'EU in mortal danger' - Elderly man shoots himself in head during anti-austerity protest

"A 77-year-old retired pharmacist fatally shot himself outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Wednesday. In a suicide note he said that he refused to “search garbage for food and become a burden for my child.”

Source (to view the article and video click on the source)

The recent suicide of a cash-strapped Greek pensioner is a sign of the dire situation Greece finds itself in. It can be solved only by extreme measures such as default and giving up the euro, believes financial advisor Patrick Young.

“The Greek government is bankrupt. It cannot afford to stay in the euro and pay its debts,” says Young, executive director of investment consultancy DV Advisors.

A 77-year-old retired pharmacist fatally shot himself outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Wednesday. In a suicide note he said that he refused to “search garbage for food and become a burden for my child.”

It is a ghastly situation that Greek people are now forced to kill themselves to avoid poverty, Young told RT. “Unfortunately, everybody quite simply within Greek politics and a huge number of the politicians within the European Union must stand accused of effectively leaving their citizens to starve to death.”

Nevertheless, Greek politicians are the highest-paid in the EU, stresses Young. Some of them make €15,000 per month “which is enough to pay for dozens of pensioners every month in new austerity Greece.”

The European Union is in mortal danger if does not get its act together, Young claims, saying that the EU needs to see an outbreak of government. “What we need now is leadership. Let’s not see any more marchers. Let’s do something that solves the problem instead of leading to more summits, more austerities.”

In Italy, a 78-year-old woman jumped out of her third-floor apartment on Tuesday after her monthly pension was cut from €800 to €600. Since the 25 per cent cut, the pensioner from Sicily had reportedly been struggling to make ends meet.
“Clearly she trusted the government with her pension money. And that frankly is an absolutely ridiculous thing these days because governments within the European Union are just not trustworthy,” Young said.

Source

The once-thriving Greek port city of Perama – just 14.48km away from the capital of Athens – could be on the verge of a “humanitarian crisis”, said global humanitarian aid organisation Doctors of the World on Friday, as thousands of residents struggle to afford basic human necessities such as food and healthcare.

This is just terrible/saddening, the EU situation is alot worse than what most people think.


The world needs to rise up against this terrible modern day slavery/economic/banking system that is destroying our planet and people, and severely punish the evil criminals that are controlling it.

Happened a couple days ago and already they are trying to minimize this issue as much as they can do by saying: "oh but he was not poor at all, he sold his pharmacy in 1994."

The man was a cancerpatient. The Greek government used to pay for 75% of the medicine and this man paid 25% of his medicine out of a paycheck that was ALLEGEDLY about 1200 dollars a month(not sure if this is correct but remember, official numbers will try to put the number up - it could be less - so that people will sympathize less with the actions of the now gone, old man)

After the austerity measures he ends up paying 100% of the medicine and he decides enough is enough.

reply to post by thinks

Things are terrible no doubt but its exactly why socialized anything doesnt work. These centrally planned models are unsustainable and the World is finding this out very quickly.

Dont wait for your government to go bankrupt, start by keeping as much of your income as you can. Stop paying into the system. Get self sufficient, get ready for a total economic collapse and support real change so we can put an end to this debt based monetary system.

The EU was a terrible idea and its implementation has brought us nothing but suffering here. No one has gained, except government. Only they have seen their way of life improve, and they had it too bloody good in the first place.

I want our old Europe back. When I go to France, I want to go to France. When I go to Denmark, I want to see Denmark. When I go to Spain, it's really Spain I'm there to see.

We're more divided than ever now but what we've really lost is our cultural identities. It didn't go with the currency, it went with the homogenization of European daily life. Not one thing is better now.

Let the EU die its natural death. It's on the doorstep now. Let it fall. Show it some mercy.

One world government? No thanks. This was an abysmal failure. Who really thinks it can be done on a larger scale and have it somehow turn out better?

Originally posted by gladtobehere
reply to post by thinks

 

Things are terrible no doubt but its exactly why socialized anything doesnt work. These centrally planned models are unsustainable and the World is finding this out very quickly.

That's bullcrap right there. The reason this stuff is going wrong is because of greed and politics and banks being too close together. Not because people should like your political party or direction. What the hell man?!

