Community | September 11, 2012 | 4 comments

Democracy Began in Athens and Ended on Wall Street (pt.2)

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/04/eurozone-six-day-week-greece

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Gordon_Shumway

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/sep/04/eurozone-six-day-week-...

There were several important economic stories from Europe over the past 10 days or so that were under reported here. Now that the conventions are behind us, I want to point them out here.

This story from the Guardian reports demands by "The Troika" (EC, ECB, and IMF) that Greeks go to a six day work week as part of the necessary "reforms" that will allow them to meet the conditions for staying in the Euro.

The most obvious take away is that this is the future that the Global Financial Elite has in mind for all of us, as they push the Greek people farther along the road to indentured servitude. But I see something even more insidious and mean spirited.

The official unemployment rate in Greece is over 23%, and virtually anyone would concede that the real rate is even higher. The official rate of unemployment among Greek's under 25 is nearly 55%, with the same caveat. Clearly the problem in Greece is NOT that there is work to be done and no Greeks willing to do it. The problem is that there is no work. What could Greeks do on a sixth work day other than further reduce the number of available jobs, throwing even more people out of work completely?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57489797/greek-unemployment-soars-to-23.1...

I find myself unable to grasp what the Troika is even thinking. What could possibly be accomplished by lengthening the work week now, other than acclimating the population to the idea that if in future you are lucky enough to get a job at all, be prepared to be worked like a rented mule. Apparently the Troika feels that the "Foxconn work ethic" is what's needed in Europe, so let's give it a toe hold in Greece.

Well, there's also the vicarious pleasure of kicking the Greeks while there down.

For reference, here's a link to my first post in what looks to become a running story.

Democracy Began in Athens and Ended on Wall Street:
http://current.com/community/93662558_democracy-began-in-athens-and-ended-on-wal...
  1. groups:
    Community,   Greatest Depression,   Economy,   Corporate Greed,   4 more
  2. tags:
    EU,  Euro,  Greece,  Global Economy,  1 more
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4 comments // Democracy Began in Athens and Ended on Wall Street (pt.2)

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