Greek general strike shuts down country
16.03.06 12.20pm

ATHENS - Greek private and public sector unions launched a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in protest against government economic reforms, shutting down most of the country and crippling transport.

Thousands of workers took to the streets as unions staged large rallies in several cities and accused the government, half-way through its four-year term, of penalising workers unfairly with a series of unpopular reforms.

The reforms aim to liberalise labour markets and cut Greece's budget deficit in an effort to ward off European Union sanctions.

"We can no longer endure the results of this neoliberal economic policy that constantly degrades the workers," private sector umbrella union president Christos Polyzogopoulos told a central Athens rally.

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Students march in Paris as the unrest spreads
By Colin Randall in Paris
(Filed: 15/03/2006)

Thousands of students marched through Paris and blockaded universities across France yesterday as their revolt against the government over a controversial new youth employment law intensified.

Dominique de Villepin, the prime minister, has staked his reputation, and possibly his job, on a measure that aims to cut rampant youth unemployment with two-year contracts that enable employers to sidestep rigid French labour laws and fire them without reason.

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Originally posted by 500lbguerilla
Thousands of students marched through Paris and blockaded universities across France yesterday as their revolt against the government over a controversial new youth employment law intensified.


Is it my imagination or is there a major strike in France on a daily basis?

"Democracy?!? It's all Greek to ME! I'm just tired of working for slave wages..."--Some Sparta Cuss who finally crossed swords with his bosses

Originally posted by LionelHutz
Is it my imagination or is there a major strike in France on a daily basis?
No, I don't think it's your imagination...

"This is what democracy looks like"????

Why does it not surprise me that you'd view it in such a manner? Shutting down a country so you and your socialist brethren can demand, err...scratch that..."FORCE" your employers to pay you more money isn't called democracy; it's called extortion. Apparently their crime here was looking to reduce the deficit while warding off EU sanctions. I mean, can you believe the nerve of those levelheaded Greek officials??? :rolleyes:

Seriously, dude, WTF is wrong with you?

Believe it or not, Prae, it is well within the rights of people to choose how wealth should be distributed. Oh, I forgot, it's only fine for our Congressmen and upper management to give themselves pay raises, and shaft their workers whenever possible.

What are you talking about???

We're not discussing our government; we're talking about theirs, but with that aside, you've managed to completely miss the point anyway. Wealth gets distributed according one's ability to accumulate it - not by socially blackmailing the government into "taking care of the collective". That's pinko commie rationale, and those caught contributing (read sabotage) should be severely punished, or better yet, kicked out of the freaking country. On one hand, you have someone's ability to make money (via intelligence, perseverance, etc.), and on the other, you the societal factors in which precipitate the country's ability to create collective wealth. Such factors include a combination of materials, land, and technology in conjunction with labor to capture said profit. If you're in a capitalist country, then making money is hardly an issue (barring retardation, laziness, or general stupidity, of course). Wealth should always be distributed according to someone's ability; not need. Wanna earn more money for driving a bus around??? Then find another job, of STFU. The long and short of it is you can be replaced. Easily. Deal with your insignificance.

And you are feeding us some generic mercantilist garbage, as opposed to pinko commie garbage. And it isn't blackmail, it is ensuring that the will of the people is kept.

those caught contributing (read sabotage) should be severely punished, or better yet, kicked out of the freaking country.

Amusing. After you kick everyone out, you can clean your own damn streets. You might think that paying people as little as you can get away with makes for more wealth, but all it really does is make for more riots. Hell, you should be all about it, because more dollars going to the poor means more dollars circulating, as opposed to sitting in bank accounts accruing interest. That is what really makes for more wealth.

Why does it not surprise me that you'd view it in such a manner? Shutting down a country so you and your socialist brethren can demand, err...scratch that..."FORCE" your employers to pay you more money isn't called democracy; it's called extortion. Bullshit. If you hadn't noticed people have a choice over whether or not they do work. If they didn't I'd be called slavery...

Exactly. Prae is acting like he deserves to have people serve him, like he was some sort of king. Natural economic selection only goes so far, Prae, as far as you don't piss people off by being exceptionally greedy. If you do, then you can expect to have it thrown back in your face. Liberal economic policy isn't aimed at giving people free rides, but to smooth over conflicts and ensure the greatest productivity and benefits for all concerned.

As oppossed to neo-liberal economic policy which is meant to exploit workers to the lowest common denominator and give property more rights than people...

Yes, thanks for clearing that up.