(07-07-2015 09:56 AM)fsquid Wrote:  

(07-06-2015 06:27 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(07-06-2015 03:45 PM)fsquid Wrote:  Is he right though that there is some hypocrisy coming from Germany? Ignoring that he is a socialist and so is Greece.

The fundamental difference is that Greece will not start world war three. The flaw in his economic argument is that it had nothing to do with economics.

I think he's making an ethical argument above, not an economic one.

The problem he has is the decision to forgive some of West Germany's debt wasn't an economic or ethical decision....it was solely a strategic one. A strong West Germany was a threat to the Warsaw Pact, while a weak, debt ridden one weakens NATO and puts even more of an onus on the US, UK, and France for the defense of West Germany.

If Germany has gotta pay what about japan. What about Italy.

Let's don't leave them out. We wants our check

(07-07-2015 11:58 AM)shere khan Wrote:  If Germany has gotta pay what about japan. What about Italy.

Let's don't leave them out. We wants our check

Forgiving the debt of Germany was a tactical decision designed to prevent a third world war. We made our point, and now we wanted to move forward.

Western Europe wanted to destroy Germany after WWI - and the result is that they backed a wild animal into a corner. Germany got desperate, and Hitler came into power...

Some of our best friends these days are countries we once went to war with.

My brother-in-law's sister was attacked yesterday in Athens and robbed. By all accounts, a lot of ex-pats are leaving. That doesn't bode well.

On a positive note, Hellenic Coca-Cola is doing immensely well even as the exchange disintegrates around them.

(07-07-2015 09:56 AM)fsquid Wrote:  

(07-06-2015 06:27 PM)I45owl Wrote:  

(07-06-2015 03:45 PM)fsquid Wrote:  Is he right though that there is some hypocrisy coming from Germany? Ignoring that he is a socialist and so is Greece.

The fundamental difference is that Greece will not start world war three. The flaw in his economic argument is that it had nothing to do with economics.

I think he's making an ethical argument above, not an economic one.

Yes, but arguing that economic austerity program should is not the right solution because "it's not fair", and "but they didn't do it" is rather infantile. I'm well aware of such arguments every time I tell my kids to wash the dishes or take out the trash. My kids will be quite pleased with themselves when I tell them that they are making an ethical argument. Not so much when I tell them I'll cut off their internet access again when they construct another such argument.