Financial Writers Slam Irish Bailout

Washington’s Blog
November 27, 2010

Punishing the populace for the bankers’ sins is worse than a crime.

Paul Krugman wrote yesterday:

These debts were incurred, not to pay for public programs, but by private wheeler-dealers seeking nothing but their own profit. Yet ordinary Irish citizens are now bearing the burden of those debts.

***

Punishing the populace for the bankers’ sins is worse than a crime; it’s a mistake.

Mike Whitney noted yesterday:

Don’t believe the hype about European unity or saving Ireland. My ass. This is about bailing out the banks. The bondholders get a free ride while workers get kicked to the curb.

And Mish pointed out last week:

Today the Irish Government sold its citizens into debt slavery by agreeing to guarantee stupid loans made by German, British, and US banks.

***

Why the average Irish citizen should have to bail out foreign bondholders is beyond me, but I do note that the same happened in the US with taxpayers footing an enormous bill for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG.

Fresh food that lasts from eFoods Direct (Ad)

Share this article: