GREECE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

The Greek election on January 25 was revolutionary. In overwhelming numbers, the Greek people swept into office the Syriza Party. Syriza is an acronym for Coalition of the Radical Left.  The party is led by a 40 year old firebrand, Alexis Tsipras. Tsipras will shortly be elected by Parliament as the new Prime Minister.

Greece has been led in recent years by the conservative side of the electorate. The group has failed to extract Greece from its problems with the Eurounion. The people have gone way to the left in selecting the Syriza Party. It is as if Republican tea party members had been elected. Except from the liberal side of the aisle.

Greece has been in the worst economic shape of any Eurounion member. The debt overwhelming. The Eurounion consistently demanded repayment. Austerity was forced on the Greek people. They have had enough. They opted to be led by the extreme left. The Syriza Party would have had no chance of being elected if economic conditions had been stable.

Austerity was imposed by the Eurounion on Greece. Germany leading the Eurounion group. The Eurounion became the banker. In reality, Germany. The cry.....Pay! Pay! Pay! 

Greece tried. Unsuccessfully. Since 2010, unemployment has grown to 27 per cent. Fifty per cent of that number being college graduates between 20 and 30. Three million people are living at the poverty line or below. 

Parents cannot feed their children. The farmers cannot sell food to the stores because there is no one who can afford to buy what they grow. The stores shut down because no one is buying. A wicked cycle. 

Following is a perfect example of what has been occurring in Greece. Many women are desperate for work. They beg the brothels to hire them. They need to earn money to put food on the table for their children. Greek law prohibits married women from working in brothels. Prostitution is legal. These women end up working the streets in desperation.

Things are so bad that those who work the brothels are coming up short. Services that cost 50-70 euros, are now going for 10 euros.

During the campaign, Tsipras promised the world so as to be elected. It was not difficult for him. He promised everything to those who had lost everything.

He promised an end to austerity which he described as a return to democracy. He promised that the rich would pay their fair share of taxes. He promised to write off the national debt, raise the minimum wage, rehire all public workers who had been laid off, reduce taxes, provide free electricity and food to those without, free medical care for the uninsured, return to real property taxpayers all rent increases paid since 2008, reduce taxes overall, and more.

The big thing was his promise to either renegotiate the debt owed the Eurounion to a more favorable level or pay the Eurounion nothing.

Germany is going crazy. A rich Germany loaned much of the money to Greece through the Eurounion. Things have changed. Germany is on the brink of a recession. If Germany is not paid, it could fall over the edge

Italy and Spain are sitting back and smiling. They are in the same position that Greece has been. They are making noises that if Greece gets a better deal or does not pay, why should they.

I keep mentioning Germany because Germans has been running the show. The Germans, as well as the Eurounion, have not been fair to Greece. In 2010, the Eurounion loaned Greece 240 billion euros in bailout money. The money was of no use to Greece. Ninety percent had to be paid back immediately to cover unpaid interest and fines. The Eurounion, and especially Germany, were hard assed bankers as they continue to be to this day.

Lets assume Greece does not pay back the Eurounion  and Germany, what happens? Greece will leave the Eurounion and create a new currency. The Eurounion will press for payment. Sue Greece? What Greek court would enforce any judgement. Germany would fall into recession. All this triggering what could be a world wide depression.

Even worse, I can see a situation where Germany would go to war with Greece over the money. Remember, Germany is in bad shape. It might be the only alternative left for Germany. Such a war would include other Eurounion nations and who knows who else. Already Tsiprashas met with Russian and Chinese representatives.

There is also an undercurrent by the Greeks regarding Germany. World War II wounds still fester. The Greek people recall that Germany occupied Greece and treated the Greek people poorly.

That is the story. The world is watching.

What is going to happen?

GREECE OPENS DOOR TO POISONOUS FOODSTUFFS

 

The Greek government recently came up with a plan to help feed its millions who are without food. The plan was to take effect September 1. Two days after the plan was announced, the supermarkets slammed the door shut on the proposal.

 

Most Greeks are living below the poverty level. Fathers cannot feed their families. They are without money to buy groceries. Most of these fathers have been hard working all their lives and now find themselves in a humbling situation not of their making.

 

I believe the Greek government has been and is screwed up when it comes to money. Otherwise, the Greek people would not be in the dire economic straits they are today.

 

The Greek government announced that as of September 1, supermarkets and grocery stores would be permitted to sell outdated foods. Expired foods. Foods that were beyond the date set forth following "Best used by....."

 

Depending on the type of food, the groceries could be sold anywhere from one week to three months following the expiration date.

