To Bail or Not to Bail Greece Out (merged)

[yubba]

that's too much

[em2nought]

McDonalds could single-handedly save Greece, open a chain similar to Chipolte called Tzatziki

[Gerald]

Greek police have thwarted efforts by striking workers to encircle parliament and block access for MPs due to debate new austerity measures.

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Syntagma Square in Athens.

Prime Minister George Papandreou is trying to push through fresh policies as part of the conditions for the EU and IMF's bail-out package.

Ports, public transport and banks are badly disrupted as the main public- and private-sector unions go out on strike.

State-run companies have also joined the walkout, while hospitals are only offering emergency care. However, airports are operating normally after air traffic controllers called off their strike.

It is the third general strike in Greece this year.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13773148

Note: 15 June 2011 Last updated at 09:40 GMT

[Jimbuna]

Yeah....that's exactly what the Greeks need to resolve their financial plight...a general strike

[Gerald]

.... and the last word has not said yet, another strike, will not solve anything..

[Hottentot]

So uh...what do they want? Based on the media it seems they are protesting against the proposed austerity programme that has been set as the condition for more loan. So is it:

A: More loan, but no austerity?
Or B: No more loan and no austerity?

If it's B, then fair enough. From what I know about their financial situation, it would be a poor choice, but still fair.

If it's A, then I'm inclined to start making internationally recognized hand signs for the second time when it comes to these questions (the first time being when I saw ). In the beginning I was for supporting Greece and other countries, but stuff like this isn't really making it any easier.

[Gerald]

If Greece, had NOT been in EU so they had been more difficult to borrow money, and probably ended up in a situation as Iceland, now they will get some assistance by the IMF and other goodness, with loans of currency, but countries Greece, for example, benefit greatly to be a member of the EU, which in turn affect other countries in the Union should pay, because of a bad government, which acted on bad grounds, and it was long before their accession to the EU.

[Gerald]

The way out of the euro crisis is over Greece's exit from EMU, but only after a lengthy process with more emergency loans to avoid the risk of another financial meltdown a la Lehman Brothers 2008th,I could imagine.

[Gerald]

Protesters fought running battles with the police in central Athens.

Greek PM George Papandreou has proposed a unity government as he tries to win support for austerity measures demanded by the EU and IMF, state TV reports.

Some reports said Mr Papandreou had even offered to step down, in talks with opposition leader Antonis Samaras.

Mr Papandreou has been facing the risk of a revolt in his Socialist party over the controversial austerity package.

Greek police clashed with anti-austerity protesters near parliament, and unions held a general strike.

Mr Papandreou is seeking support for a new austerity programme of 28bn euros (£24.6bn; $40.5bn) in cuts to take effect from 2012 to 2015.

The conservative New Democracy party reportedly demanded that as a condition of agreeing to a unity government, Mr Papandreou should resign and the terms of the austerity package should be renegotiated.

The EU and IMF are demanding the measures in return for the release of another 12bn euros in aid next month that Athens needs to pay off maturing debt.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13783224

Note: Update Record,15 June 2011 Last updated at 16:34 GMT

[yubba]

Gee I must be psychic or psycho a parade for me you shouldn't have...

[Betonov]

There's a true story when one of my countrymen went to Crete and asked a local what's his opinion about loand to Greece, and he asked back: ''you loaned our goverment money??'' ''Yes we did.'' And the reply he got was: ''you are idiots''

A strike would be a bad idea for Greece, but they are protesting because the austerity will hit the poor while the main chefs that cooked this crisis will still be filthy rich.

[kranz]

Today our Prime Minister clearly stated that Poland will support countries of the Euro group (note: we don't have Euro yet) that have fallen into crisis. Our public debt is smth like 55%, Portugal had 70% when they got into a deep...(you know what)
So, I'm kinda looking for a peaceful place outside this sick continent where almost-dead countries (Poland) want to support the already dead ones just to show how really bad we want that bloody Euro.

[yubba]

Socalism has two classes Haves' and Havenots' and, some want that crap here in the states, well maybe not in Wisconsin.

[Gerald]

Having the Euro, is a good option for countries with relatively poor economy, when other countries pay their loans and welfare indirectly, that is, those who are with, the Union.

[yubba]

there I is all the way on the third page