We all know Greece is fucked. Well and truly fucked. After years of ignoring serious flaws in its financial, political and social set-ups, it is now so clear how it has been poorly governed. The price is having to be paid by ordinary people (isn't that always the way). Unfortunately, though, the actions of ordinary people are doing little to stop problems continuing, and in fact they are getting worse. Civil unrest and nervousness by world markets about whether it will ever be able to repay money means crippling deals to 'assist'.
The UK will this year borrow more money than Greece. That's right - more money than Greece! This country, though, is not quite fucked . . . . yet. Despite Labour's diabolical handling of the economy and complete absence of sensible monetary policy during its reign, it still tries to blame the UK's woes on world issues, the credit crunch and the banks. Alas, whilst true that these things played a part, they are not the only/major issue because the truth is that Labour had used up all spare money so that the past prosperity was parked in a file called 'Folklore and Nostagia'. Having dispensed with all the leeway and positives, the UK was exposed massively to the world's economic issues. So, the coalition government was always on a loser.
The coalition is very far from perfect, and of course some of the spending cuts have been controversial - as have some of the plans to donate money to some charities and/or countries that do not need or even deserve money. Nevertheless, it is true to say that in financial terms, the government is trying to address the mess it inherited. The fact that the markets believe the government is properly dealing with matters is demonstrated by the UK not having to suffer in the ways that Greeks are suffering. Our ability to tackle debt, and the seriousness with which matters are being attended to mean that stability is maintained. The country does need stability, and times are hard.
So, what's the worst thing we can do? The single answer is "shoot ourselves in the foot". What are large numbers of people now doing? Shooting themselves, and the rest of us, in the foot! Civil unrest and strikes are the worst thing possible to demonstrate stability. Those striking are not happy, and spread their misery to the rest of the population. I am quite sure that the parents whose kids are not in school are off work and losing money unnecessarily. Their employers are also losing money. The government loses money in taxes. Less money to spend means the government is forced to tax at a higher level, and/or cut spending and the cycle starts! The world will look at the UK and start to doubt it has a grip on its own affairs, and suddenly our interest rates are on the up at national level - as are then all interest rates for all of us with loans, mortgages, etc.
Higher interest rates, more disruption, more defaulting, more strikes, more companies going bust, . . . . . sooner or later, it'll be better to be on a Greek island! So, whether the union bosses have any real basis for stirring things or not, and whether there is any legitimacy to some of the claims by those now striking, there's really no sympathy from TMWSC to those putting their personal situations ahead of everything, when the actions being taken will quite clearly be counter-productive - and will cost each and every person who pays taxes to the government even more. Even those on benefits will find that any future rises are at a lower level, and/or the qualification criteria are more stringent. So, every striker is costing me money, and risking the UK's standing. What's worse is that all claim to be hard-working and dedicated people who have been put in a difficult position by an uncaring government. Actually, it was the Labour Government which started it all (and which was probably supported by more of the unions than not) and whilst there will of course be very many hard working people frustrated and in a dilemma, there are many thousands of lazy fuckers who hide in the rabble, just as they hide in their jobs pretending to try hard, care or be efficient in their 'work'. The sloth that doesn't answer the phone, the sniffle that means a week off 'sick' (paid of course) and all manner of other examples of shit behaviour that I could mention mean that collectively, this country's workforce is far from entrepreneurial let alone accountable.
These days, it's nigh on impossible to sack a useless fucker. 90% of those striking are no doubt conscientious workers who want to do a good job for a fair wage. I am sorry that their circumstances mean they've decided striking is necessary, even though a flawed approach. It's the other 10% I am annoyed with. 5% are useless 'dead wood' carried by the good 90%, and need a kick or disciplinary action taken against them to buck up not fuck up. The other 5% should be sacked. The money wasted on the one-in-ten is enough to motivate the rest, reward effort and avoid cuts. But of course we either don't know who is in the 10%, or if we do, we cannot do anything about it. Why? A mixture of employment law, human rights shit, limp management, and finally . . . . because everyone would close ranks and go on strike!
What a fuck up.
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