Ken Gargett Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Some years ago a small rural town in Italy twinned with a similar town in Greece. The mayor of the Greek town visited the Italian town. When he saw the palatial mansion belonging to the Italian mayor he wondered how he could afford such a house. The Italian said: ''You see that bridge over there? The EU gave us a grant to build a two-lane bridge but by building a single-lane bridge with traffic lights at either end, this house could be built.'' The following year the Italian visited the Greek town. He was simply amazed at the Greek mayor's house: gold taps, marble floors, it was marvellous. When he asked, how this could be afforded the Greek said: ''You see that bridge over there?'' The Italian replied: ''No.''
Kapsimalis Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 The sad truth is that the Greeks take a euro loan, build the bridge and buy the great house. But don't pay the loan after and wonder why they are finally getting taxed lol. Good one ken. I'm Greek by the way and I must say that back home they are pretty pathetic for the most.
Tashaz Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 LMAO. Sad but to true unfortunately and this will continue in the next few years, worldwide.
Montaigut Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 First heard this story in relation to a railroad project in Africa. It turns out the contractor/politicians worked with enough supply to build 1 km of track. They moved the 1 km track at different intervals along the projected route and invited the donor organization to inspect the project for progress payments. The money was all disbursed... see the nice railroad? Urban legend or not, it certainly sounds like something not too far fetched
winelover Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Very good Ken although I echo the sentiments given above. The question is who thinks the Euro is here to stay ad infinitum and who thinks it is a project doomed to fail. I am in the latter camp and lament the breakdown of democracy whereby technocrats replace politicians. Mind you whilst nobody is sad to see the back of Berlesconi, at least he had to win the popular vote.
tdlfoto Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Don't forget the part where the World Bank/IMF syndicate lends them $ for the new bridge on the condition their friends in the private sector build said bridge while the population pays back the loan, at interest, through an array of Structual Adjustment Policies (SAP) determined by same syndicate, which are exclusively for the benifit of those same private interests. Then the population senses the scam, refuses or simply cannot pay and starts to riot. The sheep watch mainstream media and join in blaming the vicitims, all the while more natural resources, technologocial resources, and intelectual property are appropriated away from the commons, and into private hands. Fascism is capitalism in decay.
Fuzz Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Any chance we can do a group buy of Greece and turn it into a cigar friendly wonderland?
mazolaman Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Sad to see the disintergration of the worlds' oldest democracy. Grabbing hands, grab all they can. They aren't the only country in that position.
CanuckSARTech Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 Any chance we can do a group buy of Greece and turn it into a cigar friendly wonderland? LOL. x 2.
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