Politics & Stuff

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Varoufakis is a very interesting one. The Europeans asked for his head for the negotiations to continue even though, unlike his replacement, Varoufakis is not originally a leftist. But he's charismatic, is US schooled and speaks English very eloquently and very persuasively. Which just goes to show what the EU actually fears: it's not the Greek debt but the spreading of an anti-austerity movement that can actually make a change to the rest of Europe and beyond.

There is a huge anti-austerity anti-capitalist sentiment throughout Europe following the meltdown and the subsequent bailouts and austerity measure which are nothing short of a class war on the poor and working class. But there is no space for actual change inside the political parties and systems in Europe and the US but if a party like Syriza can win for the Greek people, then that would give rise to similar parties all over Europe. Their rise to power has already gained popular support for anti-austerity movements in Spain, Portugal, France...etc. Even Bernie Sanders in the US has been very popular as a result. Who would have thought that a socialist would be a serious presidential candidate in the US?!

And if it's not socialists like Sanders or leftists like Tsipras it's going to be right wing fascists and racists like Le Pen in France or Farage in the UK. The Germans have squeezed too hard. The need for a believable promise of genuine change is boiling under the surface. It's just a question of if someone/who can unleash the wave and then ride it.

[iseah100 5,612]

Varoufakis is a very interesting one. The Europeans asked for his head for the negotiations to continue even though, unlike his replacement, Varoufakis is not originally a leftist. But he's charismatic, is US schooled and speaks English very eloquently and very persuasively. Which just goes to show what the EU actually fears: it's not the Greek debt but the spreading of an anti-austerity movement that can actually make a change to the rest of Europe and beyond.

There is a huge anti-austerity anti-capitalist sentiment throughout Europe following the meltdown and the subsequent bailouts and austerity measure which are nothing short of a class war on the poor and working class. But there is no space for actual change inside the political parties and systems in Europe and the US but if a party like Syriza can win for the Greek people, then that would give rise to similar parties all over Europe. Their rise to power has already gained popular support for anti-austerity movements in Spain, Portugal, France...etc. Even Bernie Sanders in the US has been very popular as a result. Who would have thought that a socialist would be a serious presidential candidate in the US?!

And if it's not socialists like Sanders or leftists like Tsipras it's going to be right wing fascists and racists like Le Pen in France or Farage in the UK. The Germans have squeezed too hard. The need for a believable promise of genuine change is boiling under the surface. It's just a question of if someone/who can unleash the wave and then ride it.

I love Sanders. Getting a lot of steam for his campaign, specifically from younger voters. I'm voting for him.

[Kieran. 6,317]

Why would anyone trust any politician, ever?

[Spike 12,049]

Why would anyone trust any politician, ever?

I bet Obama's daughters and wife trust him.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I love Sanders. Getting a lot of steam for his campaign, specifically from younger voters. I'm voting for him.

I refuse to have false hope for Bernie. He would be sooo much better than any of the other candidates but that is exactly why he won't make it despite how much I want him to.

Why would anyone trust any politician, ever?

Because if there is a possibility that you can choose between having cancer, aids or a cold, you'd want to have that choice. Does any of them fulfill the people's hopes? Of course not. But there are differences, even if small that can have serious impacts on peoples lives.

[Kieran. 6,317]

I refuse to have false hope for Bernie. He would be sooo much better than any of the other candidates but that is exactly why he won't make it despite how much I want him to.

Because if there is a possibility that you can choose between having cancer, aids or a cold, you'd want to have that choice. Does any of them fulfill the people's hopes? Of course not. But there are differences, even if small that can have serious impacts on peoples lives.

Ok.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Ok.

Just entertain our hopeless optimism...only until the revolution, of course!

[cosmicway 1,333]

The new finance minister of Greece is mr. Tsakalotos, a leftist indeed.

But do you know what the name Tsakalotos means in Greece ?

Tsakalotos grand father was the general of the Greek army who smashed the communist rebellion in 1949 !
A name dreaded by the communists for decades.

Tsakalotos the general had nothing to do with the junta of 1967. He was a patriot.

