Quote:
Originally Posted by Lune
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Their pensions are paying for the German economy? What a curious statement. You solely blame the Euro for the languid southern European economies? It's as simple as that? Not deep-seated cultural issues and an inability to adapt to a changing economic climate? The German economy is successful because of good institutions, good leadership, a favorable culture, a healthy political system, productive workforce, and many many other variables.
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The euro was a bad idea, and it was pushed by Germany and the other Northern European nations. Those Southern European nations weren't competitive back then, and tying them to the same currency was essentially a tariff on their goods. Who in Europe would buy a Greek product when they cost the same amount as a German one? Look at Germany's trade surpluses. They are taking advantage of people.
Also, if you're blaming this on the culture of Southern Europe, it's very easy to make the same argument that people in the US have the same problem. I hear all the time that it's "the lack of a two parent family" or a "culture of entitlement" that keep people in poverty here. Which is it, a state issue, or an issue of culture? If it's a state issue, then it's clear that the people who designed the Euro were either corrupt of incompetent. If it's a cultural problem, I'll be sure to remember that the next time I hear someone in this country complain. I seem to remember a man saying something to the effect of 47% of Americans don't want to work. Are you saying that the south of Europe has a cultural issue which makes them uncompetitive?? Sounds awfully republican