Battle blades begins again to wail about how the Greek crisis will be resolved. The Greek Finance Minister threatens to have a referendum on the membership of the Euro, EMU, if his proposal gets slammed. At the same time the Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem calls on Greece to stop loitering and start acting.

Here we call the crisis "Grexit". Is it the same in Greece?

Yeah, like I said weeks ago... all politics from now on. Economics need far quicker decisions, better planning and a better understanding of numbers. The EU hasn't proven to be capable of doing a stellar job as far as Economics are concerned. I think a fair assessment would be "mediocre reactions at a destructively slow pace". Unfortunately when I say things like that, most you guys think I'm trying to defend Greece! Which is a shame because like Michiel, and probably even more so, all I really care about is a United States of Europe that anyone and everyone would be proud of. Otherwise what's the point? So when I tease him and call him corny it's because it takes one to know one. And I'm cornier than him. Because I'd like to see a Europe that's star-spangled-awesome. Instead what I'm seeing is a humiliating lack of founding fathers. To be fair, the USA set the bar ridiculously high when it comes to intellectual greatness in the Founding Fathers department. So that's my political comment for the day.

Anyway, back to the quoted text. It must have been a slow news day because both the Varoufakis and Dijsselbloem news were pretty much detached from reality, with the media putting words in both their mouths. I may not think much (if at all) of Dijsselbloem as an economist but that doesn't mean I'll defend made-up stories to make my case! It bugs me when the media do not do their job well. Actually, because of my work experience, it's one of my most severe allergies.

As far as Grexit goes, that's not going to happen. It's a stupid idea when you weigh the pros and cons. What I'm about to say is a bit of an oversimplification but "Grexit" scenarios are coming from the financial markets. It's their way of saying that prevailing politics in the EU are unreliable and acting crazy. Of course there are idiots (politicians) both in the EU and in Greece that think it's a good idea because it "feels" right. Feelings however are seldom based on complicated facts. The good news is that Merkel is displaying a deep understanding of this particular subject (can't say the same for a lot of the people in her party), hopefully having learned her lesson for listening to Sarkozy [partly explained here - Europe on the Brink -- A WSJ Documentary]. And Varoufakis is the last person in Europe to believe it's a good idea (can't say the same for a lot of the people in his party).

It's simply a case of most people missing the forest for the trees.

How many here remember what got Margaret Thatcher fired? I could be wrong since I'm going from memory but I think it was mainly her outspoken reservations about the foundations of the EU... How many here realize that history proved her reservations to be sound? And how many here realize the irony in the fact that UKIP have based a whole campaign on something Margaret Thatcher warned of almost 25 years ago?

This is legendary. The first few minutes could have easily been spoken this morning:

Margaret Thatcher's Last Performance as PM

Yeah, like I said weeks ago... all politics from now on. Economics need far quicker decisions, better planning and a better understanding of numbers. The EU hasn't proven to be capable of doing a stellar job as far as Economics are concerned. I think a fair assessment would be "mediocre reactions at a destructively slow pace".

Yeah, sadly thats true. But to be fair, national governments are not exactly fast either. High politics is a slow process most of the time.

Also, I think a problem here is that the EU is basically forced to govern, when it was never really designed for such a task. Normally they are just making rules, policy frameworks, stuff like that. Its then up to the Member States to implement those rules and follow them. And most of those rules are pretty detailed, technical things on very specific policy issues.

The EU are busy doing this:)

Öland is not an island, and it's not 39 other Swedish islands either - if the EU may determine. The reason is that they have bridges to the mainland and Öland is in danger of smaller grants, writes Barometer.
In February could Småland and the surounding islands begin to apply for money from EU Structural Funds until 2020. The aim is to support various projects economically to create regional growth.
But Öland is likely to receive less money because of the connection with the mainland - Öland Bridge.
It's Insular Commission in the EU that has defined the legal definition of an island: An area of ​​land surrounded by water and has no fixed link with the mainland, such as bridge or tunnel.
This means that Gotland can get more in EU subsidies than Öland.
- The regional program has recently been approved by the EU Commission and the Swedish Government. This is said to Gotland County has specific territorial needs, based on its situation as an island, says MEP Anna Hedh (S).
According to Statistics Central Bureau (SCB) list of Sweden's 50 largest islands, only ten would get approved under the EU definition.
How the money is distributed under the Growth Board, and currently is, you can not say how much money Öland may lose.

But how about Britain?
It's an area of ​​land surrounded by water and has fixed link with the mainland with a tunnel:)

btw Öland is translated to "Island Land" in English.
Ö means island and is perhaps the shortest word in the world.

