Reply #38: He who pays the piper calls the tune

[Nuclear Unicorn]

The people may not like the austerity measures that are part of the bailout.

OK, but it seems they are in no position to make demands of the people whose money they seem to be dependent upon. If they reject the terms their erstwhile bailer-outters are setting as conditions for the money the bailer-outters may decide to rescind their offer. If the Greeks didn't really need the money then why are they asking for the bail-out in the first place? So the verdict is -- they NEED this money ----- BAD!!!

But they can't just take the money and not change the habits that got them in to this mess in the first place. Maybe that sensible course of action would be different from what the EU is demanding and would not be as painful as the proposed austerity measures, I don't know, but I haven't heard any such proposals.

Near as I can tell they haven't really admitted to having a drinking problem, they just want one more for the road.

I think the PM just lost his nerve. He proposed the referendum ebcause he lacked the spine to take the political fire. In short, he's protecting his job with Greek voters. OK, fine. But if the voter's you're appealing to hurt themselves what have you won? The PM-ship of a bankrupt nation that produces nothing, no one will loan money to and is so riddled with civil strife tourism will die? Have fun.