BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?

Subject: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Paul Burke
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:34 PM

Is Germany's first peaceful attempt to dominate Europe heading for the bunker? Watch for economists declaring that economic stimulation should trump 'fiscal prudence'...

The big secret of economics: the experts knpw sod all about it. I know od all too, but they are paid millions for their apercus, and I'm not paid at all. And I'm just as accurate as they are.

So are you..

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:43 PM

Well, any nation that thinks it's capable of regional domination always attempts it, don't they? The Germans have the strongest economy in western Europe at present, so naturally, they have attempted it.

Here's my quick "solution" to the world's economic problems (which have been driven by debt). Cancel all existing national debts! And start over at zero, without countries (and their taxpayers) being hobbled by past debt.

Who would lose out if we did that? International bankers would. Everyone else would benefit.

Thank you very much for listening. ;-D I know it won't happen, but it was fun getting a chance to propose "the solution".

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: gnu
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:52 PM

Debt has been cancelled before... many times. It ain't pretty.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Bobert
Date: 18 May 12 - 08:44 PM

I agree with LH on this one... But I'd go further... Why so many currencies??? Time for one world currency... But it's gonna take a lot more than that... It's going to take the world to accept that we are all in this together, fir starters...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:40 PM

Yeah, but then the US would be the same as Canada and Canada would be the same as the UK and the UK would be the same as Bezerkistan and so on. Oh, wait. The USD and CND are pretty much at parity right now.

Forget I said anything.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:43 PM

If I had even a shred of trust in the people who would set in place that single world currency, I'd be all for it... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: gnu
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:50 PM

I really can't see how that could work. How could it be acheived in the first place? I have so many questions that it seems to me that such a discussion is far above my knowledge of international finance and banking.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Bobert
Date: 18 May 12 - 09:55 PM

Sure it could work and work well...

I mean, no currency manipulations that nations have done forever...

It will work, people...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 19 May 12 - 12:14 AM

..actually the end of the seventh king.....

GfS

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 19 May 12 - 05:05 AM

A lot of pension fund savings are part of the debt you would give away to those feckless governments who have borrowed money to buy votes and bribe voters.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:39 AM

The situation in Germany is very difficult to assess from the US, since at least the news media "don't really care." (Compare ca 1935-1938?)

The current financial difficulties in Europe appear to be centered in the "precarious position" of Greece, where although they've "welcomed" assistance, largely from Germany, that might be viewed as an "economic invasion" rather than a military one. Since the assistance has been mostly as "loans" it would appear that Germany (and German bankers?) now own most of Greece (all though one wonders why?) The situation doesn't look much different now than some time ago, when it was said:

The gravity of the situation which confronts the world today necessitates my appearance before a joint session of the Congress.
The foreign policy and the national security of this country are involved.

One aspect of the present situation, which I wish to present to you at this time for your consideration and decision, concerns Greece and Turkey.

The United States has received from the Greek government an urgent appeal for financial and economic assistance. Preliminary reports from the American economic mission now in Greece and reports from the American Ambassador in Greece corroborate the statement of the Greek government that assistance is imperative if Greece is to survive as a free nation. ...

Greece is not 'a rich country. Lack of sufficient resources has always forced the Greek people to work hard to make both ends meet. Since 1940 this industrious and peace-loving country has suffered invasion, four years of cruel enemy occupation and bitter internal strife. ...

As a result of these tragic conditions, a militant minority¹, exploiting human want and misery, was able to create political chaos, which, until now, has made economic recovery impossible. Greece is today without funds to finance the importation of those goods which are essential to bare subsistence, Under these circumstances the people of Greece cannot make progress in solving their problems of reconstruction. Greece is in desperate need of financial and economic assistance to enable it to resume purchases of food, clothing, fuel and seeds. These are indispensable for subsistence of its people and are obtainable only from abroad. Greece must have help to import the goods necessary to restore internal order and security so essential for economic and political recovery.

The Greek government has also asked for the assistance of experienced American administrators, economists and technicians² to insure that the financial and other aid given Greece shall be used effectively in creating a stable and self-sustaining economy and in improving its public administration.

THE TRUMAN DOCTRINE, MARCH 12, 1947
"Congressional Record, XCIII (March 12, 1947), pp. 1999¬2000.

¹ This time the militants are the bankers and politicians?

² They asked for a new invasion even then, just a different bunch of militants?

The speech goes on, but if you substitute "economic" for "military" it seems things never change.

(okay, it's a bit of a stretch, but I can't help noticing some similarities.)

John

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 19 May 12 - 09:57 AM

Right on the button Keith!!!!!

Bobert: "Time for one world currency... But it's gonna take a lot more than that... It's going to take the world to accept that we are all in this together, fir starters..."

