Tag: european union

Lessons from Greece: Can Third World nations really afford ‘democratic’ governments?

July 15, 2015 benign0 7 Comments

You can almost hear Robin Leach snootily addressing his audience in the popular 1980s TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous when you read this: See that demoractic government? You can’t afford it. By hook and, literally, by crook a while back, Greece joined the European Union and replaced the drachma with the euro…

Development, Economy, Government, Politics

Crisis in Greece: Would you lend money to a person who can’t pay?

July 13, 2015 benign0 32 Comments

Lots of debate around who is the victim and who is the bad guy in Europe nowadays thanks to the financial crisis gripping Greece and, as a consequence, the rest of the European Union. It seems to point to the underlying fundamental difference between the way creditors and debtors think which is not too different…

Development, Economy, Government

We must learn from Greece and stop relying on the government to save us

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015 Ilda 23 Comments

A friend of mine who just came back from a three-week holiday in Greece confirmed what we have been reading in the news about how a lot of the banks in the country have closed and there was a long queue for people who wanted to get cash from the few automated teller machines that…

Development, Economy

The Greek financial crisis is really a simple issue

July 7, 2015 benign0 62 Comments

The financial crisis gripping Greece is really not that complicated. Greece opted to join the Eurozone and replace its local currency, the drachma, with the euro in 2001. Its government then started tapping the Eurozone financial market taking out euro-denominated loans as part of its normal course of doing business. However, underneath all that, Greece’s…

Development, Economy

Philippines and Papua New Guinea fish exports may be banned in Europe

June 11, 2014 benign0 1 Comment

Illegal fishing practices in the Philippines and Papua New Guinea may cost the economies of these two impoverished countries dearly. The European Union is reportedly threatening to ban fish imports from the two countries unless they curb illegal fishing practices. The warning, which was welcomed by environmental groups, puts the two countries on the EU’s…

Crime, Economy, Environment, Money Talks, Religion

Substandard bunkhouses reportedly built for Haiyan victims: Where did the rest of the money go?

January 7, 2014December 22, 2021 benign0 148 Comments

Philippine government thievery seems to remain alive and kicking, this time stealing victims of super-typhoon Haiyan (a.k.a. Yolanda) blind! Reports are emerging of widespread delivery and building of substandard facilities to house the victims all over the devastated region. Safety and sanitation concerns have reportedly been raised by field officers of the Camp Coordination and…

Civics, Crime, Government, Politics

Lack of thinking and arrogant attitudes are the Philippines’ undoing

April 29, 2013October 28, 2015 Ilda 150 Comments

In the Philippines, there are many people who claim to have a monopoly on great ideas. They claim to know what is good for you and everyone else. Some of them get very impatient about bringing their ideas into “action”. These people also think that their ideas are superior to other people’s ideas. They quickly…

Culture, Government, Politics, Society