Once Again, Austerity For Thee But Not For Me

Here’s another example of financial obscenity. This time, in Europe. Yes, it seems to much for the Eurozone to lead by example.

While Greece erupts in riots over spending cuts mandated by international banks, bureaucrats in Brussels are fretting about the lavish new headquarters they’re building for themselves.

With stunning insensitivity, details about the $335-million Europa edifice — seven years in the planning and due to open in 2014 — were unveiled to leaders of member states attending an austerity summit.

Herman Van Rompuy, the EU president, calls the building a “jewel box;” to David Cameron, the British Prime Minister, it’s a “gilded cage” funded by hard-pressed EU taxpayers. Designs suggest an enormous box with an egg in the middle.

Cameron can afford to be rude: the building was backed by one of his Labour predecessors, Tony Blair, at a time when he was busily sucking up to Brussels in the hopes of becoming EU president.

“Egg in the middle”- Is it courtesy of Faberge?

So, let me get this straight, while those living and paying taxes in EU countries are told to tighten their belts, be mature and all grown up, because they’re going to have to start going without many services and losing their jobs and such, have to wait til their older for retirement if at all, yet those fools running the Eurozone have been building that piece of monstrosity and gawd knows what other luxuries?

Well, well, well! Who’d a thunk it? British PM, David Cameron, he of the draconian austerity budgets would make some semblence of sense where this building is concerned. But you’re not forgiven neither, sir. I’m sure you’re still a livin’ high on the hog. Have you led by example? Have you made any cuts to your parliament? I don’t think so.   You also still don’t get that austerity doesn’t work. Off with you!

One thing I have to say about the Europeans, at least they’re not that complacent and don’t take their fate too easily lying down. They’re not easily brainwashed by their own governments. I only wish we, in Canada were more like that.

Go look at  the picture of the giant “Jewelry Box” of the Eurozone, if you must.

By ck

Progressive Bloggers // Blogues progressistes