Hey, hey hey!...and all this time you couldn't see what was being planned and set up by your true ideology...they had you fooled!!..as I and others have been trying to tell you.
Here's you plan...by one of those in one the deal for this plan, that you unwittingly support!!!...oh yes you do!! !!

Fooled ya' didn't they????

GfS

..or maybe not. Maybe that's what you want!

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 May 12 - 12:08 PM

I think that's a nasty title. germany today isn't like the malevolent nazi third reich.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Musket
Date: 19 May 12 - 01:59 PM

There is a world currency. Always has been.

No matter where I have travelled on business, and interestingly, no matter how exchange rates have been over the 25 years I was in business, the US Dollar was the babel fish of business.

Mind you, not saying it should be adopted for domestic use, but inter currency exchange carries on whilst the politicians argue and the bankers cream off the top.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 19 May 12 - 10:54 PM

I thought the thread title referred to the USA.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 May 12 - 08:18 PM

No - its all about Europe. The conservative and labour parties of great britain both have people who are in favour of the European Economic Community and others - called Euro sceptics, who are not so keen on the EEC.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 May 12 - 08:34 PM

The word "Reich" has been given a bad rap ever since the Nazis...perhaps even before that. It's an ordinary German word which simply means: kingdom, empire, or realm. It could also be taken to mean "commonwealth". When used as an adjective, "reich" means "rich".

The united realm in German would be der vereinigte Reich, for instance. How is this any different from calling Great Britain "the United Kingdom"? Reich is not a word that implies anything evil, but to call present day Germany the "Fourth Reich" in today's post-WWII political climate is to strongly suggest that present day Germany is like the Nazis...not a fair or useful suggestion, in my opinion.

Are they playing power politics? Sure. What great power does not? They all maneuver to seek financial and political gain.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 21 May 12 - 11:57 AM

The best model for a world currency is the Eurozone. How's that working for ya"?

Austerity puts money in the hands of the one percent, banks and corporations.
It's a form of reverse Robin Hood robbery.

Reich or "rich" has become a dirty world because of the rich who abuse their privilege.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 May 12 - 12:03 PM

Yeah, well...okay, I'll go along with that. ;-) But it's not a uniquely German problem, is it?

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Stu
Date: 21 May 12 - 12:37 PM

"It will work, people..."

It won't, for the same reason the euro isn't working. Each countries economy is unique and each operates according to a very individual set of parameters. For instance, Germany is doing well because it makes stuff and exports it, the Greek economy is totally different as they have very little manufacturing. What you end up with is a single power driving the economy and imposing their ideas on other countries. This is why the Greek people voted out the austerity-loving government; they are paying for the profligacy of their banks and rich folk and the Germans are making them do it.

The thing is, it will end up with one or a cabal of a few countries dictating global economic policy, and that is not only a recipe for disaster (given, for instance the fact the US has it's head in the sand over/is wilfully ignoring climate change etc, China is basically a huge workshop without safeguards for the workers/environment and so on), but also undemocratic. Whichever country is in charge is going to breed resentment and distrust, and at the moment there isn't a single country on the planet whose politicians are trustworthy anyway.

So it won't work, will never happen and would lead to some pretty ugly scenes. Truth is, unregulated capitalism is failing, draining the public purse as it accuses other political ideologies of doing, all the while managing to should the poor with the burden of austerity whilst the rich see taxes dropping. I've said for years, capitalism is incapable of meaningful self regulation and acting with social responsibility because the people who are most involved with it are greedy tossers and can't help themselves.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Amos
Date: 21 May 12 - 12:49 PM

The Greek catastrophe has demonstrated that a common currency will fail without a common economy, or some kind of fiscal structure; currency alone is not sufficiency to protect one or another participant from becoming a black hole. For that matter the US cataclysm of the last few years played out with a common currency sphere, the United States banking system, and the fact of common currency did nothing to mitigate the crash.

A

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 May 12 - 07:59 PM

Perhaps if we all bought a bottle of ouzo, every day for month. The Greeks economy would be all right. I bet if we organised ourselves = we could all buy something Greek.

I'm sure they must make something we could all stick in the supermarket trolley and help them out - bit of feta cheese for your sandwiches - stuff like that.

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 May 12 - 09:18 PM

I should think if we all drank a bottle of Ouzo every day for the next 6 months, the whole situation would begin to seem less worrisome... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: The Last Days of the Fourth Reich?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 May 12 - 10:03 PM

By the way, when Liechtenstein takes over Europe (which could happen any day now), you know what they'll call that imperial order?

The First Crumpet. Destined to last for 1,000 years! You WILL eat their pastries, and you WILL enjoy them. Or else.