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Week 25 of 2012 what happened? #austerity #hypocrisy #politics #greece #Germany #moodys #JimmyCarr
Whale los cabos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Monday 18th June – It’s official Greece must be austere…or what exactly? Well no money I suppose and the indignation of being booted out of the Eurozone. That’s what top officials said as they made their way to the delightful Mexican holiday resort at Los Cabos on the Baja California peninsula.
Tuesday 19th June – As the economic situation deteriorates in Greece we see a sad reminder of the effects of austerity.
Wednesday 20th June – Poor old Jimmy Carr has been found out for tax avoidance. Although he has legally done nothing wrong, as they said in “Yes Minister”, there is a moral issue. It’s fair to say that normal folk are getting seriously annoyed about how the rich and super rich are avoiding taxes, whilst the ordinary taxpayer (easy target) is supporting the country. Unfair and unjust are words that spring to mind.
Thursday 21st June – Moodys are at it again. In hindsight Moodys are correct….banks are essentially in a mess, sovereign states are broke. Not much point in telling us what we knew 3 years ago, so why not just put a sock in it Moodys. This is irresponsible behavior that is actually making things worse by spreading panic.Perhaps the likes of the FSA should take a look?
Tax (Photo credit: 401K 2012)
Friday 22nd June – Tonight for one night only, Greece have an opportunity to overthrow Germany. If the Greek PM is shrewd he could even solve the debt crisis!
And finally after meeting at Los Cabos and Rome this week, Euro ministers will be looking forward to lunch in Brussels next Thursday and Friday. What a load of nonsense and waste of taxpayers money, jetting ministers, secretaries and security all over the world. Ever heard of videoconferencing? Time for a taxpayer revolt. Please RT if you agree.
Related articles
- Greece v Germany, the bailout game (bbc.co.uk)
- Merkel must bend a little or risk a total collapse (theglobeandmail.com)
- Cartoon: Greece v Germany, the Bailout Game (englishblog.com)
- Debt crisis: Spanish borrowing hits unaffordable 7pc level (independent.ie)
Another jolly up? #Rome #summit #taxpayersmoney #farce
Countries using the Euro de jure Countries and territories using the Euro de facto Countries in the EU not using the Euro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Having had a nice sunny break in Los Cabos, it’s off to Rome for a spot of lunch before the weekend. What about some tasty foccacia, a nice antipasto, followed by Osso Bucco all washed down with a nice bottle of Chianti.
Make sure to leave some space for gelato, after the summit?
And so the farce goes on, world leaders and their entourage, frantically jetting around the world, boosting their air miles accounts and who’s footing the bill?
You guessed it, the taxpayer again, unless you were shrewd enough to be involved with K2 in Jersey of course.
G20 leaders end their summit in Mexico #whatawasteoftaxpayermoney
G20 2012 heads of government – Caricatures (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)
G20 leaders ended their summit in Mexico without a detailed plan for
dealing with Spanish and Italian borrowing costs or creating a
eurozone-wide deposit insurance scheme, the WSJ reports. ‘Euro Area
members of the G20 will take all necessary policy measures to safeguard
the integrity and stability of the area,’ the G20 declared. Specific
proposals for a European banking union are not likely before September.
Greece must be austere or face the consequences…bing bong…last call for Los Cabos #austerity #hypocrisy http://wp.me/ p2axt5-ij
los_cabos_03 (Photo credit: memoflores)
How many world leaders, security, ministers, advisers and staff are staying in Baja?
It’s a bit of a mickey take when we hear that Greek civil servants aren’t being paid, Spain is on the edge of a precipice and the Euro is on the verge of collapse. Never mind it will soon be time to take a summer recess!
Related articles
- You Guess (slog.thestranger.com)
Greece must be austere or face the consequences…bing bong…last call for Los Cabos #austerity #hypocrisy
Cabo San Lucas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
You’ve been warned, now bugger off, I’m late for my flight to Baja California….
Common sense, don’t be a world leader without it!!!
Related articles
- Geithner Does Los Cabos, Mexico (economicpolicyjournal.com)
- G-20 Summit Kicks Off In Los Cabos, Mexico (eurasiareview.com)
G20 summit #loscabos #austerity #nice
English: Los Cabos Arc Español: Arco de Los Cabos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So while the rest of the world bumbles on, world leaders gather in the rather fashionable venue of Los Cabos. Anyone heard of videoconferencing?
Enough said.
Common sense don’t travel without it.
Related articles
- G20 summit: politicians solve eurozone debt crisis in luxury (telegraph.co.uk)
- PM heads to Mexico for crucial G20 talks (news.smh.com.au)
May 2012, week number 22….what happened…#London2012 #olympics #F1 #Banks #Greece #extortion
Monday 28th May – We started the week off with the Olympic torch arriving in Gwent. Tens of thousands lined the street, showing their support for the Games, probably because they couldn’t get or afford a ticket?