Do you have ANY idea how much corrupt politicians and government workers INSIDE GREECE(where this is happening now, remember your context) siphoned off taxes? No? K good, now you can continue to spread adds for your political affiliation.

reply to post by gladtobehere


Back when I came to Europe, Finland, the country I moved to, was very nicely socialist. Old people and children were taken care of. You got up to three years maternity leave with 80% of your pay for the first 9 months and then 60% thereafter. You could get a doctor or dentist whenever you needed them. Medications were available but not heavily prescribed. You had time off when you were sick so you could get well. Long work days were discouraged because a) other people need jobs too and b) you need time with family, friends, etc. Shops were closed on holidays so you could be with family and observe them with due solemnity. Public transit ran so smoothly you could set your clock by it and it was always available - and for a reasonable price. Our water and air were clean. We had long summer holidays. There was never a worry about being left unemployed, you always belonged to a union. They helped you out quickly and efficiently, with a really good feeling about it. All this stuff was paid for by your taxes and union fees. We had housecarls who took care of the apartment building you live in so no matter what happened, it was handled right away. Things worked. It was heaven for me having come from the cold, Capitalist USA.

Then came the greedy EU. Finland jumped to be the model student when they applied, this coinciding with the recession of 1990. It was horrible. But nothing like now. Now, this is no way to live. I would take the "limitations" (if you can possibly perceive it that way) of Socialism over all the BS of "prosperity" under the EU and their ... ways.

No idea who said it, but its true, "nations invariably get the government they deserve" so, think hard and long before you vote, or don't vote.

reply to post by gladtobehere


It has nothing to do with socialism and everything to do with greedy and corrupt politicians and administrators, political correctness, continental European egotism and the pursuit of hidden agendas which have little regard for the wishes and well being of ordinary, everyday Europeans.

Originally posted by Freeborn
reply to post by gladtobehere

 

It has nothing to do with socialism and everything to do with greedy and corrupt politicians and administrators, political correctness, continental European egotism and the pursuit of hidden agendas which have little regard for the wishes and well being of ordinary, everyday Europeans.

And without knowing it you pandered to the system you are describing as corrupt.

There is NO SUCH THING as EUROPEANS. As soon as people stop using the word as if it were some kind of country, the better off people in; Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain and those in the queue to go bankrupt, would be.

reply to post by pikestaff

......or don't vote.

In a system that completely disregards the apathetic and non-aligned exactly what good does not voting do?

reply to post by InfoKartel


I use the term 'European' as a description of the peoples who have been lumped together in the artificial creation of a European superstate.

In addition, whether you or I like it there is a geographical area and continent known as Europe, as such people from there are by defenition Europeans.

No need to be so pedantic, I'm not 'pandering' to anything merely trying to express my opinion in a clear way that hopefully people can understand.

Originally posted by InfoKartel


There is NO SUCH THING as EUROPEANS. As soon as people stop using the word as if it were some kind of country,

Er what?

I think you'll find it's a continent...

And I suppose there are no Africans either? Asians?

Uh huh....


Yeah fight the power...

reply to post by Freeborn


Mate you clearly don't understand the power of words. The system does, that's why you'll see it repeat the word Europe and European as much as possible. On as many TV stations as possible. So that one day, people will repeat it instead of using the name of a country. It's called "neuro-linguistic programming".

Repeat it after me: "There is no such thing as Europeans".

You can't even lump it together, the geographical entity is just that. A place. It does not refer to a people. If you want to refer to people in Greece, you call them Greeks. Netherlands? Dutch. Not Europeans. Spain? Spanish or Spaniards. Italy - Italians. Not Europeans.

Not trying to have a go at you by the way, just informing.

People that commit suicide usually have more than and on going issues. Im sure more than this lead up to it.


Although, I did see a guy shoot himself because he said he couldnt handle 4 more years of the Bush administration. I read it in his suicide note.

He did it the day after the election.


True story.

reply to post by blupblup


....

Er what?

I think you'll find it's a continent...

Yes, Europe is a continent. Europeans are not a continent. You can refer to people living in Europe as Europeans, but only if you are ignorant to where they are from and "how were people from that country called again?"

And I suppose there are no Africans either? Asians?

How many cultures are there in Africa or Asia? And would it be okay to just lump them all together even if they are mortal enemies? Ow wait, that already happened when the French and British drew borders on the continental map! What about Asia? How many DIFFERENT people and cultures live in Asia? Would it be okay to call them all "Asian"? I'm certain you'd find most would be offended, because you don't know where they are from and "what were people from that country called again?".

I mean, you might as well call them Earthlings if you're going with Europeans. It would make MORE sense.

