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Economy Title: Battered by Economic Crisis, Greeks Turn to Barter Networks VOLOS, Greece — The first time he bought eggs, milk and jam at an outdoor market using not euros but an informal barter currency, Theodoros Mavridis, an unemployed electrician, was thrilled. The barter network in Volos has grown to 400 members. “I felt liberated, I felt free for the first time,” Mr. Mavridis said in a recent interview at a cafe in this port city in central Greece. “I instinctively reached into my pocket, but there was no need to.” Mr. Mavridis is a co-founder of a growing network here in Volos that uses a so-called Local Alternative Unit, or TEM in Greek, to exchange goods and services — language classes, baby-sitting, computer support, home-cooked meals — and to receive discounts at some local businesses. Part alternative currency, part barter system, part open-air market, the Volos network has grown exponentially in the past year, from 50 to 400 members. It is one of several such groups cropping up around the country, as Greeks squeezed by large wage cuts, tax increases and growing fears about whether they will continue to use the euro have looked for creative ways to cope with a radically changing economic landscape. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 28. #1. To: Not Badeye, A K A Stone, Fred Mertz, Godwinson, go65, war, no gnu taxes, Skip Intro, ferret mike, jwpegler, mininggold, brian s, mcgowanjm (#0) After years of rampant consumerism and easy credit, such nascent initiatives speak to the new mood in Greece, where imposed austerity has caused people to come together — not only to protest en masse, but also to help one another. Oooo - people helping each other - socialist.
#3. To: lucysmom (#1) Oooo - people helping each other - socialist. That isn't socialism. I think it is great that they found a way around the euro. Socialism doesn't help people. It hurts them.
#5. To: A K A Stone (#3) Socialism doesn't help people. It hurts them. So then if single payer health insurance saves lives, it's not Socialism.
#7. To: lucysmom (#5) So then if single payer health insurance saves lives, it's not Socialism. Where do you get these goofy ideas at? Taking from someone against their will to give it to someone else is socialism. Helping people through your free will and good heart is just good behavior.
#8. To: A K A Stone (#7) Taking from someone against their will to give it to someone else is socialism. What is being "taken"? Everyone would have the same access to health care.
#10. To: war (#8) I take care of myself you take care of yourself. What is wrong with that? If you want to help someone then you help them. If I want to help someone then I'll help them. This is a violation of our natural rights as human beings. This isn't star trek.
#12. To: A K A Stone (#10) This is a violation of our natural rights as human beings. Isn't "Life" a natural right? HOW is denying a HEALTHY LIFE inviolate to that right?
#15. To: war (#12) You see. You liberals want to tell everyone how to live. You want us to all have the same healthcare. You want us to all follow law X and law Z. Then you want to let deadbeats not work and take the fruits of other peoples labor. The fruit of your labor is yours not the collectives. That is the problem with you liberals. You are collectivists that want to tell everyone what to do and how to live and what to eat. When your healthcare law takes effect. You libtards will start complaining about what people eat (cunt michelle Obama is already doing that). Then you will say but we have to pay your healthcare. Such circular self promoting illogic.
#28. To: A K A Stone (#15) The fruit of your labor is yours not the collectives. It is the "collective" that provides you the structure and opportunity to reap the particular fruit that is available in a civilized society - taxes are how you pay for what you get.
Replies to Comment # 28. It is the "collective" that provides you the structure and opportunity to reap the particular fruit that is available in a civilized society - taxes are how you pay for what you get. What you're saying- in effect- is that taxpayer- subsidized government is responsible for society. We managed as a country, to survive 150 years without "income" taxes and a bloated government.. . Which makes your entire line of thought demonstrably *false.* Thanks for playing!
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