Your point about 'leading countries' is irrelevant as none of them are contemplating debt default. Greece cannot default while running a deficit as it would need to raise debt to finance that deficit while repudiating earlier debt

If they don't have a primary surplus, they have to raise debt so cannot default.

Ensure a primary surplus (revenue exceeding spending before debt costs) Default while staying in the euro Much of the world is shifting away from the EU and USA towards China. They are setting up an alternative payment clearing system to SWIFT and infrastructure bank - no reason why Greece cannot realign towards China and Russia for monetary and energy needs.

It seems to me that the new government of Greece is making progress in improving their financial situation... their personal, individual wealth, that is, of course, following the tradition of corruption:

http://www.tovima.gr/politics/article/?aid=688036

Google translation: https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=el&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tovima.gr%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2F%3Faid%3D688036

Greece’s Athex Composite GD, -1.50% tanked almost 13% Tuesday — the biggest drop for the index on record, according to FactSet. The renewed jitters came after the government, in a surprise move late Monday, said it would bring forward presidential elections to Dec. 17, potentially, setting the scene for snap elections in early 2015.

Here’s why that’s important: Far-left party Syriza currently is leading the early polls and it seems likely they would win a snap election.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/greeces-stock-market-just-suffered-its-worst-collapse-ever-2014-12-09

Public Power Corporation (PPC) is heading for a financial blackout as unpaid electricity bills are growing at an annual rate of 30 percent, having reached 1.7 billion euros at the end of July from 1.3 billion euros last year.

More than half of that amount, or 960 million euros, concerns household bills. Some 430 million is owed by high-voltage consumers and 180 million by the broader state sector.

Judging by a further deterioration in bill payments since August, PPC officials estimate debts will soar to 2 billion euros by the end of the year.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_1_30/09/2014_543344

Progress.

The number of drug addicts living on the streets of the capital has doubled since the beginning of the country’s economic crisis, according to research by the Therapy Center for Dependent Individuals

The standard of living of those who do have a roof over their heads has deteriorated too, however, with four in 10 addicts telling aid workers that their homes lacked electricity and running water.

Progress.

Greece should dump the EU for the EAU

New debts to the Greek state are constantly mounting while the repayment of old ones has slowed down considerably, according to a Finance Ministry document seen by Kathimerini.

The document shows that only 9.3 percent of past debts were collected in the first few months of 2014, against 12.3 percent a year earlier, while new expired debts are being created faster than the old ones are being repaid, fed by a 63 percent jump in fines for administrative violations compared with last year.

Another ministry document reveals that the worst-faring debt repayment category is that of the property tax on the self-employed, as only 7.9 percent of this has been collected.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite2_1_23/05/2014_539987

@VK

I was pretty sure you would see it the other way around :) But what if there were the resources, and the government/ bank parasites preferred to betray their country, sink it to poverty, then allowing the energy parasites to get their part even cheaper (or a bigger part)?

Edit: To make myself clear, what I mean is, the fact that the energy parasites want and will take their part is a given. Isn't it the governments/banks parasites job to at least make a proper/standard deal for their country? Hence the betrayal remark.

@MirrorMan

Concerning kids and the new isolating habits-parents fear, internet/computer addiction, etc- I think it's a quite common problem in most big cities. The rest of your observations are in line with what I'm experiencing the last 1 year that I've returned to Athens.

@VK

Yup, and they' re not easy to fix, especially the second :)

The food is still great, the weather as well, and the summer is coming, tourism helps :) I've seen and experienced much worse concerning poverty & health care having lived and worked in cities like NY, London, Dubai, Krakow and others, but that's obviously my experience, not everyones. The media are either exaggerating or covering up and every one is playing their role which is understandable, but the worst problem is this "general feeling of deep uncertainty about the future", in every level, as MirrorMan said, the feeling of being controlled by more powerful countries and organisations is too intense, we feel as hostages, with no power over their fate (thanks to our politicians). Personally, I plan on leaving again after the summer, but I'm the adventurous type, I can't stay in one place anyway :)

Yeah, when I was in Athens a few months back we wandered into one of the "poor" neighborhoods (which didn't look that bad). There was an empty lot converted into a park with some kids playing by themselves. My Greek friend commented, "those are gypsies, Greeks never let their kids play alone in the streets anymore, they're too paranoid". After another week being on the streets, it seemed true. There's part of your 'social exclusion'. The real 'glue' of society is at risk. There was a rally or protest of some sort every single day, some quite aggressive contributing to a general feeling of deep uncertainty about the future. The problems are not only related to the current "crisis" however, many stemming from a complex history from modernism, to fascism to neoliberal exploitation. The food remains excellent however, so there's hope yet ;)

You might want to rethink your ideas about Greece...

It has nothing to do with Greece. This is the biggest issue, as such writings for so deep in specific things and specific people so they forget any reality around.