Austerity cuts in Greece cause suffering

[blindpig]

Austerity cuts in Greece cause suffering

"Greeks of all walks of life have become increasingly angry at measures they feel only hurt the poorest while tax evaders and corrupt politicians remain unaffected," reported Reuters on Oct 20.

Tens of thousands of protesters surrounded the parliament building as, inside, ruling socialists and the center right New Democracy party joined for final passage of yet another austerity package aimed at satisfying big bank creditors and preserving euro-zone credibility. They are obeying European Union political leaders in what observers think is a futile attempt to stave off national bankruptcy.

The plan calls for raised taxes, hits against labor rights, removal of more public sector jobs, and public workers' salary cuts of up to 40 percent. The Greek people are victims of policies, says the Greek Communist Party, that "will lead them and their children to live for decades in the most bleak misery with starvation wages, unemployment, insecurity, without basic rights, in order to protect the profits and interests of the business groups from their crisis."

Recent data suggestive of present and potential deterioration in the population's health status suggest this is by no means a wild prediction. An article appearing recently in the British Lancet medical journal ascribes both physical and mental suffering to budgetary cutbacks over three years that have deprived people of essential services.

more....

http://peoplesworld.org/austerity-cuts-in-greece-cause-suffering/

[blindpig]

1. kick

[durablend]

2. Sounds just like what this country needs!

:sarcasm:

[dkf]

3. They should go to an electronic payment system where revenues can be tracked.

If they want to get rid of tax evasion, paying cash is pretty foolish.

[blindpig]

4. They are way ahead of you.

The electric bills come with one of the new highly regressive taxes, if you don't pay the tax they turn off your juice. Just as here the masses are expected to carry the wealthy. Of course in Greece getting the workers to perform this odious tasks will be another story.

[dkf]

6. I hear their doctors are notorious for under reporting.

As is anyone else who can take cash.

[TBF]

5. Coming soon to a country near you ... nt

[woo me with science]

7. This is our future if we don't stand up. They will stop stealing from us when we make them stop,

and not a moment sooner.

[MedleyMisty]

8. Last night on Twitter

People from Greece were expressing solidarity with Occupy Oakland, saying that now we knew what it's been like for them.

There were also Egyptians handing out advice on dealing with tear gas and defending the protest from the police.

Also, the Libyans on Twitter fully support Occupy Wall Street, as hard as that may be for people who are anti-Libyan to believe.

It's a global anti-capitalist movement, and I wish the Greeks all the best in fighting their part of it. May we all be free one day.

[WinkyDink]

9. That's why they call it "austerity"! Who'dathunk?!