It is my well-meaning intention to develop this blog to facilitate communication within a network of friends and other netizens, and discuss almost any subject, topical or otherwise, away from the rants and sarcastic remarks seen on most media Websites. Please feel free to either comment or suggest subject matter.
Sunday 5 July 2015
Bernie's Greek Poll
Bernie's Greek Poll
If you were eligible to vote in a Greek referendum today, would you vote 'YES' or 'NO'?
Social gathering places would be quite boring if we all believed that life could be better if we just waited to see the results of the world’s problems ... and simply just smiled and ordered another drink.
Today’s Greek tragedy might well have been authored by Sophocles himself except that the humour would have been better dealt with by William Shakespeare. Not to mention the Germanic complexities of Richard Wagner. Therefore, I find it very difficult to avoid discussion of the matter, especially with its’ ability to create heated debate.
Basically, the Greek political and cultural situation is hardly likely to be settled completely within my lifetime ... even thought I plan to extend it to 99 years. The following essential points should, hopefully, be considered as controversial matters for debate:
* The Greek membership of the EU is illegal. The initial application for membership hid and/or distorted the country’s poor financial situation. Greece would not be a member today if that had been known. Government officials have since admitted this. * Creditors have, and are, blamed for immoral behaviour, but when is there ever a morality clause inserted into the terms and conditions of any business deal. Nevertheless, it is time to forgive (write off) the huge, impossible, interest on these loans. * Greece must increasingly strengthen all levels of the taxation system. The culture of tax avoidance must be seriously dealt with (with EU oversight) as a very serious criminal matter. A variable value added tax would be useful. * The annual income return form must be mandatory, with serious consequences. * A lucrative pension at age 45 is an anathema ... it encourages the culture of extended social welfare by providing an income for a pensioner’s family. Naturally, assistance should be given to those citizens living below the poverty line.
I am sure that someone will consider my prime-minister-for-a-day thoughts debatable.
This comment should have been a new posting but I have the answer to the Greek-EU problem. Yes I do and it will help more than just Greece and Europe. What is my answer you ask? Simply this, we'll send Steven Harper to Greece to be their Prime Minister. Maybe even exchange the guy they have now but probably not a good idea. Steven knows how to please Angela Merkel and he knows how to bs people. For Greece and Canada its win win..
"today" could have been interpreted as 'tomorrow'.
ReplyDeleteIt seems probable that followers to this Blog are unaware of the amount of global contagion that will flow from the inevitable (so called) Grexit.
Perhaps, you are contemplating a Greek vacation next year?
Am I correct?
Social gathering places would be quite boring if we all believed that life could be better if we just waited to see the results of the world’s problems ... and simply just smiled and ordered another drink.
DeleteToday’s Greek tragedy might well have been authored by Sophocles himself except that the humour would have been better dealt with by William Shakespeare. Not to mention the Germanic complexities of Richard Wagner. Therefore, I find it very difficult to avoid discussion of the matter, especially with its’ ability to create heated debate.
Basically, the Greek political and cultural situation is hardly likely to be settled completely within my lifetime ... even thought I plan to extend it to 99 years. The following essential points should, hopefully, be considered as controversial matters for debate:
* The Greek membership of the EU is illegal. The initial application for membership hid and/or distorted the country’s poor financial situation. Greece would not be a member today if that had been known. Government officials have since admitted this.
* Creditors have, and are, blamed for immoral behaviour, but when is there ever a morality clause inserted into the terms and conditions of any business deal. Nevertheless, it is time to forgive (write off) the huge, impossible, interest on these loans.
* Greece must increasingly strengthen all levels of the taxation system. The culture of tax avoidance must be seriously dealt with (with EU oversight) as a very serious criminal matter. A variable value added tax would be useful.
* The annual income return form must be mandatory, with serious consequences.
* A lucrative pension at age 45 is an anathema ... it encourages the culture of extended social welfare by providing an income for a pensioner’s family. Naturally, assistance should be given to those citizens living below the poverty line.
I am sure that someone will consider my prime-minister-for-a-day thoughts debatable.
This comment should have been a new posting but I have the answer to the Greek-EU problem. Yes I do and it will help more than just Greece and Europe. What is my answer you ask? Simply this, we'll send Steven Harper to Greece to be their Prime Minister. Maybe even exchange the guy they have now but probably not a good idea. Steven knows how to please Angela Merkel and he knows how to bs people. For Greece and Canada its win win..
ReplyDelete
DeletePerhaps, you'd also suggest replacing Joe Oliver with Yanis Varoufakis (Finance Minister)?
Sure, Joe can go and take his sour puss with him. I'm sure Harper will miss Joe's nose in his rear if they don't go together.
ReplyDelete