Exit polls suggest Syriza is on course to form a majority government.

[Beatnic_jazzman]

In other news, Greece has altered the politics of the Eurozone and plunges it into uncertainty. This is a good primer to the problems and possibilities.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Greece hasn't done shit since 500BC, theyre a race of libtards.

 

[oggbashan]

Syriza has given hope to similar parties across Europe who don't like being run by Eurocrats.

Whether they can get Greece out of the mess generations of lying politicians and endemic tax evaders put them?

Nobody knows.

The Greek Government has been incompetent for decades. The now-former Prime Minister was trying to sort it out but lacked support from those who knew they could lose their privileges if he really tackled the shambles.

Syriza has a mandate to DO SOMETHING. Whether they can, or will be allowed to? I don't know. Neither do most Greek voters. They voted for a hope that things could change.

 

[DesEsseintes]

Best news in years and years. I wonder how hardball the ECB is prepared to play? If it goes too far, of course, the antidemocratic bias of the EU will be made even more obvious - and given the state of politics in the UK, a net contributor, Merkel et al will not want to be too obviously playing the bad guys for a few months.

 

[Miasorrow]

What is really happening in Greece is not what is believed to be.

Syriza is not even a actual left-wing party as it appears to be. It formed itself out of displeased members of the former sosialist party PASOK;members that were corrupting the system for years and suddenly lost theit power. They went to Syriza so they could climb their way back into the government and continue to steal money and corrupt. The percentage of 36,34 % that Syriza raised is also a result of disatisfied voters from the former prime minister Antonis Samaras and the conservative party of New Democracy. Greeks did not suddently become Communists in some months. Do not let them fool you. Syriza is not based on ideals but rather in profit.

What will happen is that Syriza will go to negotiate in the European Union as if Greece can rule the world and invent money out of nothing. He will make a fool out of himself, will be kicked out and Greece will be even worse than before. So, lets do it to get it over with and continue.

What we should be really looking into is the neo-nazi and racist party of Golden Dawn that managed to raise 6,28% being the third party in Greece and that the euro that hit 11-year low after the victory of Syriza.

Obama of course welcomd Syriza's elections outcome.

Now excuse me, I hate talking politics in sex forums.

P.S. I wish Greeks were liberals even if they had to be retards Mr. JAMESBJOHNSON

 

[DesEsseintes]

The Daily Mash take.

 

[oggbashan]

Are there, or were there, any Greek politicians that aren't/weren't corrupt and seeking to exploit their position for financial gain?

I wouldn't trust any of them, from any party, to clean up the Greek mess.

Their politicians lied to join the Euro, accepting financial constraints and conditions they knew were impossible for Greece to meet. They kept lying until the shit hit the fan. The Greek shambles was self-created, fuelled by massive tax evasion and extensive corruption.

Whether anyone who wants to be a Greek politician should be trusted? There might be an exception or two, but most Greek electors just shrug their shoulders. That's the Greek way of government and has been for decades.

Will Syriza be any different? I wouldn't bet a wooden nickel on it.

 

[Miasorrow]

Whether they can get Greece out of the mess generations of lying politicians and endemic tax evaders put them?

Nobody knows.

The Greek Government has been incompetent for decades. The now-former Prime Minister was trying to sort it out but lacked support from those who knew they could lose their privileges if he really tackled the shambles.

Their politicians lied to join the Euro, accepting financial constraints and conditions they knew were impossible for Greece to meet. They kept lying until the shit hit the fan. The Greek shambles was self-created, fuelled by massive tax evasion and extensive corruption.

Whether anyone who wants to be a Greek politician should be trusted? There might be an exception or two, but most Greek electors just shrug their shoulders. That's the Greek way of government and has been for decades.

Some very good points there.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Someone posted a good article here not too long ago about how tax avoidance was so deeply embedded in Greek culture, almost as if it's somehow dishonorable to NOT try and cheat on your taxes.

Nevertheless, the draconian cuts that the EU imposed on Greece have been in place for over five years now and things have not improved one bit for the Greek people.

Small wonder they voted for change.

I suspect Vettebigot is very pleased that his beloved Golden Dawn neonazi party got 6 percent of the vote.

 

[oggbashan]

Someone posted a good article here not too long ago about how tax avoidance was so deeply embedded in Greek culture, almost as if it's somehow dishonorable to NOT try and cheat on your taxes.

...

Tax collection in Greece and Italy seems to be on the Middle East Market model:

The taxmen claim 200% of your declared income. You protest that is ridiculous and you can't possibly pay, and offer 10% of your 'official' income. The claims and counteroffers go backwards and forwards until the taxmen and you agree about 40% of your 'declared' income.

But that ignores the 'black' income that they taxmen know you have, and that 200% of your declared income might have been a reasonable assessment.

If you are honest about your whole income - you will be taxed more than almost anyone.

The Greek and Italian tax systems assume that you are cheating the system because 'everybody does'.

 

[Beatnic_jazzman]

Podemus seeks to follow Syriza

Here's another article worth reading.

 

[JohnnySavage]

The Eurozone was a good idea in theory, but a terrible idea as a practical matter. Once a country gives up control of its currency, it's no longer sovereign.

What will happen, is that Greece will cancel its debt and be forced to live off of exports and tourism. Which means I'm planning a trip to Santorini.

 

[DesEsseintes]

Which means I'm planning a trip to Santorini.

I've been lucky enough to travel to some amazing places in my life, but I've never seen anywhere quite as stunning as Santorini. And the whole Atlantis history, too...just incredible. I'll never forget seeing the museum of 'New Thira', based on the rebuilt, far smaller civilization built much after the heyday. New Thira flourished around 800BC, when my distant ancestors were painting themselves blue. And the original Minoan civilization goes back 1500+ years before that.

Anyway - not a travelogue. But currency or not, crisis or not, if you ever get a chance to go to Santorini then go. Think Egyptian pyramids level of history and awe, crossed with Tahiti levels of natural beauty, plus incredible local wine.