You live longer than us so you have to cut pensions and medications

European Commission President Barroso believes that our country must proceed to reductions in wages, pensions, medical and welfare costs due to the economic crisis but also for another reason: Greeks have a higher life expectancy than other Europeans.

As he says in the 41 pages of his plan, life expectancy in our country reached 78.4 years for males and 82.8 for women in 2010 (corresponding to that of the 27 EU member-states at 76.4 and 82.4 respectively in 2008).

Barroso gives priority to the sustainability of public finances. Does the year 2012 as the key to the future of our country. The election type appearance, asks the Greeks to be patient because now located halfway between the results of their efforts would "soon be seen, and in 2012 already."

Barroso gives priority to the sustainability of public finances. He considers that 2012 will be an important year for the future of our country. In his election-type appearance, he asks the Greeks to be patient because now they are halfway through and the results of their efforts will "soon be seen, even within 2012."

He promises an "historical transformation" of our country, utilizing its many advantages: shipping, tourism, good universities and a generally well-educated workforce, logistics and an energy hub in Southeastern Europe.

Barroso’s plan sets multiple objectives:

- up to 20 billion euros will start flowing directly to the market, SMEs and agriculture from the ESPA and other community programs

- 300 million euros will be donated to support the unemployed

- especially for unemployed youths, they are preparing a system whereby they can get their first job in the private sector with funds from EU programs

- provides for a firewall against poverty, while it does not exclude cuts to very low pensions

- along with 340 billion euros in loans, Greece will receive a total of 388 billion euros, i.e. 177% of the Greek GDP, or about 85 times larger than the American "Marshall Plan" which is estimated at about 2.2% of GDP

It considers the following as requirements:

- sweeping changes in the public sector

- elimination of corruption

- simplification of the tax system (elimination of special privileges and exemptions)

- restoration of public trust to the State

- fulfillment of economic obligations of the State to citizens (eg tax returns).