imi Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8508688.stm What a mess.....I wonder whether this time we will stick to our guns or will we buckle yet again (the US arent involved this time so perhaps we will have our say).... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr_jekyll Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 im feeling a tax increase coming on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 No doubt our government will be there to save the day again, at our expense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 Why not? We're already pumping cash into Bangladesh (370 million), Pakistan (480 million), Palestine (243 million), Yemen (100 million+), not to mention Sudan and Somalia. Surely we can help out our fellow EUROPEANS for a change? Don't believe me? Look out for a speech by Justice Minister and Labour MP for Dewsbury, Shahid Malik! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multics Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 If the UK would be in the Eurozone, they'd be in a similar situation. One of the reasons this country refuses to join the Eurozone is for not having to pay for others, so I'm not surprised at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTIN R Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Why not? We're already pumping cash into Bangladesh (370 million), Pakistan (480 million), Palestine (243 million), Yemen (100 million+), not to mention Sudan and Somalia. Surely we can help out our fellow EUROPEANS for a change? Don't believe me? Look out for a speech by Justice Minister and Labour MP for Dewsbury, Shahid Malik! I think we should help, what goes around comes around and we could well be passing the begging bowl around the next G8 conference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lbm Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I shall be hopefully pumping some money into the Greek economy this summer. They had the shirt off my back last year with a poor exchange rate for the pound. But I like the place, so I shall go back later in the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 The implementation of the latest austerity program has, in the main, been largely poo pood (sp) by the locals here on the island. They see it as the actions of a desperate government trying to fight a losing battle by going for the "soft" targets of the lower class rather than looking into the corruption en masse of the rich and powerful. As far as these islanders go, this talk of cutting down on tax evasion is nothing more that - talk - and that in reality nothing much will change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Why not? We're already pumping cash into Bangladesh (370 million), Pakistan (480 million), Palestine (243 million), Yemen (100 million+), not to mention Sudan and Somalia. Surely we can help out our fellow EUROPEANS for a change? I am guessing we did that without American involvement too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 What's happening to Greece at the moment is the main reason I'm opposed to Britain joining the Euro. Fiscal policy tends to be set to suit France and Germany, not Greece or most other Euro nations (Portugal, Italy, Spain, etc). The Bank of England has the ability to set interest rates to suit prevailing conditions in the UK: the Greeks no longer have that ability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I hate waiting to see the petrol prices rise.... because of other countries mistakes when their petrol prices are so low! This is a genuine question... have we been helped by any other country at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 What's happening to Greece at the moment is the main reason I'm opposed to Britain joining the Euro. Fiscal policy tends to be set to suit France and Germany, not Greece or most other Euro nations (Portugal, Italy, Spain, etc). The Bank of England has the ability to set interest rates to suit prevailing conditions in the UK: the Greeks no longer have that ability. It isnt't the fiscal policy that is the problem with Greece, it is massive overspending since joining the Euro that has now finally hit home with a vengeance. As reported here: GREECE Economy, in European Union: Thirteenth-largest Latest GDP figure: -0.3% (Third quarter of 2009) Gross debt in 2010, forecast: 125% of GDP Gross debt in 2007: 94.5% of GDP Jobless rate: 9.7% Population: 11,260,402 Stocks performance in 2010: -10.5% (to 11 February) Greece benefited from joining the Euro in 2001. But the Greek government went on something of a spending spree and public spending soared. Now, it is suffering from its huge spending - and widespread tax evasion - as it finds itself unable to cope with its huge debt loads and meet EU deficit rules. Greece's deficit is, at 12.7%, more than four times higher than European rules allow. It remains to be seen whether the EU's deal on Greece will help soothe markets, and ease concerns over other indebted nations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I hate waiting to see the petrol prices rise.... because of other countries mistakes when their petrol prices are so low! This is a genuine question... have we been helped by any other country at all? Which countries mistakes and how much do you think petrol is there? If you are referring to Greece then you are certainly correct with your mistake comment but way off the mark with low petrol prices. Taking