- There was another suicide in Athens yesterday around lunchtime. A man leapt to his death from the roof of his home. It was reported that he had tremendous financial problems and was so filled with despair that he decided it would be better to end his life. Just like the previous government, the newly formed government continues to lead the country and Greek society into a humanitarian catastrophe. Tragically, another victim has been sacrificed to the regime.
There are a multitude of problems facing Greek society -- tremendous suffering, suicides, hopelessness and homelessness, homes without water and electricity. Unemployment is rising daily, plunging more people into despair. The political parties, movements, and initiatives need one single priority, and that is to focus on solutions to relieve the suffering of the Greek people. The deepest type of political intervention is needed. History provides hundreds of examples of People's movements being justified because of the lack of political intervention to help the People that the government is "elected' to represent and serve.
On Monday, Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Syriza, spoke at an economic forum organized by The Economist in Greece. He said that the current government's plan for Greece is leading the country nowhere. It has been proven in multiple ways that it cannot succeed. This plan has led the people of Greece into a humanitarian catastrophe. The plan needs to be abolished in favor of a whole new roadmap for Greece which must address the current humanitarian crisis in Greece. The Troika's plan for Greece leaves Greeks living with the reality of the current humanitarian catastrophe, where there is no end in sight.
- Greece's government announced on Monday it is stepping up its extensive privatization program.
According to Financial News Online:
Greece is raising its state asset sales target for the year to $5.5 billion EUR, up from an initial target of between $2 billion EUR and $4 billion EUR that they said they were aiming for just a few weeks ago.
Under the revised plan, Greece will immediately seek a buyer for its 34% stake in Hellenic Postbank, which it had originally slated for 2013. It will also move sometime this year to sell another 34% stake, in the gambling monopoly OPAP SA, instead of in 2012.
The government said it will move forward with sales of its holding in Piraeus Port Authority SA, the Thessaloniki Port Authority SA, and the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Company. The government owns a 74% stake in each of those companies.
Greek Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou said in a statement, "The Cabinet decided to immediately proceed with the sale of stakes in OTE, the Postbank, the Athens and Thessaloniki ports, and the Thessaloniki water company in order to frontload its ambitious privatization program."
The government announced the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund that will act as a holding company for the state's assets and real estate holdings, and reaffirmed its commitment to meet its 2011 deficit target of 7.5% of GDP.
The Greek cabinet is also reportedly considering further cuts in pay for state workers and more layoffs, in an effort to increase 2011 budget cuts to over $6 billion Euros.
There is a right-wing Fascist government in Greece. No more, no less.
- How are the protests going?
The protests are NOT growing. The people have been misled by the media and are in a holding pattern. It's summer, and temperatures are soaring. It's not the best time for activism.
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