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See my Barroso to plebes: nice indebted democracy you have there... (June 17th, 2010)
"I had a discussion with Barroso last Friday about what can be done for Greece, Spain, Portugal and the rest and his message was blunt: 'Look, if they do not carry out these austerity packages, these countries could virtually disappear in the way that we know them as democracies. They've got no choice, this is it'."


Economics is politics by other means
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri May 6th, 2011 at 10:04:14 AM EST
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I actually think both perspectives (in the piece you link) are "correct". These are perilous times.

Anyone here read "The Fourth Turning"? If yes, would like to share an opinion? It seems applicable to this post (A good match for the "Until..." section).

Actually one of the fundamental reasons I started writing with a pseudonym comes from the doubt that democracy and freedom of speech are currently stable.

by cagatacos on Fri May 6th, 2011 at 10:40:47 AM EST
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writing with a pseudonym

Possibly also a good move professionally.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sat May 7th, 2011 at 10:04:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Interestingly it seems that around here the government department that seems to have more problems paying salaries is... defence (which includes part of the de facto police, the one that acts in small cities and rural areas).

It is exactly the group that you DO NOT want to stop paying salaries: those with guns.

Up to now only a delay of one day on salary payments (and today a complaint from the police top official that there are cash flow problems).

by cagatacos on Sat May 7th, 2011 at 11:57:59 AM EST
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