Government deficits are immoral and tyrannical

[Mich the Tester]

When a government runs a deficit it enslaves its people to the banks and the IMF. A government should always run a surplus during periods of growth so as to keep reserves for periods of low growth or recession or national crisis.

The people of Greece are a case in point; they are no longer citizens of a democracy. They are the minions of a bank. They have been willfully exposed to the whims of kleptomaniacs who will now speculate with their livelihoods. They have been sold as slaves by their elected representatives.

Let this be a warning to Britain. I would suggest a new constitution that ensures that government may only spend the money it has already received in taxes, may not introduce retrospective tax legislation or ‘clarification’, may not base spending on ‘projected growth’, and any minister whose spending exceeds the amount of tax brought in in the previous year minus 5% to keep as reserve must be sacked and banned from holding office.

The only excuse for deficit, in my mind, is to finance a defensive war against an invading force. NO other excuse must be tolerated.

[cojak]

An interesting article reflecting your thoughts about deficits and the US Republican line Mich.

Not that I'm saying you're wrong, mind...

But I think that this is one of the main reasons Greece won't be able to dig it's way out of the mess it's in. The real reason behind Greek economic problems.

It may be a democracy, but only just...

[Mich the Tester]

An interesting article reflecting your thoughts about deficits and the US Republican line Mich.

Not that I'm saying you're wrong, mind...

I often agree with US republican words on fiscal policy, but their actions when in power are another matter altogether. I think it was PJ O'Rourke who said the democrats will promise you that the government can make you happy, healthy and make your grass grown greener, then tax you for not achieving the results. The republicans will tell you that government doesn't work, then get into power and prove it.

[Scary]

Britain became a world power by going into debt (for better or for worse).

[sasguru]

Britain became a world power by going into debt (for better or for worse).

And now we've got the biggest debt ever merely to maintain our status as a 2nd rate European country.

[Mich the Tester]

Britain became a world power by going into debt (for better or for worse).

Things have changed.

[Platypus]

The people of Greece are a case in point; they are no longer citizens of a democracy. They are the minions of a bank. They have been willfully exposed to the whims of kleptomaniacs who will now speculate with their livelihoods. They have been sold as slaves by their elected representatives

Piffle, as you know well. It's factors such as:

• Tax evasion in Greece is rife.
• Many government workers never show up for work
• Pension entitlement at 53 (IIRC)

that have enslaved the Greeks. i.e. they are now victims of their own greed.

No sympathy here.

[sasguru]

Piffle, as you know well. It's factors such as:

• Tax evasion in Greece is rife.
• Many government workers never show up for work
• Pension entitlement at 53 (IIRC)

that have enslaved the Greeks. i.e. they are now victims of their own greed.

No sympathy here.

Merely an extreme version of us, profligacy-wise.
As a country we're not much better and heading the same way.

[Jeebo72]

Piffle, as you know well. It's factors such as:

• Tax evasion in Greece is rife.
• Many government workers never show up for work
• Pension entitlement at 53 (IIRC)

that have enslaved the Greeks. i.e. they are now victims of their own greed.

No sympathy here.

Yip, and by all the measures that were available at the time, they should have never been allowed into the EU... however the EU (well Germany and France) wanted a mass land grab. It will haunt them.