‘Seriously, the most advanced place on Earth’
Posted by Jacob Sloan, 19th July, 2012
Bloomberg reports:
Icelanders who pelted parliament with rocks in 2009 demanding their leaders and bankers answer for the country’s economic and financial collapse are reaping the benefits of their anger.
Since the end of 2008, the island’s banks have forgiven loans equivalent to 13 percent of gross domestic product, easing the debt burdens of more than a quarter of the population.
The island’s steps to resurrect itself since 2008, when its banks defaulted on $85 billion, are proving effective. Iceland’s economy will this year outgrow the euro area and the developed world on average, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates.
Iceland’s approach to dealing with the meltdown has put the needs of its population ahead of the markets at every turn. Once it became clear back in October 2008 that the island’s banks were beyond saving, the government stepped in, ring-fenced the domestic accounts, and left international creditors in the lurch. The central bank imposed capital controls to halt the ensuing sell-off of the krona and new state-controlled banks were created from the remnants of the lenders that failed.
Iceland’s special prosecutor has said it may indict as many as 90 people, while more than 200, including the former chief executives at the three biggest banks, face criminal charges. That compares with the U.S., where no top bank executives have faced criminal prosecution for their roles in the subprime mortgage meltdown. The Securities and Exchange Commission said last year it had sanctioned 39 senior officers for conduct related to the housing market meltdown.
http://www.disinfo.com/2012/07/iceland-jails-bankers-erases-citizens-debt-recovers-strongly/
6 Responses
some one with the balls who will lock up the bankers
I personally feel anyone found guilty of a criminal offence where by they made a living by there illegal activities should four fit every asset they have be it a bank account, a house and furnishings, car’s et if that was made law it would make some think twice.
One can only say ‘ If Only’ . The government of Iceland are obviously far superior to the fools who govern our nation, and the people are a fine example of what can and should be done. While we in the UK and the EU suffer the lie of Austerity and the deceit and spin associated with it by greedy politicians, the Icelandic nation sees the highest growth, and a total reversal of the trend taking place globally……………funny that .
Austerity is Poverty Squalor Misery and Deprivation for Ordinary People and
Luxury and Privilege for Politicians and the ” Royal Family ” in their Palaces
The UK Needs to Wake Up Otherwise it will be a Further Catalogue of Things
Getting Worse unless the People of the UK Like things Getting Worse
No to Debt Slavery Yes to Full Scale Redistribution of Wealth from Rich to Poor
Now
Just come across this brilliant site.
Thanks, Mike!