Their government cares more about serving banks than the people.
"Strikes, clashes up pressure on Greek government" by Derek Gatopoulos, Associated Press Writer | February 24, 2010
ATHENS, Greece --Some 50,000 Greek workers took to the streets Wednesday and a few protesters threw paint and scuffled with police during the widest strike yet against the government's austerity plan aimed at fixing the country's debt crisis.
That is what YOU NEED TO DO, Amurkns -- and I just don't see it.
Of course, this about more than Greece; this is about the globalist template and model failing.
The unrest flared despite a looming deadline for demonstrating tough cuts demanded by the European Union to calm the crisis and keep it from spreading to other countries with troubled finances such as Portugal, Spain and Italy.
Which CREATES a CRISIS for the GREEK GOVERNMENT!
Strikes grounded flights, idled cargo ships and ferries, and left commuters in Athens without most public transportation. State-run schools, tax offices and municipalities all shut down and public hospitals limped by using emergency staff.
In the capital, some 50,000 people marched through central Athens to protest spending cuts already imposed. The march itself was peaceful, with scuffles taking place after it ended, and comes after public opinion polls suggest many Greeks actually recognize the necessity of painful measures.
So that they can PAY OFF BANKS? Who the hell took that poll, MSM?
But Wednesday was the day for the unions to push back....
As the peaceful march ended, riot police clashed and fired tear gas at scores of anarchist youths in the latest sign of unrest in recession-hit European countries.
Yeah, they are what we call AGENT PROVOCATEURS designed to INFILTRATE and GIVE PROTESTS a BAD NAME!!
Groups of youths vandalized banks and storefronts, hurling rocks, red paint and plastic bottles near parliament. Three people were arrested.
Windows were also smashed at the Finance Ministry's General Accounting Office, which has been accused by the European Union of faking statistics for years to hide Greece's dire situation.
Greece is considering tougher austerity measures to ward off a financial crisis that has undermined the euro currency used by 16 European nations. Its troubles have raised fears that financial market contagion will spread to other weak eurozone economies such as Portugal, Spain and Italy.
Like I said, their WHOLE PROJECT is at risk!
The pressure on the Greek government to deliver on its promise to rein in the country's borrowing levels ratcheted up further Wednesday with the news that Standard & Poor's, one of the three leading credit ratings agencies, could downgrade its rating on the country within a month.
The EU has issued a vague promise to support Greece, which has some $72 billion in debt coming due this year....
Screw it. Default, and let the bankers take the loss for once.
Greece says it is under pressure from the EU to cut salaries in the civil service.
Aren't you glad you joined?
Unions say cutting Greeks' so-called 14th salary -- part of annual pay held back as a holiday bonus -- for public workers would be taken as "an act of war."
I regard the globalist plans as such, yeah.
"If all these measures are enforced, unemployment will skyrocket. Our country will enter a massive recession and unemployment will reach a Europe-wide record," union spokesman Stathis Anestis said. "This will be tragic because it will provoke social (unrest) and clashes."
And ISN'T THAT WHAT GOVERNMENTS WANT, after all?
Then there is an EXCUSE to IMPOSE MARTIAL LAW!
Officials from the EU and International Monetary Fund are in Athens to inspect public finances, ahead of a March 16 deadline to show signs of fiscal improvement or face imposed additional austerity measures.....
Aren't you glad you joined that PoS globalist entity, Greeks?
The country's woes have caused the euro to sink against the dollar and hiked the country's borrowing costs.
And THAT is BAD because the DOLLAR is worth S***!!!
Greek unemployment hit a five-year high in November 2009....
And look what was cut from my printed paper:
In France, a strike by air traffic controllers disrupted flights for a second day Wednesday. In Spain, tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied Tuesday to protest a government proposal to raise the retirement age by two years to 67.
In Germany, over 4,000
Yeah, the MSM wouldn't want us to know the CRISIS and WORK STOPPAGES are CONTINENT WIDE!
You webbers got a New York Times PoS:
"Greek austerity roils unions; Debt crisis response spurs strikes, clashes" by Niki Kitsantonis, New York Times | February 25, 2010
ATHENS - Flights at Greek airports were canceled, public transportation was halted, and schools closed yesterday as public-sector employees and private-sector workers walked off their jobs in the second 24-hour strike in two weeks against austerity measures....