Initially, in 1948, the Greek army was under the leadership of American general Van Fleet. Van Fleet made some serious strategic errors in his effort to encircle the communist hideouts in the mountains. He was replaced by general Papagos -the war hero- and Thrayvoulos Tsakalotos was in charge of operations in the mountains. Under the inspired leadership of those two the Greek army marched from victory to victory, until what was left of the insurgents had to flee across the border to neighbouring Albania (the Hoxha regime).
During the last years of his life, Tsakalotos was visited by the surviving communist general Marco Vafiadis -his opponent in the mountain war.
Vafiadis said that war should never have happened and the two old men became friends.
Somehow the grandson became a leftist and eventually joined the SYRIZA party.

[cosmicway 1,333]

Varoufakis is a very interesting one. The Europeans asked for his head for the negotiations to continue even though, unlike his replacement, Varoufakis is not originally a leftist. But he's charismatic, is US schooled and speaks English very eloquently and very persuasively. Which just goes to show what the EU actually fears: it's not the Greek debt but the spreading of an anti-austerity movement that can actually make a change to the rest of Europe and beyond.

There is a huge anti-austerity anti-capitalist sentiment throughout Europe following the meltdown and the subsequent bailouts and austerity measure which are nothing short of a class war on the poor and working class. But there is no space for actual change inside the political parties and systems in Europe and the US but if a party like Syriza can win for the Greek people, then that would give rise to similar parties all over Europe. Their rise to power has already gained popular support for anti-austerity movements in Spain, Portugal, France...etc. Even Bernie Sanders in the US has been very popular as a result. Who would have thought that a socialist would be a serious presidential candidate in the US?!

And if it's not socialists like Sanders or leftists like Tsipras it's going to be right wing fascists and racists like Le Pen in France or Farage in the UK. The Germans have squeezed too hard. The need for a believable promise of genuine change is boiling under the surface. It's just a question of if someone/who can unleash the wave and then ride it.

The leftists approach things in childish fashion.

To them "democratic Europe" means the political parties they consider affiliated to them should win everywhere, every time.

That's impossible and even undemocratic indeed.

It further does n't follow that Europe under the influence of mainly SYRIZA type parties will knock on his door and say "here mister Tsipras, you can have all the euros you want and make them into confetti - we English, French, Portuguese patriotic socialists will pay the bill, hairdressers et al" !

In Europe there should be more direct democracy indeed.

It's not as if it is a dictatorship under generalissimo Franco now, but more democracy is needed.

Those who are in direct opposition to it are the eurosceptics who don't want any Europe at all.

Also the die hard reds who are still crying because the Soviet tanks failed to reach Calais,

In addition there should be a common fiscal policy.

We have common monetary policy but without common fiscal policiy we are like a team without goalkeeper indeed.

Once we elect who is in charge of finance -the "tzar" as is nicknamed- I don't see the problem. It's as democratic as any other democratic system.

[lucio 5,418]

So people inheriting mansions aren't taxed, but now student grants are abolished (got mine a few months just in time) , terminally ill people are questioned forcefully in front of their families.

They were targeted to reduce child poverty, and they just redefined child poverty.

Tory absolute cunts. Guy fawkes had the right idea

[cosmicway 1,333]

So people inheriting mansions aren't taxed, but now student grants are abolished (got mine a few months just in time) , terminally ill people are questioned forcefully in front of their families.

They were targeted to reduce child poverty, and they just redefined child poverty.

Tory absolute cunts. Guy fawkes had the right idea

If those Tory behaviours are to be called extreme, it is the fault of the leftists who make wild marches and burn theatres and cinemas.

The people are estranged and vote Tory.

In addition we have the Moscow-Lenin branch of leftists with their tanks (in their imagination now).

[lucio 5,418]

If those Tory behaviours are to be called extreme, it is the fault of the leftists who make wild marches and burn theatres and cinemas.

The people are estranged and vote Tory.

In addition we have the Moscow-Lenin branch of leftists with their tanks (in their imagination now).

It's not extreme. Just bullying the easy targets. I'm not immersed in modern politics , but it's obviously unfair to me.

[cosmicway 1,333]

It's not extreme. Just bullying the easy targets. I'm not immersed in modern politics , but it's obviously unfair to me.

I 'm not a "Smith square" employee.

But the leftists are equally problematic and perhaps more.

