The never-ending austerity that Europe is force-feeding the Greek people is simply not working. Now Greece has loudly said no more.
Global campaign group Avaaz organized this open letter to Angela Merkel on the back of a petition, signed by over half a million Europeans, demanding an end to the failed austerity program in Greece.
As most of the world knew it would, the financial demands made by Europe have crushed the Greek economy, led to mass unemployment, a collapse of the banking system, made the external debt crisis far worse, with the debt problem escalating to an unpayable 175 percent of GDP. The economy now lies broken with tax receipts nose-diving, output and employment depressed, and businesses starved of capital.
The humanitarian impact has been colossal—40 percent of children now live in poverty, infant mortality is sky-rocketing and youth unemployment is close to 50 percent. Corruption, tax evasion and bad accounting by previous Greek governments helped create the debt problem. The Greeks have complied with much of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s call for austerity—cut salaries, cut government spending, slashed pensions, privatized and deregulated, and raised taxes. But in recent years the series of so-called adjustment programs inflicted on the likes of Greece has served only to make a Great Depression the likes of which have been unseen in Europe since 1929-1933. The medicine prescribed by the German Finance Ministry and Brussels has bled the patient, not cured the disease.
Together we urge Chancellor Merkel and the Troika to consider a course correction, to avoid further disaster and enable Greece to remain in the eurozone. Right now, the Greek government is being asked to put a gun to its head and pull the trigger. Sadly, the bullet will not only kill off Greece’s future in Europe. The collateral damage will kill the Eurozone as a beacon of hope, democracy and prosperity, and could lead to far-reaching economic consequences across the world.
“Right now, the Greek government is being asked to put a gun to its head and pull the trigger.”—Piketty, et al.
In the 1950s, Europe was founded on the forgiveness of past debts, notably Germany’s, which generated a massive contribution to post-war economic growth and peace. Today we need to restructure and reduce Greek debt, give the economy breathing room to recover, and allow Greece to pay off a reduced burden of debt over a long period of time. Now is the time for a humane rethink of the punitive and failed program of austerity of recent years and to agree to a major reduction of Greece’s debts in conjunction with much needed reforms in Greece.
To Chancellor Merkel our message is clear; we urge you to take this vital action of leadership for Greece and Germany, and also for the world. History will remember you for your actions this week. We expect and count on you to provide the bold and generous steps towards Greece that will serve Europe for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Heiner Flassbeck, former State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Finance
Thomas Piketty, Professor of Economics at the Paris School of Economics
Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University
Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School
Simon Wren-Lewis, Professor of Economic Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford •
my heart goes out to the greek people. politics and media information tends to exclude and "rationalize" their plight… i can barely imagine what it must be like!! the way you describe the situation, it sure sounds horrible, frustrating, heartbreakingly depressing… hard to continue with one's everyday chores and routines under this regular sword-of-damocles cutlery set… physically and psychologially trying! and yet, life must go on… i'm still hoping (what else could one do?) for an effective change for the better, so you, greece, can figuratively start breathing a little easier again! greetings, sabine.
you captured the right photo for the right theme, i wish all the best for your wonderful country and your wonderful people!!!!
hopefully greatings, alexander
Dear Alexander, this is a meaningful and touching image in combination with your well chosen words. In my thoughts I am with you, the greek people, sold down the river by unconscionable politicians.
Hoping for a better future,
gr. Sabine
My dear friend Alexander,
The photo is a wonderful match to your words, and I agree with you, believe me. In the darkest hours there is always a silver lining. And when doors close, others will open, and there will certainly be new ways the greek people will go. Don't worry.
On your side, Jost
Eine Karstlandschaft scheinbar ohne Leben und Wachstum
ausdrucksstärker hättest Du es nicht zeigen können lieber Alexander
ich wünsche Dir und Deinen Landsleuten alles erdenklich Gute und ganz viel Glück und Sicherheit für Euren weiteren Weg
hab einen erholsamen Sonntag herzliche Grüße von Kristine
lolita cecilia 20/09/2015 15:54 Commentaire de vote
PROJohanna C. 20/09/2015 15:54 Commentaire de vote
Wholeheartedly with you, Alexander, may God save Greece!PRO
JX 20/09/2015 15:54 Commentaire de vote
+++adriana lissandrini 20/09/2015 15:54 Commentaire de vote
Great picture in all aspects.PRO!!!
Antigone44 19/07/2015 21:49
The never-ending austerity that Europe is force-feeding the Greek people is simply not working. Now Greece has loudly said no more.Global campaign group Avaaz organized this open letter to Angela Merkel on the back of a petition, signed by over half a million Europeans, demanding an end to the failed austerity program in Greece.