But how about Britain?
It's not an area of ​​land surrounded by water and has no fixed link with the mainland, such as bridge or tunnel:)

Except that there is a tunnel that links the UK to the mainland?

That aside, the UK is a country, and could never apply as such for the regional funds as such. But there are regions within the UK that do apply and receive such funds.

But how about Britain?
It's not an area of ​​land surrounded by water and has no fixed link with the mainland, such as bridge or tunnel:)

Except that there is a tunnel that links the UK to the mainland?

That aside, the UK is a country, and could never apply as such for the regional funds as such. But there are regions within the UK that do apply and receive such funds.

UK is not an island but Britain is:) Nevermind.
But Sweden has thousands of islands. I have not counted them.
We even have different name for different types of islands.
Ö, holme, skär, kobbe and some more.

It's funny. When we go to the UK we always say we are going to England, Scotland or Northern Ireland and perhaps Wales. Not to the UK:)

My sister who now is a British Citizen was very confused when she was here and registred herself in a hotel.
When coming to the country she asked me what to write.
Is it England, Britain, the Commonwealth...? I told her UK because it's shorter than England:)

I wonder if our friends in the US understand this?

Britain joined in with the Scots and became Great Britain.

I think the Scots would phrase that 'rather differently'.

:))

---

"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>

I know all that but the hotel was in Stockholm and we dont know what the UK is:)
One king was a Dane viking Before England. Dont remember the name but it was in the mideast.

What happened to the Commonwealth?

Britain joined in with the Scots and became Great Britain.

I think the Scots would phrase that 'rather differently'.

:))

How about:
England bailed out Scotland after it was left broke by its failed trade enterprises, in return Scotland joined England and Wales to form Great Britain under the acts of union.
Better?

---

Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.

Ops I did this.
https://www.google.se/#q=grexit%20news
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_government-debt_crisis
Greece is the biggest loser with more than a million jobs lost since 2010.
Are there any good news from Grekland?

Travel Magazine Vagabond December 8, 2014 · Stockholm ·
Good news: A few years ago the Greek economy hit rock bottom, even the tourists betrayaled the country. But now it's dawn in Greece. Tourism is growing at a record pace and the Greek Parliament put forward tonight for the first time in almost 30 years a budget that is broadly in balance.

My GF's daughter and family are going soon to Crete.

Alex. My precious is back after murder treaths and hate mail:)
https://translate.google.se/translate?hl=sv&sl=sv&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.svt.se%2Fkultur%2Fjag-ar-radd-hela-tiden

That fakelakis causes economic crises is nonsense IMHO.
But for the less fortunate it's becoming a burden.
With an unemployment around 27% it so many people that can afford to give fakelakis.
My guess that's why fakelakis are decreasing.

I am positive that previously seen defenses like this are definitely nonsense: "I'm also sure that 'fakelaki' has nothing to do with tax-evasion or bribing."

You do not seem like the kind of person that can fathom anyone but yourself as being correct, but I'll once again take the bait in case anyone in this thread still cares about nitpicking an issue that has nothing to do with Greece's current mess.

By the way, I'm also sure that 'fakelaki' has nothing to do with tax-evasion or bribing.

- "fakelaki" is an old wacky tradition the current senior citizen generation has of sometimes tipping public surgeons after surgery, with no hint that the doctor expects or will even accept the money (or perishables as noted previously).

- "someone asking to be lubricated" is someone asking for a bribe (any civil servant). I assume it's much easier for the foreign press to talk about cute little envelopes than it is to explain the messy (and sexually charged) act of lubrication. Called "ladoma" or bribe (or "fakelaki" when someone wants to make it sound harmless). And while I've read the stories too, I've never actually met anyone that has fallen in the hands of such a psychopath doctor (though I've heard people that claim to know people that have had to buy off a bureaucrat for quicker service). I'm sure you'll now troll me with 10 more links for my audacity, as I'm obviously not allowed to have any personal experience in life and my memory probably deserves to be erased (by your "logic").

- another scenario which hasn't really been mentioned as far as hospitals goes (and definitely should) are political "favors" i.e. nagging a politician to make a phone call to get someone to "cut in line" (of scheduled surgeries for example). These stories are much more common on the grapevine. Strangely, no money is involved apparently - only the implied promise of a vote.

All 3 scenarios are of course illegal for all persons involved. Many different charges are made by the court but none of them involve tax evasion.

Which brings us to tax-evasion:

- Private doctors not giving out receipts to patients. However most Greeks use public doctors because they are actually quite good. But most Greeks will go to a private dentist though for example, and probably a few other specialists I can't think of right now (plastic surgeons?).

