[tomder55]

We don't aspire to be the strongest country in the world, but in one hundred years we are among the top twenty

You certainly don't mind the protective umbrella of the strongest country in the world . In the 19th century it was GB . Since then it's the US. Now you are trying to hide under China's skirts . You think you are immune because your island is South East of the sea lanes where commerce travels . But you are not . Being dependent on any super power brings quid pro quo with the deal. You may not like what they demand.

[paraclete]

Whatever, the point is made and accepted. You still posses great naval power and the ability to project it but times are changing

[talaniman]

You forgot to include the air and troop power we have while you are accepting the point. What will happen the next hundred years is a huge speculation at this point. More hopeful, wishful thinking than actual facts. Maybe China will help you achieve your goals. Have you asked them? Or maybe that's a century off too!

Be nice if you had a joint military exercise with them. Just saying.

[paraclete]

We had both had military exercises with them but it means nothing, We understand as well as you do how wide the Pacific is

[talaniman]

Hedging your bets huh? Not bad when you are dealing with two superpowers.

[paraclete]

One superpower Tal I don't rate China in the same way as the US

[paraclete]

But on who's terms. It seems the IMF who has the least to lose, is the desenting partner

Greece debt crisis: IMF attacks EU over bailout terms - BBC News


So how did the deal get done? We also know that the IMF are an organisation that insistes on austerity and more austerity this is why the greeks wanted them out of the deal. Grinding poverty is not an answer, it is protection of some golde plated arses in Berlin and Brussles. The Greeks have lost a lot 25% of their economy and who knows what else since public assets don't sell well in a fire sale and $B50 may be hard to find

[tomder55]

The Greeks have lost a lot 25% of their economy

They made their bed . They got a taste of what default is and they didn't like it . That's why the Greek government ,who were voted in because of their opposition to the EU terms ,are now willing to accept much harsher terms .

This scenario is coming to the US sooner than we realize if we don't put a reign on out of control spending, and entitlement unfunded liabilities .

[paraclete]

In a passionate speech just before the vote, he told parliament: "The Greek people are fully conscious and can understand the difference between those who fight in an unfair battle and those who just hand in their weapons."

Does this sound like someone who made their own bed, The greek ministers are resigning and I expect so will the Prime Minister once the vote is taken. The greeks were dragged kicking and screaming to the conference table and now they are being dragged kicking and screaming to vote on an agreement the people have already rejected.

As to making beds you have made your own bed too, the problems has been obvious for a long time. We have all been living on the magic pudding, Growth, and we should realise, in the long term you can only expect population growth anything else is transitory

[paraclete]

229 members of the Greek parliament approved the measures and the greeks are unhappy because the tax collector will get more if he can catch them. The measures also make changes to the way business is done. We all need to take a lesson away from greece, credit is only good if you get something lasting for it