Originally posted by InfoKartel
reply to post by Freeborn

Mate you clearly don't understand the power of words.

Err....I think I do....I just see this different to you.

Repeat it after me: "There is no such thing as Europeans".

Stop being stupid....there were Europeans long before there was the EU, just as there are Asians and South Americans etc.

You can't even lump it together, the geographical entity is just that. A place. It does not refer to a people

Yes it does.
However, that doesn't give any legitimacy or credibility to the EU and it's edicts etc.

. If you want to refer to people in Greece, you call them Greeks. Netherlands? Dutch. Not Europeans. Spain? Spanish or Spaniards. Italy - Italians. Not Europeans.

And if I want to refer to people from all of them nations together I, and everyone else, call them Europeans same as if I wanted to refer to people from say China, Vietnam, Korea together I would call them Asians.
Pretty simple really isn't it.

Not trying to have a go at you by the way,

I know,

just informing

No you're not, you are giving an opinion - and there's nothing wrong with that - but quite a bit different.

Originally posted by InfoKartel

Yes, Europe is a continent. Europeans are not a continent. You can refer to people living in Europe as Europeans, but only if you are ignorant to where they are from and "how were people from that country called again?"

Well You're European if you live in Europe... it's quite simple really.

Earthling
Human
European
British
English

That's me




I much prefer Human than any other nationalistic label

BUT having said that.

People living in Europe or Asia or Africa..... are..... Europeans, Asians & Aficans.

I mean obviously they're French and Chinese and Senegalese.... but when talking more broadly, which people do sometimes, they can be European, Asian or African.

I don't see it as disrespectful.

No more so than calling them English or French... Are they not human before ANY other label?

How many cultures are there in Africa or Asia? And would it be okay to just lump them all together even if they are mortal enemies?

Lots and lots of cultures.

I mean, you might as well call them Earthlings if you're going with Europeans. It would make MORE sense.

I'm down with that,.. no probs at all.

That old man's plight sounds similar to what I heard from grandparents regarding the Great Depression. They told me people were hurling themselves out of windows, in front of trains, and blowing their brains out when the prospect of poverty set in. I cringe hearing about stories like this. If it can happen there it can happen were I live. My country is sitting on a fiscal time bomb as well.

I am all for austerity measures to stave off economic collapse, but I also believe the politicians and bureaucrats should take a cut in their wages, pension plans, and medical benefits. The cuts ought to be across the board! No one should have to experience hardship, but at the same it had better be equitable. Especially when it is government initiating the hardship on their citizens.

We must remember it was the Greek government that was doling out those hefty checks for all those years without a fear in the world. Then all of sudden the people get accustomed to the lifestyle afforded by government and the bottom falls out. Whatever happened to thrift and frugality? Governments should have always held that core principle. Yet, when prosperity comes in it is spend now pay later. Greece ought to be a wake-up call to all governments who are running astronomical deficits. Very sad story, and I feel bad for the old man's family.

reply to post by InfoKartel


stupid north-americans!

Originally posted by CosmicEgg
The EU was a terrible idea and its implementation has brought us nothing but suffering here. No one has gained, except government. Only they have seen their way of life improve, and they had it too bloody good in the first place.

I want our old Europe back. When I go to France, I want to go to France. When I go to Denmark, I want to see Denmark. When I go to Spain, it's really Spain I'm there to see.

We're more divided than ever now but what we've really lost is our cultural identities. It didn't go with the currency, it went with the homogenization of European daily life. Not one thing is better now.

Let the EU die its natural death. It's on the doorstep now. Let it fall. Show it some mercy.

One world government? No thanks. This was an abysmal failure. Who really thinks it can be done on a larger scale and have it somehow turn out better?

And i want Yugoslavia back and why i say that? because lets be honest every Balkan country now is failing apart.

I hope the Croatians are happy with there higher Unemployment rate, i doubt there beloved hitler would come back and help them and not to mention.

The Croatians forced and drove ut all the serbs out of Croatia by force, the serbs there lived in Croatia since the middle ages


I guess the Croatians have forgotten history rather then just loving the third Reich.
And Bosnia?


Bosnia now is a safe haven for terrorists and a paradise for the drugs coming out of afghanistan.
Well i could go on with the list.


When i lived in Yugoslavia we never had such problems, i am not surprised by a poll done in Germany showing how 1,000 people still preferred Yugoslavia over then what the Balkans is of today.


Sounds to me the elites plan and idea of a Global Government is falling apart