 

The government required the stores to set aside a special section with a sign for the aged foodstuffs.  All foods so sold were to be sold priced below what they were initially labeled to be sold for.

 

What a wonderful solution to a serious problem! Make bad food available to the public. Put the consumers at risk. Invite e.coli, salmonella, botulism and I do not know what else to poison your own people.

 

The plan was bad on its face. It did not take long for someone to raise holy hell about it. The supermarkets.

 

The supermarkets stood together. They were concerned with health and safety issues. Outdated produce especially raised their ire.  The supermarkets refused to poison their customers. A few of the smaller stores swiftly jumped into the program, but it is expected they will back away.

 

The plan backfired. Before it even got going.

 

Is the Greek government capable of doing better? I do not know. Perhaps no one knows how to do better. The economically driven Greek calamity may be without solution in every respect. The proposal itself reeked of desperation.

 

As you are aware, I have spent a considerable amount of time in Greece the past two summers. One of my friends communicated with me. On the second day of this program, she bought a bag of outdated rice at a grocery store. When she opened it, the rice was crawling with small worms.

NAZI GREECE ON THE RISE

I recently returned from five weeks in Greece. I had a similar trip last year at this time.

 

I wanted to write this column two weeks into my Greece trip. However, I was concerned. Perhaps afraid might be the more appropriate word. I feared that once published, I might be detained and interrogated. Or, interrogated and then detained. Either way, not a comfortable situation.

 

You may think I am a bit daffy at this point. You will not by the time you finish reading what I have to share with you..

 

Greece has suffered the most of the euro nations. There are 1.4 million unemployed. The unemployment rate is 27 per cent. Sixty five per cent of the 27 per cent unemployed are under 25. The Greek Stock Exchange has fallen 85 per cent since 2007.

 

Men cannot feed their families. Single mothers, their children. A new group of impoverished is visible on the streets. The Greek people themselves.

 

Demonstrations flourished last summer. Thousands would gather to protest in the front of Parliament in Athens. I was there when three occurred. I walked through them. No one bothered me. What I saw were people of all ages angry at Merkle and Germany. Every time Merkle's name was mentioned, male and female alike would spit on the ground.

 

There are no demonstrations this summer, except for a few union organized ones. Things have moved beyond demonstrations and protests.

 

Whereas last year, the people were openly angry with what they perceived as their German caused plight, this year there was almost a reverent silence. Like everyone was waiting for something to happen.

 

People are still hungry. Families still miss meals. Never the less, this quiet exists. Perhaps the quiet before the storm.

 

Hitler came to power as a result of Germany's economics at that time. The Allies had foisted unreasonable reparations upon Germany which made Hitler's ascent possible. The German people were broke because of the reparations that had to be paid. Similar to the Greek situation of today where the Greek people are economically depressed because of the euro/Germany problem.

 

There is a Nazi party in Greece today. It has been in existence in one form or another for more than  twenty years. Some years actually dead. Existed merely on paper. The Nazi party was revitalized several years ago. It is called the Golden Dawn Party.

 

Initially, a nothing. Today, it is the third largest political party in Greece. Greece has a coalition government. No administration can survive without the 18 votes of the Golden Dawn Party. Ergo, its influence is significant.

 

It has been suggested that if a new national election were held today, the Golden Dawn Party would capture significantly more seats. 

 

Now for the practicalities. As you read through the next few paragraphs, think of the similarities with what occurred in Nazi Germany beginning in the late 1920s.

 

There are blackshirts. Young good looking men. Black shirts and pants. Walk the busy streets Athens in large groups. Like 15-20 at a time. Ride mopeds two at a time, generally on two or more mopeds.

 

My Athens hotel was in the downtown area near Parliament. I am not ashamed to admit I felt intimidated each time I walked past such a group. Even when the mopeds drove past me. Sometimes they starred like they could see every part of my being.

 

There is a Youth Movement. The young  wear only black shirts with the Party's insignia. No black pants.

 

The Golden Dawn Party has a flag. It has an insignia that appears to be a swastika. Not exactly. Close enough however so there is no question.

 

Hitler needed a scapegoat. Someone to blame for Germany's ills. He picked the Jews. The Golden Dawn Party, immigrants. Greece has had a massive influx of peoples from all over in recent years. Most escaping wars and/or tyranny. The claim is the immigrants took jobs that should have gone to Greeks and that the Greek government is broke because it cannot afford to support dependent immigrants.

 

Several years ago, Greece started a program of arresting and deporting immigrants. For no reason other than they were immigrants. In 2010, Parliament passed a law granting citizenship automatically to second generation persons. It was almost immediately repealed. A new law replaced it. The new law gave police the power to detain people for HIV testing and sex identity. Many immigrants had become part of the sex industry in order to survive economically. Once arrested, most are never released. They are kept jailed for months or forever. No judge, no nothing.