In 1967-74 we had junta black is black in Greece. Yet the poor Bulgarians who were living under communist regime were escaping to Greece hidden in refrigerator vans. Sometimes the doctors had to amputate their legs.

[Stingray 9,441]

Sigh. This thread. [emoji37]

[CHOULO19 24,332]

The leftists approach things in childish fashion.

To them "democratic Europe" means the political parties they consider affiliated to them should win everywhere, every time.

That's impossible and even undemocratic indeed.

It further does n't follow that Europe under the influence of mainly SYRIZA type parties will knock on his door and say "here mister Tsipras, you can have all the euros you want and make them into confetti - we English, French, Portuguese patriotic socialists will pay the bill, hairdressers et al" !

In Europe there should be more direct democracy indeed.

It's not as if it is a dictatorship under generalissimo Franco now, but more democracy is needed.

Those who are in direct opposition to it are the eurosceptics who don't want any Europe at all.

Also the die hard reds who are still crying because the Soviet tanks failed to reach Calais,

In addition there should be a common fiscal policy.

We have common monetary policy but without common fiscal policiy we are like a team without goalkeeper indeed.

Once we elect who is in charge of finance -the "tzar" as is nicknamed- I don't see the problem. It's as democratic as any other democratic system.

No, it's undemocratic because the financial policies are being decided by banks and not people. The referendum made it very clear that Greek citizens don't agree with those policies.

And the people, and I mean actual people, all across Europe have the same disillusionment with financial policies. If it's not parties like Syriza, it's going to be right wing fascists that oppose austerity and gain the people's support.

Let's not pretend that the European loans were some sort of charity towards the Greek people. The Troika was first and foremost bailing out German and French banks that Greece owned money to originally, and they're bailing them out using Greek tax money.

Because that's what the bailouts and the austerity measures are: class war. The banks fuck up and working class people have to bail them out. It's a war on the working and the poor to preserve the rich. Austerity and bailouts are not viable financial policies, they are ideological policies to keep the few at the top.

You say "Die hard reds" but over 60% of the people refused more austerity measures. This isn't about politics anymore, it's about not wanting to continue to suffer for something that is proven not to work all for protecting the rich and the powerful.

Iceland, the only country that jailed the criminal bankers, rejected austerity and accepted inflation is the first European country to beat its pre-crisis peak of economic output.

[cosmicway 1,333]

No, it's undemocratic because the financial policies are being decided by banks and not people. The referendum made it very clear that Greek citizens don't agree with those policies.

And the people, and I mean actual people, all across Europe have the same disillusionment with financial policies. If it's not parties like Syriza, it's going to be right wing fascists that oppose austerity and gain the people's support.

Let's not pretend that the European loans were some sort of charity towards the Greek people. The Troika was first and foremost bailing out German and French banks that Greece owned money to originally, and they're bailing them out using Greek tax money.

Because that's what the bailouts and the austerity measures are: class war. The banks fuck up and working class people have to bail them out. It's a war on the working and the poor to preserve the rich. Austerity and bailouts are not viable financial policies, they are ideological policies to keep the few at the top.

You say "Die hard reds" but over 60% of the people refused more austerity measures. This isn't about politics anymore, it's about not wanting to continue to suffer for something that is proven not to work all for protecting the rich and the powerful.

Iceland, the only country that jailed the criminal bankers, rejected austerity and accepted inflation is the first European country to beat its pre-crisis peak of economic output.

The banks keep your money.

They also use it to finance various types of projects.

They also pocket some - you can't escape that.

Do you think the company to which you pay your phone bills are saints ? Or they take just enough to pay the workers who dig the streets to place the optical fibers ?

So it's not as cut and dry as you say.

Now that the dust seems to be settling it looks like we 're going to pay through the nose for a new agreement.

Back in January the government of mr. Samaras talked of 2.5 bil additional tax measures for the year 2015 and for 2016 they promised we will be free of such obligations - meaning that we are going to have a balanced budget and there will be therefore no need for additional punitive tax measures. Syriza accused him of robbing the people's blodd but I did n't hear the word "liar". Something in "liar" I did n't hear and now the total bill for three years is 50 bil -courtesy of mr. Tsipras (also the supporters of mr. Samaras are now saying they were talking of 1 bil, but as I remember 2.5, I say 2.5).

What's the trick ?