account the exchange rate, we currently pay more per litre here than you do in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multics Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 The UK has a deficit of 14% which is higher than Greece and would have been in the same crap should they have joined the Eurozone like the others. But the real problem is lack of real politicians and the inability of Greeks to shift their mentality towards tax evasion and bribery. No bail-out can change them and it's sad to say, being Greek. It's a fact that Greece cannot afford the Euro as currency but from the other side, cannot afford to loose the Euro. So does Ireland, Portugal and Spain by the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 The UK has a deficit of 14% which is higher than Greece and would have been in the same crap should they have joined the Eurozone like the others. But the real problem is lack of real politicians and the inability of Greeks to shift their mentality towards tax evasion and bribery. No bail-out can change them and it's sad to say, being Greek. It's a fact that Greece cannot afford the Euro as currency but from the other side, cannot afford to loose the Euro. So does Ireland, Portugal and Spain by the way... "mentality towards tax evasion and bribery" So thats the reason why Greece finds itself in the predicament, what about the other countries you mention...... Perhaps if Germany and France were to bail them out, in return they'd take control of the taxation system and perhaps drive a culture change (by hook or crook) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 It isnt't the fiscal policy that is the problem with Greece, it is massive overspending since joining the Euro that has now finally hit home with a vengeance. That's certainly the cause of the crisis, but it's up to fiscal policy (which can include asking other nations for a bail-out) to be the medicine to pull the country out of the crisis. Here's something I read recently: Euro debt crisis. I think the author might be a euro-sceptic and I don't know enough about the subject to understand all that he's saying, but it seems to makes sense (those parts that I do understand anyway). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbleapple Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I hate Europe. I really do. The amount of problems it causes. It isnt't the fiscal policy that is the problem with Greece, it is massive overspending since joining the Euro that has now finally hit home with a vengeance. A perfect example why I hate Europe. We let people in and then have to bail them out. Don't believe me? Look out for a speech by Justice Minister and Labour MP for Dewsbury, Shahid Malik! I wouldn't believe anything he has to say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I hate Europe. I really do. The amount of problems it causes. Care to elaborate which problems these are and how "Europe" causes them? A perfect example why I hate Europe. We let people in and then have to bail them out. Who is this we you speak of? As far as I remember, Europe was formed a very long time ago and it wasn't be invite only. Or are you saying that Britain has the power to allow people to be members of Europe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multics Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 "mentality towards tax evasion and bribery" So thats the reason why Greece finds itself in the predicament, what about the other countries you mention...... That is one of the reasons. There are other reasons like lack of industries other than tourism (which is declining), lack of manufacturing, of exports etc... Pretty much all the small factories closed down as companies can manufacture for less elsewhere. Sounds familiar?! Perhaps if Germany and France were to bail them out, in return they'd take control of the taxation system and perhaps drive a culture change (by hook or crook) No chance, you forget that "THIS IS SPARTAAAA" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attero Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 Which countries mistakes and how much do you think petrol is there? If you are referring to Greece then you are certainly correct with your mistake comment but way off the mark with low petrol prices. Taking account the exchange rate, we currently pay more per litre here than you do in the UK. You'd be better of ignoring me because I'm not fully aware of what countries we've helped but I'm pretty sure we've helped countries out of money problems such as Iceland and the likes when we also have very large problems for ourselves. We are destroying our own country to help everyone else. We don't have a say in anything. But then I don't know the contribution from other richer countries either, so my point is inaccurate. I should research this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 IMO Europe will never work as a superstate due to language barriers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 I wouldn't believe anything he has to say I'm equally sceptical of his ramblings - but when he takes personal credit for arranging those payments I tend to believe him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 We send our troop's to fight for peace all over the world so they should pay us for saving there a##e:eyebrows: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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