As most of the world knew it would, the financial demands made by Europe have crushed the Greek economy, led to mass unemployment, a collapse of the banking system, made the external debt crisis far worse, with the debt problem escalating to an unpayable 175 percent of GDP. The economy now lies broken with tax receipts nose-diving, output and employment depressed, and businesses starved of capital.
The humanitarian impact has been colossal—40 percent of children now live in poverty, infant mortality is sky-rocketing and youth unemployment is close to 50 percent. Corruption, tax evasion and bad accounting by previous Greek governments helped create the debt problem. The Greeks have complied with much of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s call for austerity—cut salaries, cut government spending, slashed pensions, privatized and deregulated, and raised taxes. But in recent years the series of so-called adjustment programs inflicted on the likes of Greece has served only to make a Great Depression the likes of which have been unseen in Europe since 1929-1933. The medicine prescribed by the German Finance Ministry and Brussels has bled the patient, not cured the disease.
Together we urge Chancellor Merkel and the Troika to consider a course correction, to avoid further disaster and enable Greece to remain in the eurozone. Right now, the Greek government is being asked to put a gun to its head and pull the trigger. Sadly, the bullet will not only kill off Greece’s future in Europe. The collateral damage will kill the Eurozone as a beacon of hope, democracy and prosperity, and could lead to far-reaching economic consequences across the world.
“Right now, the Greek government is being asked to put a gun to its head and pull the trigger.”—Piketty, et al.
In the 1950s, Europe was founded on the forgiveness of past debts, notably Germany’s, which generated a massive contribution to post-war economic growth and peace. Today we need to restructure and reduce Greek debt, give the economy breathing room to recover, and allow Greece to pay off a reduced burden of debt over a long period of time. Now is the time for a humane rethink of the punitive and failed program of austerity of recent years and to agree to a major reduction of Greece’s debts in conjunction with much needed reforms in Greece.
To Chancellor Merkel our message is clear; we urge you to take this vital action of leadership for Greece and Germany, and also for the world. History will remember you for your actions this week. We expect and count on you to provide the bold and generous steps towards Greece that will serve Europe for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Heiner Flassbeck, former State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Finance
Thomas Piketty, Professor of Economics at the Paris School of Economics
Jeffrey D. Sachs, Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy and Management, and Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University
Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, Harvard Kennedy School
Simon Wren-Lewis, Professor of Economic Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford •
Antigone44 19/07/2015 20:09
Dear Alexander,what or whom would have to choose the disappointed,angry People ?
All the best from Kerkyra,Antigoni
Dinu Filipescu 18/07/2015 14:47
Excellent photography !s. sabine krause 17/07/2015 11:13
my heart goes out to the greek people. politics and media information tends to exclude and "rationalize" their plight… i can barely imagine what it must be like!! the way you describe the situation, it sure sounds horrible, frustrating, heartbreakingly depressing… hard to continue with one's everyday chores and routines under this regular sword-of-damocles cutlery set… physically and psychologially trying! and yet, life must go on… i'm still hoping (what else could one do?) for an effective change for the better, so you, greece, can figuratively start breathing a little easier again! greetings, sabine.rocco di ciommo 16/07/2015 16:15
la foto è perfetta...dai, ce la farete !!!ciao
Vera M. Shulga 15/07/2015 14:33
unknown future(like in Ukraine..)
great photo to it
best wishes,vera
alexander h. schulz 14/07/2015 20:21
you captured the right photo for the right theme, i wish all the best for your wonderful country and your wonderful people!!!!hopefully greatings, alexander
Cameraqueen 12/07/2015 22:09
Dear Alexander, this is a meaningful and touching image in combination with your well chosen words. In my thoughts I am with you, the greek people, sold down the river by unconscionable politicians.Hoping for a better future,
gr. Sabine
sparkling light 12/07/2015 12:29
My dear friend Alexander,The photo is a wonderful match to your words, and I agree with you, believe me. In the darkest hours there is always a silver lining. And when doors close, others will open, and there will certainly be new ways the greek people will go. Don't worry.
On your side, Jost
SINA 12/07/2015 9:13
Eine Karstlandschaft scheinbar ohne Leben und Wachstumausdrucksstärker hättest Du es nicht zeigen können lieber Alexander
ich wünsche Dir und Deinen Landsleuten alles erdenklich Gute und ganz viel Glück und Sicherheit für Euren weiteren Weg
hab einen erholsamen Sonntag herzliche Grüße von Kristine
lolita cecilia 11/07/2015 12:24
IMPRESIONANTE imagen...!!Magnífica luz y un excelente B&W...
Gran definición...
Saludos
Lola