What do they hope to acheive (apart from the end of the Euro perhaps)?

[youngmafbog]

The Greeks are on strike. The country is on its knees so they decide to make it worse.

Where do they really think the money is going to come from?

[Graham-W]

I don't claim to understand high finance and global economics but is now a good or bad time for a holiday in Greece? Will there be bargains to be had because they are desperate for foreign currency or will it be hard for tourists due to raging inflation?

[bazwillrun]

Lets hope its the end of the euro and the end of the eu

[Old_Geezer]

Money is easy to get, just get the banks to print some more. In fact they need not even do that, just change the figures in their data base and create a whole lot to lend out at a fantastic rate. ("Trust me, I'm a bank.")

[Miabhaig]

The banks which were responsible for this entire crisis? And its likely that we, the ordinary tax payers in the UK, will also be asked to make 'greater sacrifices' to restore the liquidity of an economy brought to its knees by the greed and avarice of a few who gambled with unknown toxic assets and failed miserably. What other private industry in the UK, Europe or the USA would be bailed out for its incompetence, and allowed to continue in the way that the banks have been?
What choice does the ordinary Greek person have than to vent their frustration in a general strike.

[youngmafbog]

The Greeks did not help themselves though did they, retire at 55, didn't pay taxes and everything at the expense of the rest of Europe. The Bankers did not cause this their failure simply exposed it.

[Old_Geezer]

Unless your country has no unemployment, retirement at 55 is a great idea. Let the younger folk on benefits who wish to make their contribution get the jobs that can be released by those who have done their bit for society. Reduce the welfare bill by moving money over to the pension pot.

Oh and yes, banks are special to the economy that way, so arguably ought not be in private hands. The people ought not be passing hand-outs to the rich to keep vital private businesses going.

Governments who don't have a system that minimises tax evasion will be to blame for much of it, but I'd not let banks off the hook by claiming it was just exposure. An inability to judge a toxic investment opportunity is not something we expect professional financial experts to achieve. That said I'm unsure what percentage that particular failure contributed to the Greek problems.