I would like proof of your declaration of "a robust welfare state".
I have lived in Greece for 25 years and have seen absolutely no demonstration of such welfare. If you are poor or sick in Greece you are doomed. I live above a Greek OAP centre, supposedly for the protection of the elderly. The "OAPs" who come mostly comprise men who have little better to do with their time than argue with each other and right the world. They pay a membership fee for this club, because that is what it is really, a club. It has a doctor visit each week I believe. There is no meals on wheels, or in-home help for the elderly provided by the state.
If you have never worked you will not receive unemployment benefit. For those who do get unemployment benefit, it is means tested. Those of us who are self-employed and have health coverage often don't bother going to claim back our medical expenses. My antihistamines cost me around 10 euros a month. I am entitled to some percentage of that back... the hour (or more like two) it will take me to do and submit the paperwork alone means it's not worth bothering with. If you are ill, you hope your family will have a doctor they can trust, or plenty of money to pay the fakelaki - for surgery especially, you need to "pay" the anaesthetist.... I can hear you shout "Report them!" as I type....put yourself in a Greek's shoes... your Mother is about to go under the knife... would you report them? Or just shrug and race to he bank/have a family whipround (or rummage under the mattress today!)? You would truly trust that someone who asks you for money for such a reason is so honourable that your Mother is not at all in danger if you don't pay? They don't need to actually kill anyone.... the threat of disability is a far greater weapon. You cannot change the system when you are constantly hostage to it.
You are seriously deluded and without critical thought if you believe all the hype and propaganda pushed around about Greece. This is certainly NOT a welfare state. There aren't free handouts and a free council house if you get knocked up with a succession of children as a single mother. Instead there is 23% VAT on children's clothing. And children's clothing is very expensive in Greece, and 'Sales' are very strictly regulated.
YES there is a lot wrong with Greece. I am not a socialist myself, so no loyalty from me, but it is clear that this is the first government that is going to make a start on rooting out the corruption. It has made a few changes in the short time that it has had in Government (most of the time has been spent on euro-dallying). I believe it will continue to do so ... meaning we might find out exactly which corrupt German Siemens employees took backhanders from Greeks (corruption needs two parties don't forget), how transparent the airport and road building (German) deal was... and so on. There are many reasons Germany wants this government out. Don;t be naive.
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Running Out Of Cake: Greek Crisis Reveals Consequences Of Socialism
I would like proof of your declaration of "a robust welfare state". I have lived in Greece for 25 years and have seen absolutely no demonstration of such welfare. If you are poor or sick in Greece you are doomed. I live above a Greek OAP centre, supposedly for the protection of the elderly. The "OAPs" who come mostly comprise men who have little better to do with their time than argue with each other and right the world. They pay a membership fee for this club, because that is what it is really, a club. It has a doctor visit each week I believe. There is no meals on wheels, or in-home help for the elderly provided by the state. If you have never worked you will not receive unemployment benefit. For those who do get unemployment benefit, it is means tested. Those of us who are self-employed and have health coverage often don't bother going to claim back our medical expenses. My antihistamines cost me around 10 euros a month. I am entitled to some percentage of that back... the hour (or more like two) it will take me to do and submit the paperwork alone means it's not worth bothering with. If you are ill, you hope your family will have a doctor they can trust, or plenty of money to pay the fakelaki - for surgery especially, you need to "pay" the anaesthetist.... I can hear you shout "Report them!" as I type....put yourself in a Greek's shoes... your Mother is about to go under the knife... would you report them? Or just shrug and race to he bank/have a family whipround (or rummage under the mattress today!)? You would truly trust that someone who asks you for money for such a reason is so honourable that your Mother is not at all in danger if you don't pay? They don't need to actually kill anyone.... the threat of disability is a far greater weapon. You cannot change the system when you are constantly hostage to it. You are seriously deluded and without critical thought if you believe all the hype and propaganda pushed around about Greece. This is certainly NOT a welfare state. There aren't free handouts and a free council house if you get knocked up with a succession of children as a single mother. Instead there is 23% VAT on children's clothing. And children's clothing is very expensive in Greece, and 'Sales' are very strictly regulated. YES there is a lot wrong with Greece. I am not a socialist myself, so no loyalty from me, but it is clear that this is the first government that is going to make a start on rooting out the corruption. It has made a few changes in the short time that it has had in Government (most of the time has been spent on euro-dallying). I believe it will continue to do so ... meaning we might find out exactly which corrupt German Siemens employees took backhanders from Greeks (corruption needs two parties don't forget), how transparent the airport and road building (German) deal was... and so on. There are many reasons Germany wants this government out. Don;t be naive.