The United States of.....Greece? Can It Happen Here?
No doubt you are all aware of the events currently transpiring in Greece, the birthplace of democracy as well as my ancestors. It deeply saddens me to see a beautiful nation unravel in such a humiliating fashion and to a once proud people. Was it necessary and how did they get to this point. Equally important is the question, "Can America avoid this inevitable problem coming to our shores".
Prior to assigning blame for this debacle let us look at what the people are struggling through. Forced austerity by leaders other than their own if they are to receive the funds currently needed for the bare necessities. Think about that for a moment. Suppose the countries who finance our massive debt stated and implemented a policy of not another nickel lent to us until we cut Social Security spending by 10% annually and lay offs of 20% of our civil servants. I need not tell you how that would play out. But this is what the Greeks have been forced to endure for almost two years and it is at a breaking point.
The anger and pain felt by the average citizen is palpable. It is now turning to a flat out rage. I pray it ends well but regardless it will be no cake walk. Wage cuts, pension cuts, complete lack of medicines as no supplier dare ship to Greece as they question it's ability to pay. Not easy to watch let alone know I have family suffering this unfolding mess. As to the rioting and building burnings in Athens one would think they are at war.
This is not intended to excuse Greece from the behavior that got them here. No that is the same old story and I have witnessed it first hand many a time. It is simply put a socialist welfare state. Believe me I hate to state this but it is fact. The politicians promised and delivered free health, education, benes galore and all in exchange for a vote. What they did not bother to tell the citizens is they have been putting it on the Amex card for the past 40 years. Now the bill has come due.
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