 

Hitler's Jews of yesterday are Greece's immigrants of today.

 

The Golden Dawn Party is not to be outdone, however. They are negative about Jews as well. They claim Jewish bankers internationally are partially to blame for Greece's economic woes.

 

The Greek police and Golden Dawn Party members have an informal affiliation. It has been reported that at least one half of the Athens police force are members of the Golden Dawn Party. The blackshirts carry weapons illegally. Nothing is done.

 

One of the reasons for the police support is that during the early demonstrations, no one came to the aid of the police. The mobs  were incensed and the police many times could not contain them. The blackshirts came to help. They stood with the police.

 

During recent demonstrations, the police have supplied the black shirts with batons and radio communication equipment.

 

There are beatings. Openly on the streets of Athens. Of immigrants. The police stand by and do nothing. Store fronts of businesses owned by immigrants have large X's painted on their doors and windows. Plus signs saying..... Do Not Do Business Here. Again, the police do  nothing.

 

The government does not interfere either.

 

It is claimed that at least half the judges are supportive of the Golden Dawn Party.

 

The Party continues to experience growing influence and power in Athens itself. It is spreading its tentacles to the suburbs. It wishes to capture the hearts and minds of the middle classes living in the suburbs.

 

The Golden Dawn Party's new member gathering techniques speak volumes. If you are hungry and can feed neither yourself or your family, the Party will give you food. Bags of food. If you are in trouble with the police/charged with a crime, the Party will resolve the problem to your satisfaction.

 

All that is required in either instance is allegiance to the Golden Dawn Party. In writing. Coupled with open participation in the Party's activities.

 

Frequent bags of free food are handed out at various intersections to those who are hungry. Immigrants of course are precluded from receiving this help. A person must first prove he or she is not an immigrant in order to qualify for the free food.

 

Party members are viewed as Robin Hoods. Not my description. The label given to them by the Greek people.

 

The Party has frequent rallies. The organization has a theme song. Auschwitz. The lyrics are anti-Semitic. One line goes.....F--k Anne Frank. Another.....Juden rous, Jews out.

 

Strangely, the Golden Dawn Party denies the Holocaust. An inconsistency.

 

American and Israeli flags are burned.

 

The party's hero is Adolph Hitler. He is viewed as a great social reformer and military genius. They believe in "Hitler for a 1,000 years!"  They believe the Golden Dawn Party will succeed where Hitler failed.

 

They greet and otherwise recognize persons with the Nazi salute.

 

There are moneyed people who support the Golden Dawn Party. Their identities are unknown.

 

All of the preceding results from the poverty and despair brought on the Greek people by  euro/German inspired austerity programs. Ironically, the Greek people blame the Germans for the euro and austerity problems. Yet they are leaning the way of Hitler's Germany in order to survive.

 

While all this is going on, the Greek people and government stand silently by. The people because they are eating or are afraid. The government because it wants to stay in power.

 

Why do I have to tell you what is happening in Greece? Where is the media? Isn't a growing Nazi party in Greece worthy of consideration? Why are we not being made aware? Why the silence?

 

History does repeat itself. It is happening again.

 

Scares the hell out of me!

 

GERMANY.....BIGGEST WHORE HOUSE IN EUROPE

Germany has a propensity for coming up with ideas which appear brilliant on the surface. Ideas which will benefit Germany. Ideas that  supposedly will benefit others they intend to do business with. Everyone eats!

In the final analysis, only Germany benefits. Only Germany eats.

The perfect example is the euro union which Germany was an instrumental party in conceiving and selling to fellow European nations. Each nation would be better off economically.

It did not work that way. Germany benefited/benefits big time to the detriment of other countries. Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus being prime examples.

Germany came up with another plan which was to work to the benefit of a certain group. Prostitutes.

Germany adopted a law in 2002 which legalized prostitution. A simple one page law. Its purpose was to      de-stigmatize prostitution. The ladies henceforth would be considered employees as in all other occupations. They were to have contractual rights with their pimps, the right to pension benefits and medical insurance, the right to unionize.

Prostitution was henceforth to be viewed as a voluntary occupational choice. The selling/rental of a woman's body was no longer to be considered immoral.

The world's oldest profession had come a long way. St. Augustine considered prostitution immoral and wrong. However, he viewed it as a necessary evil. Hundreds of years later, Germany gave it dignity.

What was the thinking behind the new German law? Was it really the welfare and dignity of the women involved? Or, was there more?

