So much freedom, so much choice, so many opportunities to matter.
And yet, our cultural instinct is to find a place to hold us, a spot where we are safe from the responsibility/obligation/opportunity to choose. Because if we choose, then we are responsible, aren't we?
In a nutshell, the ECB unexpectedly and suddenly canceled acceptance of Greek bonds as collateral for liquidity funding unless Greece honors the existing deal.
Until that happens, the Greek central bank, not the ECB, will have to take care of liquidity needs related to runs on Greek banks.
The ECB press release states the situation with little fanfare as follows: "The Governing Council decision is based on the fact that it is currently not possible to assume a successful conclusion of the programme review and is in line with existing Eurosystem rules."
A Bloomberg View on "Greece's Hidden Haircut Proposal" just came my way: "By the time the EU is done with the Syriza novices, Greece's debt may be a little lower, but the government's radicalism will be a tattered banner," says author Leonid Bershidsky.
Bershidsky is another in a long line of persons who do not understand simple math. Time will tell who is waving the "tattered banner" over what can and cannot be paid back. My bet, one way or another, is on the alleged "novices".
Who is the Novice?
One way or another, there is going to be a major haircut. Here are the choices.
An adult meeting of minds takes place as to what can or cannot be paid back.
Parties agree to yet another can-kicking exercise that prolongs the agony at increasing expense down the road.
Greece suddenly defaults with massive repercussions now instead of later.
Like it or not, there are no other choices. Normally, one would expect option number 2. That is what bureaucrats most often do.
However, it's increasingly likely that both Syriza and Germany have both had enough. German citizens support the "no-haircut thesis" by a 68%-28% margin.
Varoufakis and Tsipras are political novices, but both seem to be masters of game theory, and both know full well (and are willing to admit) Greece is bankrupt.
The honest admission, "Greece is bankrupt" should take them down the correct path, that extend-and-pretend is precisely the wrong thing to do.
Spreading the Pain
It's painful for any politician to say "we are bankrupt". Yet that admission paves the way for other things.
For the sake of Greece, I actually hope Syriza keep its pledge to negotiate a debt reduction.
Then, if the ECB and Germany do not bend, history will eventually show them to be the novices, not Greece.
If Germany and the eurozone do not bend significantly, Greece may very well come to the conclusion it has little to lose and everything to gain in the long haul by telling the Troika to go to hell.
One Step Closer to Solution
My math says Grexit will be painful for Greece, but it will be far more painful for Germany.
There is much merit regarding a global debt solution in proving that statement, even if Greece does not properly take advantage of the opportunities Grexit would provide.
Merkel's Christian Democratic-led bloc in parliament has agreed not to give in to any "bad compromise that "defacto adds up to a debt writedown," Hans-Peter Friedrich, a deputy leader of the caucus, said in an interview today.
"Greece, not Germany, is under time pressure," Friedrich said, citing the Greek government's cash requirements following the end of the current round of bailout funding at the end of the month. Tsipras and Varoufakis "aren't in a position to make demands, let alone try blackmailing tactics," he said.
Noose Tightens on Greece (and Europe)
France is the only country that had shown any sympathy towards restructuring Greek debt.
However, Greek hopes for France hit the hard rocks of reality today when French President Francois Hollande warned Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras that "respecting the rules is necessary for all, for France too, and it's not always easy."
Podemos and Syriza are philosophically aligned, and the leaders of both parties communicate with each other.
Meaning of Solidarity
Merkel has repeatedly pledged "solidarity" with Greece. Her curious definition is along these lines: "Do exactly what we tell you, or suffer the consequences".
Meaning of Generosity
German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble said "Europe had already pushed its generosity to Greece to the absolute limit. We need solidarity in Europe, and besides we cannot be blackmailed."
Schäuble's definition of "generosity" is to load Greece up with €250 billion in debt that cannot possibly be paid back, then demand repayment.
I happen to agree with that letter in entirety, even though I strong disagree with other Syriza positions.
Please read the letter if you haven't yet done so. It makes a mockery of the alleged "generosity".
Smart Debt Engineering
Yesterday the stock, bond, and commodity markets went absolutely giddy over a Smart Debt Engineering proposal by Greek finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis.
Varoufakis said the government would no longer call for a headline write-off of Greece's €315bn foreign debt. To avoid the term debt "haircut", Varoufakis instead proposed a "menu of debt swaps" and "perpetual bonds".
I commented "Perpetual bonds: clearly never meant to be paid back. Gotta love the honesty of the idea."
No Foot Kissing
In spite of the fact that Greece had done nothing but ask for a "haircut" disguised by the term "perpetual bond", the markets acted as if Alexis Tsipras kissed Angela Merkel's foot.
Today, oil reversed again, giving up all of yesterday's gains and then some. It's down 8% on the day. Equity markets held yesterday's gains, sticky as usual.
"Time Pressure" Thesis
Let's return to a statement made by Hans-Peter Friedrich, a deputy leader of Merkel's caucus: "Greece, not Germany, is under time pressure."
Friedrich's statement is one of the following.
Blatant ignorance
Game playing bluffery
I often wonder, "Do these guys really believe what they say? Can they be that ignorant?"
As a big fan of Occam's Razor (the simplest explanation with the least assumptions is most likely the correct one), the answer to both questions would tend to be yes. Why? Because "game playing bluffery" assumes they are telling a lie, doing so on purpose, in belief the other guy will not see the bluff, whereas "blatant ignorance" is a simple assumption.
