First of all, I am Greek. Secondly, I never learned to "master tax-dodging" nor would I think of it. Having lived in Canada for the last 60 years, I have paid every cent of taxes I owed the Government.
And yes, contrary to what Rosie DiManno may lead you to think, many Greeks are honest. But clearly, they are out-numbered by the dishonest ones.
But DiManno's story has bigger problems than that -- not as a story, for she writes well and does her homework. No one can really find much fault with her content.
The problems are one thing she alludes to and one thing she stays totally clear of. She alludes to the government's either inability or unwillingness to actually "throw someone in jail" for evading taxes. That's a problem. They could have done it by now in order to signal to Greeks they mean business, but they have not and under the current economic situation, the problem is getting worse.
The second thing (the one which she does not mention) is the response that most Greeks would provide if they read her column: "Fair enough, but let's start with every Greek politician and senior bureaucrat. Recover the taxes from them, throw them in jail, and we'll see to it that we become honest." That's a bigger problem. I think the "troika" (EU inspectors) should be looking into that.
From my worldview, you can't lead people to the heights of honesty when they see you as a liar.
World News: DiManno: Greeks are masters of the tax dodge - thestar.com
[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]
Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive free updates. We bring you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe for free to this blog or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And please share this blog with your friends. Ken Godevenos, Church and Management Consultant, Accord Consulting.
And yes, contrary to what Rosie DiManno may lead you to think, many Greeks are honest. But clearly, they are out-numbered by the dishonest ones.
But DiManno's story has bigger problems than that -- not as a story, for she writes well and does her homework. No one can really find much fault with her content.
The problems are one thing she alludes to and one thing she stays totally clear of. She alludes to the government's either inability or unwillingness to actually "throw someone in jail" for evading taxes. That's a problem. They could have done it by now in order to signal to Greeks they mean business, but they have not and under the current economic situation, the problem is getting worse.
The second thing (the one which she does not mention) is the response that most Greeks would provide if they read her column: "Fair enough, but let's start with every Greek politician and senior bureaucrat. Recover the taxes from them, throw them in jail, and we'll see to it that we become honest." That's a bigger problem. I think the "troika" (EU inspectors) should be looking into that.
From my worldview, you can't lead people to the heights of honesty when they see you as a liar.
World News: DiManno: Greeks are masters of the tax dodge - thestar.com
[Are you looking for a speaker at your church, your club, school, or organization? Ken is available to preach, teach, challenge, and/or motivate. Please contact us.]
Thanks for dropping by. Sign up to receive free updates. We bring you relevant information from all sorts of sources. Subscribe for free to this blog or follow us by clicking on the appropriate link in the right side bar. And please share this blog with your friends. Ken Godevenos, Church and Management Consultant, Accord Consulting.
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