The day was largely peaceful, though police officers fired tear gas to disperse about 50 young demonstrators who pelted them with stones and paint near the parliament building in the city center. They were part of a crowd of more than 20,000 who marched holding banners reading “tax the rich’’ and “hands off our pension funds.’’
At the same time, government officials and representatives of the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund were discussing the imposition of additional measures to reduce the national debt - now more than $400 billion - and increase revenue.
More TAXES, huh? Yeah, that will save you like it is saving us.
The strike, however, included journalists, effectively creating a media blackout that kept Greeks in the dark about any progress....
That's how our AmeriKan MSM keeps us and there is no blackout.
More like a brown out day after day.
The new measures, which the government has not yet confirmed but are expected to be announced next week, include an increase of 2 percentage points in the 19 percent value-added tax, higher fuel prices, and the possible abolition of one of two additional months of pay received by public sector workers and by employees at many private firms.
So BANKS can get PAID!!!
“What else are they going to cut, the air that we breathe?’’ said Kiki Oikonomou, 47, an administrative employee at a state school for disabled children.
No, they are going to TAX THAT!
“This is like a jail sentence. Where’s the hope?’’
I empathize with you, my Greek brothers and sisters.
********************
An engineer milling in the crowd before yesterday’s march said he believed many more protests would follow.
I'm sure the AmeriKan MSM will minimize those anti-agenda protests.
“If people see the minority living a good life and their wages plummeting, they’re going to take to the streets,’’ said the engineer, Haralambos Dramantis, 60, an employee with the state power board. “We haven’t seen the big uprising yet, but it will come.’’
Not in AmeriKa.
He added that strikes by farmers, tax collectors, customs officials, and others in recent weeks were “just the beginning.’’
Addressing a sea of protesters from a lectern bedecked with a banner reading, “People and their needs above the markets,’’ the head of the main labor union encouraged public resistance to the government’s austerity measures.
“We refuse to pay the price for a crisis that we didn’t create,’’ said the labor leader, Yannis Panagopoulos.
EXACTLY!!!
The strike came a day after the international credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded Greece’s four largest banks on fears that Greece’s efforts to bring down its deficit through austerity measures would reduce demand for loans and curb bank profits....
Yeah, you SEE what is IMPORTANT to the "WORLD COMMUNITY," no?
BANK PROFITS!!! Sort of EXPLAINS EVERYTHING, doesn't it?
Also see: Slow Saturday Special: Greecing Up the E.U.
Greecing the Skids of the New World Order
Crisis in Greece Threatens Global Government
Breaking News: Goldman Sachs Screwed Greece
Money Monday: Goldman Sachs' Gold Mine
Boston Globe Sides With Goldman Sachs Over Globalists
Greece Clears Goldman Sachs
The Fed(?) did, too, but that figures; Goldman is the Fed.
"Fed reviewing deals between US banks, Greece" by Craig Torres, Bloomberg News | February 26, 2010
WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the use of credit default swaps to destabilize a country is “counterproductive,’’ and added the central bank is reviewing the arrangements of Goldman Sachs Group and other companies with Greece.
“We are looking into a number of questions related to Goldman Sachs and other companies and their derivatives arrangements with Greece,’’ Bernanke said yesterday in testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in Washington.
Federal Reserve officials are using new supervisory powers over firms such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to gather information on financial system risks.
Bernanke was responding to a question from Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, who asked if there should be limits on the use of credit default swaps to prevent “runs against governments.’’
And YOU KNOW WHO is paying for "GOVERNMENT," right, TAXPAYERS?!!!
Goldman helped Greek officials raise $1 billion of off-balance-sheet funding in 2002 through swaps, which European Union regulators said they knew nothing about until recently.
Goldman Sachs did “nothing inappropriate’’ when it arranged currency swaps for Greece that reduced the nation’s national debt by $3.2 billion, a top executive said.
“They did produce a rather small, but nevertheless not-insignificant reduction, in Greece’s debt-to-GDP ratio,’’ Gerald Corrigan, chairman of Goldman’s regulated bank subsidiary, told a panel of British lawmakers on Monday. The swaps were “in conformity with existing rules and procedures.’’
Then WHY are they UP SHIT'S CREEK without a paddle!!?
“As a matter of policy, we don’t comment on legal or regulatory matters,’’ Michael DuVally, a Goldman Sachs spokesman, said yesterday.
Corrigan is the former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
So the GOLDMAN'S GUY used to be a FED PRESIDENT, huh?
This isn't an investigation by the Fed, readers; it is a COVER UP!!!