How is it that the verbose and resounding "no" became a yes, before the rooster crowed thrice ?

Let me tell you the dark secrets of the turf:

Tsipras made the referendum to lose. He says we lose, then an ecumenical government signs the agreement, then there will be elections in October - as ecumenical governments cannot go beyond 5-6 months. I will say "I 'm a hero, I fought on the beaches, vote for me again". He stood a good chance as well.

But, but, but ...

The result was 61% no. A simple comparison with the result of the last elections shows this was 40% left wing and 20% right wing. Granted in the last election we had 10% right wing anti-european vote, that makes an additional 10% right wing vote.

Those who disagree with that analysis talk of 25% right wing vote because -they say- 5% of Syriza supporters voted yes (that's a minority view with which I disagree).

So the JUNTA voted the yes.

I don't know how many of them are of the neo-nazi golden dawn type and how many are of other type, but it's 20% JUNTA vote.

Their reasoning is diabolical as you can readily grasp and nothing to do with the poor masses etc (who are indeed poor masses and have big problems during the present crisis - there can be no doubt about that).

So mr. Tsipras p*ssed in his p*nts as well as apprehensive of the consequences of a disorderly Grexit, goes off and signs.

End of story.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

So people inheriting mansions aren't taxed, but now student grants are abolished (got mine a few months just in time) , terminally ill people are questioned forcefully in front of their families.

They were targeted to reduce child poverty, and they just redefined child poverty.

Tory absolute cunts. Guy fawkes had the right idea

The reason why they're being abolished is because students (especially foreign ones, as it's easier to do if the govt can't even chase you for payment) took the grants and then never paid it back. If you wanna blame somebody then blame those students who did not wish to pay back in again.

Literally the only difference now is that you are now legally obligated to pay for your loans opposed to being able to blow it off. You don't have a right to have it for free.

You're part of the problem, just like all the middle class families that think they have a right to child benefit. Regarding the child poverty comment, under the old system it was possible that if everybody earned £1,000,000 a year then a family earning £200,000 a year would be considered to be in poverty. That's not right.

Finally I'm pretty sure taking lower earners out of tax altogether is a better plan than taking their money and then giving it back through the benefits system.

[Fulham Broadway 17,335]

One year since the murderous attack on Gaza killing over 2000.

One year on, there is still devastation, Israel even bans the import of planks of wood -they say they could be used as weapons.

Districts that had plumbing, electricity and communities now look like 'The Last of Us'.

Children and teenagers suffer from numerous nervous disorders, such as knawing their hands, and regularly wet the bed at night.

But what is fantastic is the spirit that has not been broken in many Palestinians

[cosmicway 1,333]

The reason why they're being abolished is because students (especially foreign ones, as it's easier to do if the govt can't even chase you for payment) took the grants and then never paid it back. If you wanna blame somebody then blame those students who did not wish to pay back in again.

Literally the only difference now is that you are now legally obligated to pay for your loans opposed to being able to blow it off. You don't have a right to have it for free.

You're part of the problem, just like all the middle class families that think they have a right to child benefit. Regarding the child poverty comment, under the old system it was possible that if everybody earned £1,000,000 a year then a family earning £200,000 a year would be considered to be in poverty. That's not right.

Finally I'm pretty sure taking lower earners out of tax altogether is a better plan than taking their money and then giving it back through the benefits system.

Those grants have to be repaid if your income after uiniv, is above a certain thseshold, or no ?

I remember one showed me the contract. I think it was 2008 or 2009 and the university was Essex.

It mentioned 65,000 euros a year and he did n't say anything to me about not having the intention to repay, but he said "fat chance" about the 65k. I don't know quite what he is doing now.

[cosmicway 1,333]

About universities it is a fact that in Tory ideology only the rich who should be able to afford.

Hence all the tricky laws they make.

That way there will be only Tory graduates and fewer with other political affiliations, including the more radical ones.

Therefore the intelligentia of the future who will inevitably make industries run will be part and parcel of Smith square.

That's what they always believed.

It's true that in the early fifties universities were spy recruiting grounds, notably Oxford and Cambridge. The reds were scheming to take over Britain. It was what we call today an "asymmetric threat". But they are taking it too far, because they want every one to go around with a photograph of mr. Cameron in his pocket.