However, we also have the popular thesis eloquently stated by Jean-Claude Juncker, former Luxembourg PM and former Head Euro-Zone Finance Minister "When it becomes serious, you have to lie".
Thus, one has to carefully balance these two ideas
Politicians lie, it's what they do.
Politicians in general are economically illiterate.
From that aspect, it's very hard to tell exactly what's going on.
Time Pressure on Both Sides
Unless there is an agreement (someone gives in big time), Europe is headed for a massive blow-up.
I believe Germany has far more to lose than Greece should an exit occur. German responsibility for its share of the debt would be close to €73 billion, Italy €48 billion, Spain €32 billion.
Anyone who does not think that would cause instant devastating contagion is crazy.
That begs the question: Does Merkel really believe Greece does not matter from a contagion aspect, or is that a ridiculous bluff?
"We're prepared for any discussions at any time but the basis can't be changed" sets the tone for Germany.
I wonder if the Greek position is on purpose.
Tsipras' claim that he wants Greece to stay on the euro. That helped get him elected. Is that how he really feels?
If not, then unless he gets nearly everything he wants, Grexit is all but assured. And if no agreement is reached, Tsipras has an easy fallback plan: Blame it on Germany and the much hated Troika.
Mish's Game Theory Math
Greece will be severely disadvantaged in the short term if it exits. But it will also recover faster.
If Greece stays in the eurozone, on Germany's terms, it will bleed to death for another decade or more.
Germany and the Eurozone have more to lose than Greece.
If Greece exits, the entire eurozone will blow sky high simply because of "exit math"
If Germany and the eurozone does not bend significantly, Greece may very well come to the conclusion it has little to lose and everything to gain in the long haul by telling the Troika to go to hell.
And that is a position I endorse even though I disagree with many of the overall policies of SYRIZA.
In the end, my analysis says the eurozone has far more to lose than Greece if a Grexit occurs. However, I highly doubt Germany realizes that.
Even if Germany does, it takes unanimous agreement from all 19 eurozone countries to revise the agreement. That's part of the math.
Place your bets.
Time on My Side
As a tribute to the silliness of Germany's "Time Pressure" Thesis, I offer this musical tribute.
Time is not on anyone's side here. Especially Germany's. Both sides are under pressure.
When Friedrich says "Greece, not Germany, is under time pressure," he is either engaged in a dangerous bluff, or he displays blatant economic ignorance.
The same applies to Chancellor Merkel when she claims the eurozone is prepared for a Greek exit.
Addendum:
A Bloomberg View on "Greece's Hidden Haircut Proposal" just came my way: "By the time the EU is done with the Syriza novices, Greece's debt may be a little lower, but the government's radicalism will be a tattered banner," says author Leonid Bershidsky.
Bershidsky is another in a long line of persons who do not understand simple math. Time will tell who is waving the "tattered banner" over what can and cannot be paid back. My bet, one way or another, is on the alleged "novices".
Mike "Mish" Shedlock http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
Spanish voters are shifting their support towards Podemos in growing numbers, according to a poll that provides fresh encouragement to the far-left anti-establishment party as it prepares for a series of tricky electoral contests over the next few months.
The poll showed that Podemos would win 24 per cent of the vote nationwide, making it the second-biggest group behind the ruling Popular party of Mariano Rajoy, prime minister. The figures showed a rise from 22.5 per cent in October and 15.3 per cent in July last year.
Released by the CIS research centre on Wednesday, the poll offers the first barometer of Spanish public opinion since the January Greek elections, which saw the triumph of the far-left Syriza party, a close ally of Podemos. Podemos has already sought to capitalise on the triumph of its Greek partner, holding a mass rally in Madrid last Saturday that attracted more than 100,000 supporters.
The survey also offered an important pointer ahead of next month's election in Andalucia, the most populous region in Spain and a traditional bastion of the centre-left Spanish Socialist Workers' party (PSOE).
The CIS poll found that Podemos was now the only main party whose support was still rising — suggesting that the new movement had yet to hit its electoral ceiling. The PSOE, still the main opposition force, fell back to third place.
Poll Trends
Dissatisfaction
In spite of the alleged recovery in Spain voters are disastified. Why? Unemployment is still near 24% and youth unemployment is still over 50%.
"Spaniards should be aware that it is physically impossible that they can pursue policies that meet the national interest, within the euro as it is designed. The euro was conceived as a real trap, but nowhere is it written that people have to accept it ." said Iglesias.
Nestle's short-term euro-denominated bond yield has fallen into negative territory, possibly marking the first time in history that a corporate bond maturing in more than a year has had a negative yield.
Alberto Gallo of RBS points out that if eurozone companies and governments continue to issue debt at the same pace, then the euro-denominated bond market will actually start to shrink once the ECB starts buying, given that its purchases will outstrip monthly supply of debt.
Privilege of Lending Gone Mad
Yes indeed folks, you can can now pay Nestles for the privilege of lending it money.
In honor of this historic event, I offer this 1950s historical tribute.
This poor fox had been trapped in the mud when some people walking by decided to help him. Then it was off to the animal hospital for a bath and now he looks brand new again.
Chinese women work the whole day long ranking the App Store applications and writing the reviews. Number of installs, good ratings and reviews push the apps to the top of the App Store.
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