The Federal Reserve gained oversight powers over Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley following their conversion to bank holding companies in Sept. 2008.
Yields on two-year Greek bonds rose to the highest since Feb. 9 after Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s said they may cut their ratings if Greece fails to implement a plan to reduce its budget deficit. Pierre Cailleteau, managing director of sovereign risk at Moody’s, said a downgrade may come by the end of March.
“Greece is able to make headlines every day, and for now volatility is here to stay,’’ said Michiel de Bruin, who helps manage $28 billion of assets as head of euro government bonds at F&C Investments in Amsterdam. “The market is also taking into account the possibility of a double dip in economic growth, and that’s causing risk aversion.’’
Yeah, except they are NOT making headlines every day over here.
--more--"
In fact, they are placed all the way back in the business section:
ATHENS - With creditors demanding solutions to the Greek debt crisis and the financial world increasingly on edge, Athens yesterday froze pensions, cut civil service salaries, and slapped new taxes on everything from cigarettes and alcohol to fuel and precious gems.
Yup, the VERY SAME CREDITORS that CREATED the PROBLEM in the first place.
Markets and the European Union reacted well to the $6.5 billion austerity plan. But Greek unions were outraged - and the country’s embattled prime minister is headed to Germany and France seeking more definite expressions of support.
Translation: The PM is looking for CASH!
Prime Minister George Papandreou warned that unless the new measures won European Union and market backing, bringing down the cost of borrowing for the country, Greece would turn to the International Monetary Fund.
Then DO NOT BORROW anything! Ever think of that, s***ter?
Such a move would be unpalatable for the European Union, highlighting the bloc’s inability to manage the crisis on its own.
Again, this is ALL ABOUT the GLOBALIST PROJECT of GLOBAL GOVERNMENT and GLOBAL CURRENCY -- and the Greeks can kill it.
Either way, it's OVER because HAITI and THIS CRISIS prove that GLOBAL GOVERNMENT and its SHOWCASES have FAILED!
The Greek reaction only confirms that the people do not -- and never did -- want it.
“From today the problem can’t be considered ‘Greek’. We are doing what we must and more,’’ Papandreou said. “So now, it is the time of Europe.’’
Spoken like a TRUE GLOBALIST SLAVE!
Greece is already receiving technical help from the IMF, but has not yet appealed for a bailout.
That is JUST GOING TO MAKE THINGS WORSE!
Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said the IMF would not have imposed any harsher measures had Athens already appealed to it, and would have provided financial aid in return.
What Greece wants is a clear indication from Europe that it would receive help if that became necessary, he said.
They never get it (well, behind closed doors they do; governments over there don't want to publicize ANOTHER BAILOUT for BANKS so they are saying no ca$h yet).
The IMF in Washington said it approved of the new plan, which is to be voted on in Parliament tomorrow.
Then I oppose it whatever it is.
Savings will be split evenly between increasing revenue and slashing spending. Tax increases include a 20 percent hike for alcohol, a 65 percent increase on cigarettes, and raising sales tax, or VAT, from 19 percent to 21 percent. Cuts include curbing civil servants’ pay, cutting bonuses and stipends, and freezing pensions.
How about the politician's salaries? Any cuts?
Papandreou heads to Berlin tomorrow to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel - whose country is highly reluctant to indicate concrete assistance - and then to Paris for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy before flying to Washington to meet President Obama.
While markets approved, Greece’s labor unions did not....
Oh, but WHO CARES about them?
After all, their opinion and voice was saved for the afterthought paragraphs of the program.
Yes, we know WHO is IMPORTANT in the AGENDA-SERVING, AGENDA-PUSHING PAPERS!
LONDON - After pledging to mend its profligate ways, Greece took a crucial step on yesterday toward raising the billions needed to pay its bills and contain the crisis threatening the euro.
Even as members of a large labor union occupied the offices of the Finance Ministry in Athens yesterday amid wider protests in the capital against proposed budget cuts, the Greek government won a vote of confidence for its plans in the credit markets.
Yes, you SEE WHO GOVERNMENT SLAVES SERVE, 'eh?
The Greeks sure do.
With many investors expecting Greece’s richer neighbors to come to the nation’s aid, Athens easily sold $6.8 billion in 10-year bonds.
Meaning the Greek taxpayer gets SCREWED AGAIN!
The sale went far better than expected, as investors sought to buy three times the amount of bonds being offered.
Translation: a BAILOUT is ON the WAY!!
