'It's a war between people and capitalism'

[marmar]

Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras: 'It's a war between people and capitalism'
Greece's eurozone fate may now be in the hands of the 37-year-old political firebrand and his Syriza party

Helena Smith in Athens
guardian.co.uk, Friday 18 May 2012


"I don't believe in heroes or saviours," says Alexis Tsipras, "but I do believe in fighting for rights … no one has the right to reduce a proud people to such a state of wretchedness and indignity."

The man who holds the fate of the euro in his hands – as the leader of the Greek party willing to tear up the country's €130bn (£100bn) bailout agreement – says Greece is on the front line of a war that is engulfing Europe.

A long bombardment of "neo-liberal shock" – draconian tax rises and remorseless spending cuts – has left immense collateral damage. "We have never been in such a bad place," he says, sleeves rolled up, staring hard into the middle distance, from behind the desk that he shares in his small parliamentary office. "After two and a half years of catastrophe Greeks are on their knees. The social state has collapsed, one in two youngsters is out of work, there are people leaving en masse, the climate psychologically is one of pessimism, depression, mass suicides."

.........(snip).........

Tsipras, who turns 38 in July, wants me to know that the war is not personal. The enemy is not Berlin, until now the biggest provider of the monumental rescue funds keeping the debt-stricken economy afloat. "It is not between nations and peoples," he says. "On the one side there are workers and a majority of people and on the other are global capitalists, bankers, profiteers on stock exchanges, the big funds. It's a war between peoples and capitalism … and as in each war what happens on the frontline defines the battle. It will be decisive for the war elsewhere." ................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/18/greek-leftist-leader-alexis-tsipras

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. Capitalism defeated Communism in Soviet Russia

and Democracy in the United States. -Unknown

[BOG PERSON]

2. n/t

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. The 1% Gets 93% Of The Nation's Growth From The Recovery

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-03-09/news/31138748_1_income-growth-incomes-rise-economic-recovery

We were recently heartened by news that unemployment had reached its lowest point in the last four years.

Until we saw this recent study cited in The Wall Street Journal.

University of California at Berkeley economics professor Emmanuel Saez analyzed the income gains and losses of the 1% over the last two economic growth periods and recessions.

And … yikes. From 2009-2010, the 1% captured 93% of the income growth. Seriously. 93%.

[Angry Dragon]

3. +31,687

[marmar]

4. Priceless.

nt

[TomClash]

12. Franny Liebowitz

What a hoot she is!

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. Thank you!

[RainDog]

5. same as it ever was n/t

[kentuck]

7. The birthplace of democracy...

could it be the place for the re-birth of democracy? Something tells me Greece is only the first in a long line to follow...

[FarCenter]

8. It could restore the Spartan form of government

[kentuck]

10. Hence, the phrase...

a Spartan existence?

[FarCenter]

14. Sparta was controlled by kings and an oligarchy

A subgroup of the oligarchy formed something like a Politburo.

There was the general assembly of Spartan citizens. They would have been the military males.

[socialist_n_TN]

11. I thought that was what the IMF was doing........

nm

[Starry Messenger]

9. k&r