Tuesday 29th May – A happy day for Bernie Ecclestone as he plans for a forthcoming IPO in Singapore, although this may be delayed due to market conditions. F1, a classic example of tax hypocrisy, courtesy of HMRC.
Wednesday 30th May – In further acts of gross hypocrisy it’s revealed that IMF chief, Christine Lagarde, doesn’t pay any income tax on her salary?? She said that her comments regarding Greece were misunderstood but she didn’t go as far as making an apology. Good thing she’s not appearing on the Greek TV equivalent of “I’m a Celelebrity, get me out of here.”
Thursday 31st May – In more shock news it’s revealed that British banks aren’t lending to small firms. How long did it take to work that out? Fortunately some of the banks are building up cash reserves (taxpayers money), to prepare for the forthcoming financial Armageddon. A comforting thought.
Friday 1st June – In even more shock news, London 2012 Olympic food and drink pricing was revealed this week. Extortion is a word that immediately comes to mind. After failing to supply Londoners with event tickets and revealing that the transport system will be tested to the extreme, you can be assured that if you make it to an event, you can get a pint of beer for £7. Why not treat yourself to fish and chips for £8 while you’re there. Cost of a day out for 2 adults and 2 kids…..probably not much change from £250 (including your tickets) and I think I’m being generous. Looks like I’ll be booking that all inclusive week in Greece this summer?
March 25 – Greece Independence Day (Photo credit: Aster-oid)
Have a great Jubilee week!
Related articles
- Malfunction snuffs out Olympic Torch for the first time (itv.com)
- Rush of Olympic torches for sale on ebay after one ‘fetches £150,000′ (telegraph.co.uk)
- British pubs benefiting from Olympic Torch Relay (premierlinedirect.co.uk)
Bit early to book your all inclusive summer hols to Greece? #greece #holiday #tourism
The island of Santorini in Greece is a popular tourist destination. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Here’s an odd one.
Evidently British tourists are frantically booking discounted holidays to Greece. Whilst this is great news for the Greek economy, it also appears that many companies in Greece are preparing themselves for a summer of rioting and disturbances.
It is said that Dixons, which owns Greek loss making chain Kotsovolos has been ordering security shutters to protect it’s stock. After all, which genuine rioter in their right mind, wouldn’t want to nab a 60 inch telly or a couple of iPads for nothing?
So where does this leave the British tourist? Well, truthfully it’s not likely to impact them as long as they’re not staying in Athens. Surely greek islanders will be open for tourism, with welcoming arms all summer, as long as you’re not German.
Nevertheless, it’s food for thought.
Related articles
- Greece crisis: British holidaymakers snap up all-inclusive deals as tour operators slash prices (dailymail.co.uk)
- Last Greek Industry Takes A Hit (blogs.the-american-interest.com)
- British bookings to Greece double amid euro economic crisis (thisislondon.co.uk)
Is your calculator broken? #inflation #CPI
Inflation & Gold (Photo credit: Paolo Camera)
Inflation falls to 26-month low – UK, Local & National – Belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
According to the latest CPI figure, inflation has fallen to 3% in April it’s lowest level since 2010. Apparently lower air fares are one constituent of this fall. Something to do with the timing of Easter?
Not much solace if you’re unemployed and can’t afford to jet off on holiday. In any case I can tell you that as in most years, air fares are hiked through the roof during Easter and the school holidays. No matter what time of the year Easter falls, the airline companies have an unerring ability to consult their calendars and ramp up air fares accordingly!
Of course the taxman benefits too.
Related articles
- UK News: Inflation set to hit 20-month low (walesonline.co.uk)
Week 19 of 2012, what happened?
Bank of England, Threadneedle Street, London, England. English: The Bank of England in Threadneedle Street, London. Deutsch: Sitz der Bank von England in der Londoner Threadneedle Street. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Monday 7th May, a bank holiday in the UK. How many people know what a bank holiday actually means? The 8% of unemployed in the UK don’t really care and everyone else is just grateful to get a day off work.
Tuesday 8th May The CIA foils al Qaeda underwear bomber. What a sad world we live in, where people are prepared to detonate their private parts in the name of…..well, I don’t know exactly?
Wednesday 9th May, the long awaited result of the Greek elections. What a complete waste of time and money that has proved to be!
Thursday 10th May, the Olympic Torch is lit in Ancient Olympia, sort of ironic really.
Friday 11th May, an unfortunate error otherwise known as ‘egregious‘, resulted in a $2bn loss for JP Morgan Chase & Co. It turns out that the company’s Chief Investment Officer got it all wrong. Oh well, it’s only $2bn. Common sense, don’t hedge your positions without it.
Related articles
- Does the UK have too many bank holidays? (itv.com)
- Olympic torch begins journey from ancient Olympia to London (guardian.co.uk)
- Mervyn King admits failure over banking crisis (itv.com)
- Sir George Blunden: Banker who helped avert financial crises (independent.co.uk)
