If this distasteful mix of sentimentality, xenophobia and wilful self-deception is typical, no wonder the Greeks are in such a mess. And they expect Germans to pay off their debts?

The reality is the Greeks have been taking early retirements on huge pensions, and then wondering why it all falls down around there ears.

Blaming everyone else is just not on.

How are they going to learn that you need to be responsible with your money, and that working in a cushy government job for twenty years, then retiring on almost a full pension at the age of 40 is not sustainable?

Sorry but these people are lazy, and now the party at everyone else's expense is finally over, they are turning violent.

Previous comments that Australia is headed the same way are unfortunately true, or at least will be as long as Comrade President Gillard and the politburo are running things...

This article is one of the worst pieces of writing that I have ever read. It is almost incoherent. The analysis of Greece's problems has little basis in fact and ignores many of the failings of Greece's leaders and people. Basically, Greece goes bankrupt and its all the fault of the foreigners? Hmm, where have I heard that before?

Hmmm...

My interpretation of this article was that the author was BLAMING his fellow Greeks for falling for the worst aspects of the Western lifestyle.

Decadence, Fast food diet's,.....

btw... you do realise that on average Greece is ranked third for working hours in Europe. It's their productivity and economic/tax/ workplace systems that are terrible.

Should a whole nation be made to suffer for this?

Yes