For the benefit of my mother I am writing a blog on the results of the crisis and 7 long years of austerity on the Greek people. We were a prosperous bunch even in 2008 and 2009. Our banking system as well as our pension system were on solid grounds and had not invested in the toxic products of the day that sent other economies spiraling into a crash. Regardless of the events that took place then and have been well hidden and obscured we would have recovered fully if not for a stubborn policy of austerity that has been set in stone here in Europe. The way that the monetary union runs its checks and balances on its nation memebers guarantees that a shrinking economy will shrink even more. The less money that pours into a nation the less money it is entitled to in transfer payments. Imagine Newfounland with its fisheries closed back in the nineties having an austerity program forced upon her and then as a result of her shrinking GDP having her transfer payments cut. After the referendum and its resounding no response Prime Minister Tsipras went back to the negotiating table in Brussels with a new resolve. Our German partners also strenthened their resolve against the only left wing government in the European Union and called a meeting of all 22 members in an attempt to exclude Greece from Europe altogether. Tsipras buckled under the threats of a forced bankruptcy that would include confiscation of all bank accounts and underwritten properties. Oland did not miss the opportunity to make a speech in favour of Greece stating that their could be no Europe without Greece. However no commitment beyond that very eloquent speech. Silly man.
France is on fire these days and only the flooding momentarily stopped the riots, strikes and upheavels. Having the Eurocup hosted in France was probably the reason Oland and the ruling class decided to tinker with labour legislation now. The rules of the game are changing everywhere in the EU and France too has to tow the line. French trade unions and the public in general have a different and more defiant idea. The country has come to a full stop and only the riot police are not on strike. I wish there was an explanation for the riot police. I can find none. Maybe they feel that they share power with the elite. Maybe it is the bonus danger pay. Whatever the case they always seem to have endless energy to beat people with their batons and spray them with their tear gas like some kind of pest control professional.
In the meantime the Brits have found the most brilliant answer to all their European Union problems. Just leave. Brexit it is called and it is gaining momentum fast. I have a feeling it will reach the 60 percent mark, just like the Greek referendum did. After that European Union will be no more. People will have to get used to big changes. After so much tinkering with democracy I think that is the order of the day.
