He cites a Brookings study which finds Greece the most corrupt nation in Europe, more corrupt than even Italy, Portugal or Spain, which is saying something. My favorite line in the article is a quote from Professor Stavros Katsios of Ionian University:
The core of the problem is that we don't have a culture of civic society. In Greece, complying with the rules is a matter of dishonor. They call you stupid if you follow the rules.
I also like this quote from Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, reflecting on the fact that one-quarter of all Greek taxes owed aren't paid:
If politicians are corrupt, if there is corruption, why should I pay my taxes? I don't know where my money is going.
Greece sounds like a third world country which should never have been admitted into the European Union.
