Greece MPs approve new austerity budget amid protests

[Pete]

Greece MPs approve new austerity budget amid protests

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20293058

"..........The head of Syriza, a left-wing opposition party, said the budget cuts would leave Greeks unable to afford essential goods this winter.

"This is why we say you are dangerous for this country," Alexis Tspiras said, telling the government: "You are incapable of negotiating."........................"

I think negotiating and compromise was what got them in the mess they're in.

Coming to the US every so soon.

[Badger52]

Ah, no home schooling. Syriza's literal definition of 'negotiate' now means, "we still want our stuff."

We may see street performances before the DVD release.

[Richard]

Reminds me of my sons when they were younger and I instituted austerity measures by cutting their allowances when they failed to do their chores as we'd negotiated.

Richard

[longrange1947]

Pete, it is already here. Harry Reid and company's form of compromise and negotiation is to demand the Republicans do as they say and any variance is obstinance and obstruction. We now have a multitude of organizations doing the same thing and being bankrolled by the left for more power. And we have 47% of the country with their hand out.

I go with Ben Franklin, make them damn uncomfortable in poverty and they will leave poverty behind. I hear one more bleeding heart about how they are going to starve to death and I think I will puke.

I am tired of paying for Obama phones, and every other "buy the vote" gimmick used by the left to maintain power on the backs of people that actually have done something with their life.

End of line.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

I am tired of paying for Obama phones, and every other "buy the vote" gimmick used by the left to maintain power on the backs of people that actually have done something with their life.

Funding for this program far precedes the Obama Administration and came through the Lifeline government program which was established in 1984 (Reagan Administration) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to assist low income families and update communication services in areas affected by disasters.

On September 29, 2009, the prepaid cell phone provider Tracfone Wireless, Inc., announced the launch of SafeLink Wireless in Illinois. According to a September 29, 2009 Reuters article, SafeLink Wireless is the first and only completely free offering of Lifeline -- a U.S. government supported program for income eligible households that ensures telephone service is available and affordable for eligible low-income households. The TracFone Wireless company is a subsidiary of América Móvil S.A.B. de C.V. based in Mexico City.

Although people now refer to this program as the "Obama phone," the Reuters article said that the program was based on a decision made by the FCC to "enhance its Lifeline program and keep the right to communicate in pace with technology." The concept of providing cellular phones to low income families actually dates back before the Obama administration. According to a June 3, 2008 wirelessandmobilenews.com article, TracFone became the "first wireless provider to be designated by the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) as an eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) for the purpose of offering Lifeline."

In order to qualify, families (poor, elderly, infirm) must meet certain criteria and verify income annually.

Funding for the Lifeline program is collected in the form of surcharges that are included in telephone and cellular phone bills.

And so it goes...

Richard

[longrange1947]

Richard, if you go to the "Official Obama Phone site" (h**p://obamaphone.net/) they will talk about how it was started before Woodrow Wilson. Still does not piss me off that free phones are being paid for by our money, whether taxes directly or indirectly in so called "fees". Now they want to extend an emergency measure to free internet. Again another freebie buying votes.

A pig is a pig is a pig.

[Team Sergeant]

Greece had no choice in the matter. There was no reason to argue as they did. They either voted yes or they would be foreclosed on, period.

Socialism is great until you run out of "other" people's money. Margaret Thatcher

This time Germany took a stand and said "no" to Greece. I wonder if I can move to Germany and become a citizen there?

Socialism, coming to America sooner than you think.....

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

Richard, if you go to the "Official Obama Phone site" (h**p://obamaphone.net/) they will talk about how it was started before Woodrow Wilson. Still does not piss me off that free phones are being paid for by our money, whether taxes directly or indirectly in so called "fees". Now they want to extend an emergency measure to free internet. Again another freebie buying votes.

A pig is a pig is a pig.

IMO, if one looks as far as the closest on-street parking space, roadway, or free way, one can find examples of projects that are subsidized by people who don't use or need them.

To me, if we're going to have a conversation about some "free" stuff, we need to be ready to talk about all of it. And if we're going to say everyone should pay as they go and that public services should be run like private businesses, then we need to be ready to have transponders in our cars and rates that are keyed not only to demand, but to time of demand as well.

Otherwise, we're profoundly vulnerable to the counter argument that we're only willing to talk about some pigs and not others.

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

IMO, if one looks as far as the closest on-street parking space, roadway, or free way, one can find examples of projects that are subsidized by people who don't use or need them.

To me, if we're going to have a conversation about some "free" stuff, we need to be ready to talk about all of it. And if we're going to say everyone should pay as they go and that public services should be run like private businesses, then we need to be ready to have transponders in our cars and rates that are keyed not only to demand, but to time of demand as well.

Otherwise, we're profoundly vulnerable to the counter argument that we're only willing to talk about some pigs and not others.

Sigaba,
You are discussing apples and oranges in your post. Most "projects" allow for "public" and not "private" or "individual" use. And as I know off hand what the current administration is doing is adding "minutes" to these phones in the line of hundreds of "emergency" minutes. This was NOT the intent of these phones, the intent was to make an "emergency" call if need be.
That said if it's your intent to discuss Greece than do so, targeting certain posts out of the discussion so you can make a personal opinion known is not a way to endear most of us. Leave that for the admins and moderators.
TS

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

Socialism, coming to America sooner than you think.....

I can smell it.

[MR2]

I hear you Sig, but even you can tell the difference between a freeway and a free cell phone!

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Team Sergeant

This time Germany took a stand and said "no" to Greece. I wonder if I can move to Germany and become a citizen there?

TS, might want to hold that flight on the ramp. (Nice the word tranche lets them avoid using PAYMENTS or BAILOUTS too often.)
http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012...nomy+-+Text%29

Published November 13, 2012
Reuters

BERLIN – Germany wants to bundle three tranches of aid to Greece into one payment of more than 44 billion euros, German newspaper Bild said on Tuesday, citing German government sources.

A German finance ministry spokeswoman, asked to comment on the Bild report, said no final decision had yet been made on next loan payments to Greece.

Bild said the payment would comprise the 31.3 billion euros dating from the second quarter that Greece hopes to receive soon to avert bankruptcy along with further tranches of 5 billion euros and 8.3 billion euros for the third and fourth quarters.

Earlier on Tuesday, Greece's international lenders clashed over how to help the stricken country bring its debts down to a sustainable level. (Reporting by Gernot Heller; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Stephen Brown)