German newspaper publishes open letter to Greek Prime Minister

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

If you read this print, you’ve entered a country completely different from yours. You’re in Germany.

* Here, people work until they are 67. There is no longer a 14-month salary for civil servants.

* Here, nobody needs to pay a €1,000 bribe to get a hospital bed in time.

* And we don’t pay pensions for the General’s daughters who sadly can’t find husbands.

* In this country, the petrol stations have cash registers, the taxi drivers give receipts and farmers don’t swindle EU subsidies with millions of olive trees that don’t exist.

Germany also has high debts - but we can meet them.

* That’s because we get up reasonably early and work all day. Because in good times we always spare a thought for the bad times. Because we have good firms whose products are in demand around the world.

Dear Mr Prime Minister, today you are in the country that sends umpteen-thousand of tourists and money aplenty to Greece.

We want to be friends with the Greeks. That’s why since joining the euro, Germany has given your country €50bn.

For this reason, we are writing to you,

Yours,

Bild Editorial

PS In case you want to write back, we have enclosed a stamped addressed envelope. Of course, we want to help you to save...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/...ial-crisis.html

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Die Bild Zeitung.

[Texanadian 10]

I worked for Germans for nearly a decade. Primarily German customers too. They're hard workers who are thrifty with their spending. Had a do it right the first time attitude. It doesn't surprise me that Germany is at the top of the EU's economy.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Had a do it right the first time attitude.

Yep. I've got this hanging in my office...

[luckytxn 2,264]

The paper is going to be told it is discrimination and not fact based. The article is spot on

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The paper is going to be told it is discrimination and not fact based. The article is spot on

Nobody is telling that particular paper anything. It's a very popular tabloid style newspaper. It's the best selling newspaper in Europe (sixth largest circulation of any newspaper worldwide) followed by "The Sun" which could be considered it's English language sibling.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Nobody is telling that particular paper anything. It's a very popular tabloid style newspaper. It's the best selling newspaper in Europe (sixth largest circulation of any newspaper worldwide) followed by "The Sun" which could be considered it's English language sibling.

I am sure they are but only going by what I usually see of others opinion here and other boards. Germany has a huge stake in this as it was shown they are going to be paying for Greece's debt somewhat as they are the largest European Union country. Any bailout funds will come be largely from Germany.

[Danno 1,228]

Short of some military necessity... the EU's days are numbered.

[Ali G. 37]

Short of some military necessity... the EU's days are numbered.

Unlike America, which is booming. We must be living in a different America.

[jundp 191]

Die Bild Zeitung.

Short of some military necessity... the EU's days are numbered.

Um....

[Danno 1,228]

Unlike America, which is booming. We must be living in a different America.

What is the motivation to keep that union in tack if the more stable ones are slotted as cash cows for the lesser?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Short of some military necessity... the EU's days are numbered.

Based on your comprehensive analysis eh?

[Danno 1,228]

Based on your comprehensive analysis eh?

Actually, it was my knee-jerk analysis, but you get what you pay for.

[Ali G. 37]

What is the motivation to keep that union in tack if the more stable ones are slotted as cash cows for the lesser?

Happens in America. A hell of a lot of the 'get er done', gun toting, deer hunting states have diddly-squat to their name.

European Union is not the equivalent of the United State of America. Considering their members diverse backgrounds, naturally they will experience integration issues and growing pains. Heck, you guys have been a union for 200 plus years now, had an embarrassing and disgraceful civil war, and are still in disagreement on many issues. For example, Tea-Parties believe spending $1.1 trillion on the military annually is an investment. Whereas, the Blue state yank tends to want to invest the money on Americans in America; something the same repub deem a huge and utter waste.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Booyah

[luckytxn 2,264]

What is the motivation to keep that union in tack if the more stable ones are slotted as cash cows for the lesser?

The reasons that made sense to become a union are still there. Greece is not the only ones that are going to have to make hard decisions soon. Several other European countries are going to start having problems. The article that the OP put in can also be read by other governments too should note that they are on notice.

The U.S. can also watch what is happening and see our future if we are not careful.