Mrs. Kahuna and I are planning to visit the Mediterranean including Greece in the fall. I e-mailed a friend of mine from my banking days to arrange to see him whle we're there. He and his wife are both Greek citizens and he worked his entire career at my bank in the international department, almost his entire career at offices outside the U.S. He and his wife looked forward to retirement and a return to their homeland. They bought a beautiful house overlooking Athens and moved back to Greece within weeks after he retired almost ten years ago. They couldn't have been happier...for awhile.

Here's a copy of his response to my e-mail that I sent to arrange to see him when we were in Greece. It speaks for itself, I think.

Hi xxx, good to hear from you.

I hope we'll be here when you come in late September. Recently we decided to return to Chicago. Our decision was precipitated by the situation in Greece. I don't see things improving in the near future...say in the next five to ten years!! We have the worst kind of politicians. They hate each other, they place their parties above the country's interests and there is no way with these jerks to ever have a functioning government. The political situation here has affected not only the economy but also the social life here. People are desperate, aggressive, striking and rioting, many stores are closing for lack of customers, the banks are running out of money and lending has diminished..!!

Greece will continue to be a beautiful country to visit...! And September is my favorite month because most tourists are gone, the schools have started, if there's enough money to pay the teachers this year, and one can enjoy visiting places without dealing with the crowds.

Please keep in touch. Hope we're still here to see you in the Fall.

Best wishes,

Fotis

I hope he realizes what he's getting into by coming back here. Could be just buying time.

Returning to Chicago?

Doesn't seem to be great idea if he's had it with corrupt politicians.

But, where is anyone immune from that?

A forecast of things to come in this country if our law makers don't straighten up and fly right.

after i read vk's post i was thinking the same thing as richielion!
[now that's scary, huh? ]

Really doubt if things will get that bad in the U.S. at least as long as China is footing some of our debt. Morse's grandkids could be speaking Chinese though. http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/moneym...-China-Own.htm

The German economy seems to be doing well??? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...l?ref=business