The Germans keep on telling Greece to cut, cut, cut. They urge the Greeks to implement more and more austerity measures. But what is the result? Greece suffers from daily strikes and rising unemployment. They’ve been through five years of recession.

The Germans wanted Greek bond holders to get a haircut. They’ve agreed upon a 50% cut. But what effect does it have on ordinary Greeks in the streets? Bookstore sales are down 70%. Youth unemployment is 40%. 1 in 4 stores in Athens is boarded up.

Germans should ask themselves if the same thing that works for them works for the Greeks. Germans like austerity. They respond to it well. Greeks don’t. They might even ask themselves if Greece belongs in the EU. Greeks talk about a post-World War II atmosphere. That should certainly resonate with the Germans.