmas

[Loose]

Joining the EU was one of the best things Greece ever did, lots of subsidies. Changing to the Euro was the worst since it has crucified their tourist market bringing their exchange rate on a par with the rest of the euro countries.

[RalphC]

He didn't even survive the weekend!

[Rhodes]

I see there is more serious unrest in Greece, where will it all end:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17007761

[NeutralFan]

So if Greece defaults and goes bankrupt how will it affect me? Apart from really cheap holidays .....

[missunderstood]

So if Greece defaults and goes bankrupt how will it affect me? Apart from really cheap holidays .....

 

Because Greece has borrowed money from British banks, and if they default interest rates will go up, as will unemployment in the UK.

[Big J R]

I never voted for the EU and I never wlll !

 

The Greeks joined the union thinking they joined a club with a golden goose. As have one or two other European countries also joined for the same reason.

 

Sorry, but the Krauts and the Frogs will have to sort it out themselves.

 

And while we're on the subject - Maybe, just maybe, we should help Eire out. I know we've had three decades of strife over sovereignty, but now is time to offer the olive branch. Bail Eire out and tell the Euro cheats and crooks to go and get stuffed.

[Rhodes]

I see that, incredibly, bankrupt Greece is considering selling off it's historic islands to the highest bidder in a desperate attempt to pay off some of its debts. Even that is likely to be a drop in the ocean for a Country, and it's arrogant Countrymen, who have lived the high life for far too long and are now paying the ultimate price with a £188 billion bailout millstone around its neck which is just the tip of the iceberg.

[BUFC]

I see that, incredibly, bankrupt Greece is considering selling off it's historic islands to the highest bidder in a desperate attempt to pay off some of its debts. Even that is likely to be a drop in the ocean for a Country, and it's arrogant Countrymen, who have lived the high life for far too long and are now paying the ultimate price with a £188 billion bailout millstone around its neck which is just the tip of the iceberg.

 

Is Gordon Brown in charge?

[missunderstood]

I don't think there's many Greeks that live the high life, and quite a few live in real poverty compared to the majority of us Brits. As usual though it will be the poor that will suffer the most because of the greed and stupidity of their own wealthy countrymen.

[cup of tea]

Because Greece has borrowed money from British banks, and if they default interest rates will go up, as will unemployment in the UK.

 

I believe that British banks are owed £8.2 Billion from Greece - Not a small amount of money just to write off.

 

It also sets a precident for other countries (Spain?) who are in debt to default on paying - that will lead to pressure on the banks who are owed money to these countries and also make it harder for these countries to get finance in the future. It could have a massive effect on the whole of Europe.

 

Someone said help Eire out - We do a lot of trade with Eire and I think it would be a good idea to offer assistance.

[Big J R]

I believe that British banks are owed £8.2 Billion from Greece - Not a small amount of money just to write off.

 

It also sets a precident for other countries (Spain?) who are in debt to default on paying - that will lead to pressure on the banks who are owed money to these countries and also make it harder for these countries to get finance in the future. It could have a massive effect on the whole of Europe.

 

Someone said help Eire out - We do a lot of trade with Eire and I think it would be a good idea to offer assistance.

 

I do SO agree.

 

Incidently, Greece are also considering asking for a third loan.

 

It beggars belief !!

[missunderstood]

I believe that British banks are owed £8.2 Billion from Greece - Not a small amount of money just to write off.

 

It also sets a precident for other countries (Spain?) who are in debt to default on paying - that will lead to pressure on the banks who are owed money to these countries and also make it harder for these countries to get finance in the future. It could have a massive effect on the whole of Europe.

 

Someone said help Eire out - We do a lot of trade with Eire and I think it would be a good idea to offer assistance.

 

I'm in no way condoning the irresponsibility of the Greeks for getting themselves into such a financial mess, but the greedy British bankers that cared more for their obscene bonuses than investigating the financial security of the Greeks are also to blame. A total lack of responsible regulation in the financial sector means we are at least partly to blame for the Greek crisis, so IMO it would be immoral to pull the plug on them just yet.

[Rhodes]

Is Gordon Brown in charge?

That wouldn't surprise me actually

[BUFC]

I'm in no way condoning the irresponsibility of the Greeks for getting themselves into such a financial mess, but the greedy British bankers that cared more for their obscene bonuses than investigating the financial security of the Greeks are also to blame. A total lack of responsible regulation in the financial sector means we are at least partly to blame for the Greek crisis, so IMO it would be immoral to pull the plug on them just yet.

 

I do love a leftie on his soapbox.........

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

It just shows that the Euro is unsustainable.

 

It should be scrapped - you cannot have one currency in countries where some are rich and others are poor. It is plain common sense.

 

Merkel and co. should be fired IMHO.