All of the above and perhaps more. Prostitution as a legal occupation became subject to taxation. Taxed nationally by Germany's federal government. Taxed additionally by Germany's municipalities. Pursuant to the law, the municipalities had the responsibility of overseeing the prostitution business.

Prior to the 2002 law, there were 100,00 prostitutes in Germany. Three years after its adoption, there were 200,000. Today, there are 400,000.

Competition became keen. Young ladies flocked to Germany. Easy money was in the offing.

The problem was too many got into the business. Most involuntarily, the rest by choice. Of the 400,000 present day prostitutes, 300,000 are estimated to have come from Eastern Europe. Primarily Romania and Bulgaria. Most  brought into Germany by unscrupulous pimps who had now become legitimate businessmen. Promises were made that the young ladies would have a better life. Lies, of course. They unknowingly were forced into prostitution when they arrived. Threats and beatings became commonplace to keep the women in line.

Where economics is involved, matters come down to supply and demand. Legality brought with it the tremendous influx of new ladies to the profession. As evidenced by the 400,000 prostitutes presently in Germany.

Today, there are 3,000 brothels in Germany. Five hundred in Berlin alone. It is estimated that 1.2 million men pay for sex daily.

With so many women available, competition became cut throat. Prices for sex services suffered. They dropped. Dramatically. In 2002, the charge for oral sex and intercourse was 40 euros. Fifty four dollars American money. Today, 10 euros. Thirteen dollars American money. In many instances, less than 10 euros. Whatever a lady can get.

A buyer's market.

Package deals have come into play. There is a twelve story brothel in Cologne. Every floor and every room occupied by a working girl who must be kept busy. Hi rises are common in the German brothel business. The Cologne one offers the customer all the sex and all the alcohol he wants for as long as the customer wants it. For 50 euros.  Roughly $65 American money. Another in a different city offers all the sex the customer can handle in one visit for 50 euros. These prices include multiple companions.

Germany has also become known as the discount sex capital of the world. Obviously.

Tour promoters from other countries, including the United States, offer six day packages. Business is booming. Thailand formerly had the distinction of being the sex capital. Germany has outdistanced Thailand because of it cheap prices.

Big business requires marketing to continue successfully. Brothel operators offer all sort of incentives. An afternoon discount for men 66 or older. A 20 per cent discount to the unemployed. Day passes. Rebates to golfers. Flat rates. Flat rates being the one price for all services for as long as desired described herein before.

Prostitutes have been left behind. Those whose lives were to have been enriched by the 2002 law. There are no contracts, pension or medical plans. The ladies are subjected to significantly more abuse than before.

Business is tough. Brothel operators have become tough. The girls are required to service more men per day. Whereas most used to do 10 men per day, the number is now 20 or 40, depending on the brothel involved. Unbelievable! In the infrequent times they are not working, the ladies are kept crowded in small single rooms with one bed. No toilet facility, except down the hall.

Germany and the municipalities are not suffering, however. They are getting rich tax wise.

Germany's federal government taxes a prostitute's income. Brothel operators are also taxed. A flat rate per prostitute per day. Twenty five to 30 euros. Note per day.

The municipalities also tax. Acceptable conduct in the taxing world.

All this amounts to triple taxation. Not double taxation.

The tax flow dollars are tremendous. No source could be discovered  which measured the federal government's take. However, information was available indicating the tax income of certain municipalities. Astronomical!

Not everyone is inclined to voluntarily pay taxes. Tax avoidance is a universal game at every level and profession. Bonn was concerned the street walkers were not paying. Without  a brothel operator or pimp, it was difficult to compel voluntary payment.

Bonn put in automated pay stations on the streets. Like parking meters. Each street walker is required to deposit 6 euros a night. Nine dollars American money. Police keep tabs on the ladies. They cannot be arrested for prostitution as it is legal. They can however be fined for not having their 6 euro receipt.

Bonn's cost for each meter was $11,575 American money. The number speaks for itself as to the tax dollars involved.

The Bonn street walkers are incensed. They consider the meter double taxation.

Bonn does provide a service. It has constructed large wood garages where the ladies can take their customers to do the deed in the privacy of a customer's car.

The thrust of this article is not that prostitution is legal in Germany. It is legal in other places. Nevada, Amsterdam, and Sweden for example. The thrust is to show another example of how Germany came up with a brilliant idea to help a  certain class. The help did not materialize. Never the less, Germany benefited. The class walked away empty handed. In worse condition than before.

Germany did it with the euro union. It has done it again with the prostitutes.

Please Germany, no more brilliant ideas! No ideas! You are bad news!