Athens was burning yesterday. The Greek government came together to discuss the terms of a new EU/IMF rescue deal for the effectively bankrupt Greek state. The measures voted on (and passed) are highly unpopular amongst the already hard hit Greek citizens, but let’s not not talk about the elephant in the room. If you burn your ass you’re going to have to sit on the blisters. Any business knows that if you spend more than you earn you are one day going to hit rock bottom and go bankrupt. The same goes for any country or economy. Years, even decades, of mismanagement, civil servant perks such as jobs for life and a 14 month salary, tax evasion in one form or another by just about every Greek citizen and simply living above your means have resulted in the Greece it is today. Greece gave us democracy and the Olympic Games, but it also gave us thousands of dead people still claiming pensions, thousands of people on an island registered as blind or deaf to claim benefits, civil servants sitting in the sun at the age of 50 and enjoying their 14 months-a-year pensions, wasteful and corrupt leaders of business and politicians, tens of thousands of people not paying taxes on their swimming pool (until the Greek government discovered Google Maps)and hundreds of thousands of people who got their job because of favors and not competence.
Basically it is one big mess and you can blame others us much as you like, but it all starts by looking in the mirror.
Basically it is one big mess and you can blame others us much as you like, but it all starts by looking in the mirror.
Two anti-austerity banners, placed by activists of the Greek Communist party, are displayed on a hill at the Acropolis in Athens February 11, 2012. Greek lawmakers will vote this weekend on a controversial austerity bill that Athens needs to avoid a messy default but which is fuelling a domestic political and social crisis that has brought thousands of Greeks out on the streets in protest. REUTERS/Eurokinissi/Antonis Nikolopoulos
Riot policemen walk in front of the parliament during an anti-austerity rally in Athens February 11, 2012. The Greek government told rebellious lawmakers on Saturday to back a deeply unpopular EU/IMF rescue in parliament or send the nation down an unknown, dangerous path to default and international economic isolation. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
Anti-austerity protesters draped with Greek flags stand in front of police guarding the parliament in Athens February 11, 2012 during a demonstration on the second day of a 48-hour strike by Greek workers unions. The Greek government told rebellious lawmakers on Saturday to back a deeply unpopular EU/IMF rescue in parliament or send the nation down an unknown, dangerous path to default and international economic isolation. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Anti-austerity protesters wave a Greek flag in front of the heavily guarded parliament in Athens' Syntagma square during a demonstration February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Thousands of people take part in an anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Police in riot gear stand guard outside the parliament in Athens' Syntagma square during a huge anti-austerity demonstration February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.
REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Medics try to help an anti-austerity protester who lies unconscious after he was injured by police in front of the parliament in Athens February 11, 2012 during a demonstration on the second day of a 48-hour strike by Greek workers unions. The Greek government told rebellious lawmakers on Saturday to back a deeply unpopular EU/IMF rescue in parliament or send the nation down an unknown, dangerous path to default and international economic isolation. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Demonstrators clash with riot police during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A petrol bomb explodes near riot police during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A riot police officer throws a stone at demonstrators during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A petrol bomb explodes near riot police during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A woman is arrested by riot police during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A riot police officer runs past demonstrators during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A man begs on a street in athens during a demonstration in Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A man plays music in front of riot police during an anti-austerity demontration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A protestor throws a flare towards riot police during violent anti-austerity protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) Square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A man holds a placard reading Troika Merkel go away during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
Two women protect protect them from tear gas during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A petrol bomb explodes in front of the Greek parliament during anti-austerity protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) Square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A man shouts during a huge anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A protestor waves a Greek flag in front of riot police during violent anti-austerity protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A poster depicting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde hangs in front of the Greek parliament during an anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
People run in front of the Greek parliament during an anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A make-shift devise explodes by riot police during an anti-austerity demonstration in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) Square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A man holds an umbrella during a demonstration outside the Greek parliament in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Riot police charge past the defaced facade of a bank during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A make-shift devise explodes during an anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Riot police patrol during an anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
Green laser pointers are aimed at riot police by demonstrators during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A cinema is burning out during anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
Demonstrators run past a Starbucks coffee shop in flames during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A petrol bomb explodes near riot police during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
Riot police walk past a building burning during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A fireman tries to extinguish a burning cinema in Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A riot policeman runs amidst stones and broken refrigerators during riots around Syntagma square in Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
A riot policeman tries to protect himself during riots around Syntagma square in Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis
Protesters walk outside a burning bank branch following violent anti-austerity protests in Athens February 12, 2012. Greek lawmakers looked set to endorse a new and deeply unpopular austerity deal on Sunday to secure a multi-billion-euro bailout and avert what Prime Minister Lucas Papademos warned would be economic chaos.. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A protester injured by policemen is seen during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Riot police move detained protesters past a burning historic building during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
General view of burning buildings around Syntagma (Constitution) square during violent protests in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Detained protesters are guarded by policemen following violent anti-austerity protests in Athens February 12, 2012. The Greek parliament approved a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second EU/IMF bailout and avoid national bankruptcy, as buildings burned across central Athens and violence spread around the country. REUTERS/Panayiotis Tzamaros
A protester runs away from police during a violent anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
Protester hurl rocks at police during a violent anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A protester hurls rocks at police during a violent anti-austerity demonstration in central Athens February 12, 2012. Historic cinemas, cafes and shops went up in flames in central Athens on Sunday as black-masked protesters fought Greek police outside parliament, while inside lawmakers looked set to defy the public rage by endorsing a new EU/IMF austerity deal. REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis
A man passes the defaced facade of the Bankof Greece after a night of violence which followed the Greek parliament approval of a deeply unpopular austerity bill in Athens, February 13, 2012. Police said 150 shops were looted in the capital and 48 buildings set ablaze. REUTERS/John Kolesidis
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