Still, to lure buyers, Greece agreed to pay an annual interest rate of 6.37 percent, twice the rate on comparable German bonds.
Like I said, GETTING SCREWED!
Athens seized the opportunity to raise the money after announcing on Wednesday that it would cut spending and raise taxes, a move that eased concern over its runaway budget deficit.
“This was a very, very good deal,’’ said Petros Christodoulou, the head of Greece’s debt management agency. “We had some very tough measures that were shocking to a number of Greeks, but that is what it took to regain credibility in the markets.’’
Yeah, to HELL with credibility when it comes to YOUR OWN CONSTITUENTS and CITIZENS!
The news eased pressure on several other indebted European nations, and Spain completed a $6.1 billion bond issue yesterday.
The Spanish and Greek offerings represent the first major calls on the bond market by southern European nations since concern over those countries’ gaping budget deficits gripped the world’s markets. Two weeks ago, a bond sale by Portugal foundered.
I didn't see anything about that in the newspaper.
Lisbon yesterday refused to back down from its own austerity plan, despite a nationwide strike by civil servants.
First I've seen of that and it's buried.
Such strong and swift responses suggest that once-reluctant governments are now heeding market warnings and taking the political risks necessary to carry out tough fiscal measures.
Yeah, f*** what the PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU want!
That's why Greeks are IN THE STREETS!!
Because EUROPEANS DON'T TAKE as much s*** as 'murkans
The Greek prime minister, George A. Papandreou, was to meet today with the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, who has been cautious in public about approving any bailout for Greece.
The Greek civil servants’ union and the country’s main labor union, which has about 2 million members, announced a four-hour work stoppage to begin at noon today. The civil servants’ union was also considering moving forward a 24-hour strike scheduled for March 16 to some time next week to increase pressure on the government.
So when is your strike, Amurkns?
--more--"
Oh, yeah, turns out they may not be getting any money:
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany yesterday avoided giving debt-plagued Greece a commitment of financial assistance, as Athens was rattled by more strikes and violent protests by unions outraged by harsh economic austerity measures.
Greece didn’t ask for financial support, and Germany didn’t offer any....
Merkel said there would be a common push to crack down on market speculation that has led Greece’s cost of borrowing to skyrocket....
Merkel said her country could help Greece with its expertise and in other ways. Strict fiscal policy has helped propel Germany to Europe’s biggest economy....
Earlier this week, the European Commission said it would call in market regulators and banks to discuss possible problems with the market for credit default swaps on sovereign debt.
The swaps are a form of insurance against a borrower defaulting on debt - and the market for them has swelled in recent weeks as traders weigh up the risk that Greece might not be able to repay its massive debt.
Merkel’s comments echoed remarks made this week amid market and media speculation that the European Union may be preparing some sort of bailout aimed at helping Greece cope with its economic woes.
But she didn't offer and he didn't ask, huh?
Asked about reports of a rescue plan being worked on by European nations, Greek government officials said they were unaware of any such plans.
Translation: One is in the works!
Remember, readers, GOVERNMENTS LIE!
That's how Greece got in this mess!
--more--"
Show me the money, Sarkozy:
PARIS - Speculators beware: The euro zone’s biggest powers will back Greece through its debt crisis, which has jeopardized all 16 nations using the common currency, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday.
Yeah, their WHOLE GLOBALIST SCHEME is AT STAKE!
Greece has adopted a severe austerity plan to cut its 12.7 percent budget deficit and has said going to the International Monetary Fund is an option if a European solution is not found.
Yeah, but not one you want to access.
Meaning he offered NO MONEY!
--more--"
Gee, those strikes went way right quick, huh?
ATHENS - Greek officials expressed relief yesterday at European support over the country’s debt crisis, but labor unions stepped up strikes, angry about wage cuts and sales tax increases they say will hurt the poor.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday said the European Union has “concrete, precise methods’’ to help Greece financially, if needed, but refused to give details. He made the remarks after talks in Paris with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, who later traveled to Washington for talks today with President Obama....
Deputy Defense Minister Panos Beglitis said, “The salvation of Greece, if you will, closely coincides with the salvation of the European Union and the eurozone.’’
Greece’s two largest unions have called a nationwide 24-hour strike for Thursday, while tax collectors and landfill workers were on strike yesterday.
Unions oppose a $6.5 billion package that will raise taxes and slash public-sector workers’ pay.Yeah, but the rich aren't really taking a hit, are they?
--more--"
