Where do all these bailout billions keep coming from?

[Ari]

So Spain now has a one hundred billion euro bailout from the "Eurozone". Thing is, I thought everyone else in the Eurozone was already up to their neck? We are, and still sinking deeper despite all the cuts.

So given the worldwide recession, where are all these billions and billions and billions being magicked up from?

[NismoGT]

Back of the sofa?

[SystemParanoia]

i need a billion ££ bailout.. who do i ask for it?

[Terminator X]

They just print it, what can possibly go wrong!

TX.

[Deva Link]

They take it off public sector workers.

[Cheib]

It's only a loan......

[fido]

Deva Link said:

They take it off public sector workers.

Who are paid out of taxation i.e. the private sector. And inflation which is stealing from anyone who has net assets.
And a weak currency which is taking from anyone who has to spend that currency.

[rumple]

Our fking Petrol Pumps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AJS-]

They do seriously just print it. Bizarre way to try and fix a struggling economy.

[Ari]

Then surely the concept of money is broken? If it can just be printed its meaningless as a system of exchange isn't it?

[The Hypno-Toad]

Ari said:

Then surely the concept of money is broken? If it can just be printed its meaningless as a system of exchange isn't it?

Here's a strange thought. What if they don't even print it, maybe these bailouts are just the idea of money?
You press a governement button and suddenly the other country gets 12 billion in its bank account. What if that money doesn't physically exist? What if they are taking the gamble that know one is ever actually going to see the money and it all just is smoke and mirrors?

Lets face it, when was the last time you held more than £2000 actually in your hand? When I went to my local branch to get £1500 out a couple of years ago I was told I would have to come back after lunch! (seriously!)

What if none of it, really exists????

Twilight Zone music, fade to black..........

[steveatesh]

Ari said:

Then surely the concept of money is broken? If it can just be printed its meaningless as a system of exchange isn't it?

You should keep yourself up to date with the Euro 2 thread, it covers your question very well.

[AJS-]

Ari said:

Then surely the concept of money is broken? If it can just be printed its meaningless as a system of exchange isn't it?

It is, but only relatively more broken compared to last week.

Governments always print money, it just depends how much of it they print, and how much relative to other governments. The reason the major currencies are relatively strong is that they are backed by stable governments who print only predictable and manageable amounts of money according to how much they want to debase their currency that year. As compared to the likes of Zimbabwe or Venezuela who just keep churning it out.

[Cyder]

Couldn't the Royal Mint just print a few billion without telling the rest of the world and 'magically' pay off some of the national debt?

[Dracoro]

Cyder said:

Couldn't the Royal Mint just print a few billion without telling the rest of the world and 'magically' pay off some of the national debt?

Brilliant. LOL

[BoRED S2upid]

And why is it always a hundred BILLION? Its never a couple of billion or several hundred million is it. Always massive amounts of money that the normal person couldn't even envisage the sums are so large.

[andr3w]

One of the pitfalls of printing too much money...

[Dracoro]

andr3w said:

One of the pitfalls of printing too much money...

That always reminds me of Austin Powers

[Puggit]

[Sonic]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

^^