So its official. The World is broke. Not broke in that it needs fixing, although that could be the case, but broke in that it is financially at a low ebb. There are still some countries which are solvent and some industries that are prospering but on the whole it is economic doom and gloom across the globe.

Not a great prospect nor a good legacy for future generations. Of course many of us have lived through similar situations. Times have been tough before I hear you say. However this economic downturn has all the hallmarks of the great depression. One that will dog us for the foreseeable future. One that could lead to further problems as so often such problems have a tendency to snowball. Then of course there is the domino effect. As we have become some tied to each other, countries, like in Europe, will experience the domino effect. As one country begins to drown it pulls the others down with it. 

Sadly in the past some deep problems have ultimately been solved through war or disasters. Not that this blogger is advocating either, but rather just stating what has gone before. It would be good to think that we have moved on from that and are more enlightened these days but I fear that we are not.

Currently some countries seem intent on making War with Iran. If this is allowed to happen it will be the Mother of all wars. It will level the playing fields in such a way that they will be unusable for years to come.

This blog though started on world economics. The lies and hypocrisy. The fact that there is no money left to help those in need, yet there will always be money for conflict. For weapons and armies. It may be that armed forces are being cut but that only means the money is being spent on other means of doing battle.

There is always money for banquets given the right situation. Europe may be about to fold under a mountain of debt yet there is always money to fund another forum. Another meeting in Brussels that all the head's of state will attend. Money for the necessary security for such events. The transportation costs. The damaged carbon footprints that flights here, there and everywhere create. The limousines. Expensive posturing at a high cost. 

The deeper Europe gets into debt the more meetings leaders feel they need to hold and attend. Yet if money is so tight what is there to keep talking about? There must only be a few courses of action open. Is it nothing more than pandering to the electorate of each country?  Going through the motions so that we all feel everything that could be done was done.

But wouldn't the money be better spent. Couldn't leaders hold conferences using new technology, from the comparative safety of their own turf. The savings could go some of the way to curing the financial woes of Europe.

When we are constantly being told that there is no money we do not expect to see our leaders swanning off to Brussels or Switzerland to meet. It becomes immaterial what the meeting was for. All we see is another bash which will cost people dearly. It is about  time the leaders did their job in the best and most economical way possible. Until they do how can they expect the people of Europe to agree to swingeing cuts?

What happens is that it appears as if we, the people, are being treat as children. We are expected to follow the outdated adage which children were told once upon a time, that is, "do as I say not as I do" The times have changed and we are less gullible and trusting that we once were, especially as far as politicians go.

Lead by example and stop this futile waste of money and resources.

The leading lights of Europe have been meeting in Davos, Switzerland, this weekend to discuss a way forward for the Eurozone. As they seem to be constantly demanding we all tighten our belts perhaps the days of such expensive forums should be numbered. Protesters were out in force meaning a heavy police presence, more expense and more conflict. There was even a feminist protest by topless females. It might be as well that they were arrested given the freezing cold conditions.

It must surely be about time though that the forums were held by way of conference calls or other such 21st Century technology. Hell the money they could save would go a long way to curing the ills of Europe. The World Economic Forums, WEF, may be useful but can leaders justify the cost?

Germany has been ruffling feathers again apparently demanding that Greece hands over its budget control. Of late German demands have been a cause for concern on more than one occasion. This has caused bad feeling resulting in some saying that rich Germany should now payback some of the money that was used to rebuild that country. And on it goes.Old wounds reopened.

The fact that Germany could even consider asking that Greece hand over control of its budget says a lot. Germany seems to see itself as the B all and end all of the EU right now. This in part is due to the money it stands to lose if Greece crumbles.

However Greece, in line, with Italy no longer has a democratically elected leader but rather technocrats. In some ways it is laughable. The West keeps interfering in countries such as those in the Middle East demanding they follow a democratic path whilst is is dismantling democray in the EU. Hypocrisy seems to be the name of the game.