Instead, should we conclude that austerity reduces corruption?

Yes, we can agree that jumping to conclusions and handing out "cures" that are exponentially worse than the "disease" is a brilliant idea. How's that for snarky? :)

I'd hate to think what your opinion is of much larger scale tax-evasion! Maybe we should wipe out Luxemburg and every IKEA store off the face of the earth?

I'd hate to think what your opinion is of much larger scale tax-evasion! Maybe we should wipe out Luxemburg and every IKEA store off the face of the earth?

Alex Your image "Haters gonna hate" doesn't show.
Others. Copy and paste this URL.
http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p573/alex_seti/HGH_zpsawi3do99.jpg

Tax-evasion:)
The Netherlands is making a name for itself as the new home of the art of cutting corporate tax bills
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/oct/19/tax-avoidance-in-netherlands-becomes-focus-of-campaigners

Swedish icon Ikea is really a Dutch ‘charity’
http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2014/11/ikea-swedish-furniturecompanyidentitytaxavoidance.html
Ikea’s corporate structure is complicated, but the key point is that Ikea is a Netherlands-based “charity.” For many years, the vast majority of its outlets have been controlled by the Dutch company Ingka Holding, which in turn is owned by the not-for-profit Stichting Ingka Foundation, which was created in 1982 by the founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, for the purpose of ”furthering the advancement of architecture and interior design.” The Stichting Ingka Foundation is often listed as the wealthiest charitable foundation in the world, with assets in excess of $35 billion. As a result, Ikea pays a minuscule 3.5 percent nonprofit tax rate, far lower than its for-profit counterparts. In addition, recent revelations from LuxLeaks, an investigative project by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, show the company has made deals with the government of Luxembourg in order to pay as little tax as possible to anyone, anywhere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stichting_INGKA_Foundation

I just read this.
The Greek government is threatening to seize German assets in Greece- as a substitute for war crimes during World War II.
The so-called troika (EU Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund IMF), which represents Greece's lenders would have arrived in Greece on Wednesday, but the meeting seems to have been postponed at least a day.
https://translate.google.se/translate?sl=sv&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dn.se%2Fekonomi%2Fgrekland-hotar-att-ta-tyska-tillgangar-i-beslag%2F&edit-text=

Germany last night declared that Britain would be forced to scrap the pound and join the euro – as David Cameron returned home empty-handed from crisis talks in Berlin.

In a highly-provocative intervention, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble suggested the UK’s struggling economy meant the pound was doomed, and urged the Prime Minister to back Europe’s ailing single currency.

Mr Schauble said the euro would emerge stronger from the current crisis – leaving Britain on the sidelines unless it signed up. He said Britain would be forced to join ‘faster than some people on the British island think’ – despite a pledge by Mr Cameron never to do so.

- 21 November 2011

Are we there yet? ;)

Meanwhile in Iceland...
Iceland drops EU membership bid
- 12 March 2015

Meanwhile in Iceland...
Iceland drops EU membership bid
- 12 March 2015

Re­ac­tions to this move have been com­ing in thick and fast.

Con­sti­tu­tional in­fringe­ment
No par­lia­men­tary man­date
Weak­ness and fear
An at­tack on democ­racy
http://www.mbl.is/english/politics_and_society/2015/03/12/unilateral_eu_move_slammed/

Meanwhile in Iceland...

Former Swedish FM and PM Carl Bildt retweeted this.
Reykjavík Grapevine @rvkgrapevine
· 4 tim för 4 timmar sedan
Iceland's government to Icelanders, Alþingi, the idea of democracy: F**k you.
In clear text in a Scandinavian way btw:)

Alþingi is the Icelandic Parlaiment.

Surprised to see a parliament so pissed off about a governments decision to not seek EU membership. I thought Iceland didnt really have an interest in the EU.

Germany last night declared that Britain would be forced to scrap the pound and join the euro – as David Cameron returned home empty-handed from crisis talks in Berlin.

In a highly-provocative intervention, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble suggested the UK’s struggling economy meant the pound was doomed, and urged the Prime Minister to back Europe’s ailing single currency.

Mr Schauble said the euro would emerge stronger from the current crisis – leaving Britain on the sidelines unless it signed up. He said Britain would be forced to join ‘faster than some people on the British island think’ – despite a pledge by Mr Cameron never to do so.

- 21 November 2011

Ha, that went well!
Love articles like that. Even though it's the Mail.

---

Life on earth is the global equivalent of not storing things in the fridge.