Why do people blame bankers and not Euro politicians for Europe's economic mess?

[sasguru]

Yes, that's how hedge funds run by a handful of people make money.

If Soros was put in jail back when he broke GBP then most of this tulip would not have happened.

Yes the government should jail all the pesky people who use the markets against them.
That would be good because then the government could decide how to run the economy without outside interference from market forces.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the economic success that is the: Soviet Union.

Oh wait ....

Moron.

[sasguru]

In comparison, yes. But not 'perfectly'. They were however serviceable and the Italian economy, while there are a lot of things wrong in Italy's politics, could actually get a big boost from some pretty minor measures.

They are serviceable are they? Maybe in terms of paying the interest only.
TBH, I find it hard to conceive how they can ever pay back the principal.

[AtW]

Yes the government should jail all the pesky people who use the markets against them.

Market manipulation is illegal.

It's job of the Govt to create conditions that it gives no rewards - best to tax heavily any short term gains to completely remove people who have no intention of making proper investments, but to make sure they get the message put a few of them in jail somewhere in cold Scotland.

[BrilloPad]

Yes the government should jail all the pesky people who use the markets against them.
That would be good because then the government could decide how to run the economy without outside interference from market forces.

Market forces are great. However I think the current system is a bit too loaded in favour of the rich.

[Mich the Tester]

They are serviceable are they? Maybe in terms of paying the interest only.
TBH, I find it hard to conceive how they can ever pay back the principal.

They could, but it would take some time and some economic reforms; not the kind of radical reforms that some former communist states needed, but breaking the closed shops in some sectors, some adjustments in pension rights and tackling cartels and organised crime, for which any government would probably get a lot of public support, certainly in the regions most affected by organised crime; probably the biggest myth of Italy is that it's impossible to get the mafia out of business or government; it isn't, there is enormous public support, especially in the south and Sicily, for getting them out; it's a lack of political will among the political parties, especially Berluscummy and his cronies. That's why Mr Monti is probably right in putting together a 'politician free cabinet'; if anything good come from all this it's that Italy may finally get a competent government.

[sasguru]

Market forces are great. However I think the current system is a bit too loaded in favour of the rich.

Market forces are the checks and balances that stop politicians being stupid.

[AtW]

Market forces are the checks and balances that stop politicians being stupid.

What checks and balances?

Those "market forces" you referring to punish not the politicians but ordinary people who have to pay more taxes in form of increased prices on oil and other stuff.

[BrilloPad]

Market forces are the checks and balances that stop politicians being stupid.

Then its about time market forces were restored. No more bailouts for *ankers.

[doodab]

Market forces are the checks and balances that stop politicians being stupid.

There is no force, be it market, electromagnetic, nuclear or supernatural that can stop politicians being stupid.

[sasguru]

There is no force, be it market, electromagnetic, nuclear or supernatural that can stop politicians being stupid.

That's true. But eventually the markets foil their worst plans e.g. the Euro
Just imagine if we didn't have them: Europe would have drifted into being the Soviet Union with an even more massive bust up at the end of the process.