Irish debt crisis
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Ireland bailout reignites fears about the future of the euro
What role do you think Germany should play in stabilizing the eurozone?
None! Dismantle the EU and the euro as quickly as possible before the entire EU ends up in one big, deep hole out of which there is no escape. The EU the euro are a big mistake. -- Vera, Germany
The concern for German taxpayers is that, by helping to sink more money into eurozone countries with high government debt, that will only add to their debt burden that they will not pay off in the end, and could result in Germany paying for the losses of other countries. Due to the expansion of the EU in jurisdiction and its administrative power, this has seemed to be sped through very quickly without much critical thinking to the point where it has may have overextended the whole project in its scope from what is practical. -- Philip, Canada
Your article quoted Herr Heinemann, of the Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim, Germany, as saying, "does anybody see the US currency union breaking apart because of the imminent Californian bankruptcy?" Is Herr Heineman really so ignorant? It is illogical and invalid to compare Europe and its currency with American states and the US currency. Europe has a monetary union, but not a fiscal or political union. The US has a monetary, fiscal, and political union, in which the fifty US states are more analogous to the German Laender than they are to the sovereign states of Europe. So, a better comparison with Californian bankruptcy's impact on US monetary union would be to think that Baden-Wuerttemberg would establish its own currency in response to declaration of bankruptcy in Bayern. To employ an American idiom, Europe is whistling past the graveyard on this issue. -- Michael, US
Ireland's financial rescue triggers early elections
Ireland is another country that proves that the euro cannot succeed in practice. -- Davor, Serbia
Cowen puts the burden on the back of families, students, workers, unemployed, health service, police and firefighters. I wish there was an election to tell the politicians via bad language that they are traitors and gangsters to this country... The politicians are out of touch - they are living on the backs of the people. -- Michael, Ireland
Germany denies pressuring Ireland over business tax
The Irish Republic must alter its budget so that all sectors contribute fairly. It has been too eager to attract firms who have not invested anything substantial. Many are little more than fly-by-nighters, who will simply move on when it looks like their activities will be put under the spotlight and seen as little more than shell companies who have contributed nothing to the nation. -- Roland, New Zealand
Specter of 'ghost estates' haunt post-property boom Ireland
Is property in some European countries simply overvalued?
This is mostly a result of easily attainable credit in the boom times. Another small country, Iceland, also had credit access in the same manner and look at what happened to their economy and real estate market. Perhaps entire economies and individuals alike had better start embracing a more cash basis way of life? Credit allows those to live above and beyond their means, a sort of false sense of having it all. -- Eugene via Facebook
The overvalued homes may not only be sinking in price due to the general economic state of Ireland but also due to bad workmanship. The place I rent is falling apart, cracks on walls and light bulbs hanging on a thread. Built in the boom and going out like a bang. -- Joel via Facebook
Compiled by Stuart Tiffen
Editor: Chuck Penfold
