tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post8398138809010923932..comments2024-03-22T05:20:44.167-07:00Comments on The Disaffected Lib: Krugman - Europe Also Won in Yesterday's Greek Bailout ReferendumThe Mound of Soundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-85771937342414617542015-07-06T19:14:15.517-07:002015-07-06T19:14:15.517-07:00Thanks, PLG, I just incorporated those reports alo...Thanks, PLG, I just incorporated those reports along with Krugman's remarks into a new post.<br /><br />I recall one aspect of this. The Greeks were under contract to purchase a number of Type 212 U-boats. Syrzia tried to halt payment and cancel the order. Frau Merkel wouldn't hear of it and insisted the debt be paid, presumably out of bail out money. At the time I thought Canada should help Greece out and take over those contracts, allowing us to get rid of those awful Brit castoffs that have cost us so much.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-71921412357122774072015-07-06T18:11:21.934-07:002015-07-06T18:11:21.934-07:00I got it here:
http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/07...I got it here:<br />http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/07/06/greece-rejects-the-troika/<br />Third paragraph.<br />With a quick search I also find this:<br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/16/greek-austerity-military-spending_n_7597896.html<br /><br />It's not the first time I've run across such claims, particularly about the troika being unhappy (despite occasional rhetoric to the contrary) about Syriza planning to actually pursue wealthy tax evaders.Purple library guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930984683714519212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-82931608960170234472015-07-06T17:11:17.944-07:002015-07-06T17:11:17.944-07:00PLG - can you source that information about the IM...PLG - can you source that information about the IMF blocking proposals for major cuts in Greek defence spending and taxing the rich to made good their years of blatant tax dodging?The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-74117837581726959482015-07-06T17:09:45.441-07:002015-07-06T17:09:45.441-07:00Owen, I don't think those who might reform the...Owen, I don't think those who might reform the European currency structure have anywhere near enough clout to overcome the forces of inertia. For all its failings, the Euro has created a clear control hierarchy in Europe, something once only achieved by Panzers.The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-81831185217573268242015-07-06T15:12:57.915-07:002015-07-06T15:12:57.915-07:00The austerity approach taken by the troika makes e...The austerity approach taken by the troika makes even less economic sense than Krugman suggests. It's really not about debt repayment at all, it's about savage class warfare. What makes it blindingly obvious is that the troika actually vetoed proposed policies <b>that would get them more money</b>. Yes, you read that right. <br /><br />The IMF vetoed a proposed reduction in military spending, and the troika vetoed Syriza's intent to increase taxes on, and crack down on tax evasion by, the rich. Both measures would have given the government more room to pay off debt, through reduced spending or increased revenue. But they would have inconvenienced military contractors or real (that is, rich) people rather than hosing the peons, so they were out. The point of austerity clearly is all about restructuring society to make sure the lower classes are poor and powerless and to redistribute their money upwards, not about debt repayment. The debt is nothing, the ECB quantitatively eases more money in a month or two than the whole amount at issue.Purple library guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01930984683714519212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32931256.post-54649046932048610392015-07-06T12:12:25.939-07:002015-07-06T12:12:25.939-07:00Krugman has written before that the common currenc...Krugman has written before that the common currency was a bad idea, Mound. I wonder if that thought is crossing the minds of the powers that be.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.com