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**Written by Doug Powers

About half of U.S. households receive a government benefit of some sort, and there is no sign of either entitlements or the government’s “tax a lot and spend even more to bring down the debt” mentality slowing down. After that, simple mathematics takes over and chaos ensues. Just ask Greece:

ATHENS, Greece — The Greek parliament approved on Monday a deeply unpopular austerity bill to secure a second bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund and avoid a messy default.

The vote occurred after 100,000 demonstrators marched to the parliament and buildings were burned down in central Athens. Following the vote, black-masked protesters created a wall of fire with petrol bombs and set fire to cinemas, cafes, shops and banks.

Fifty police officers and at least 55 protesters were hospitalized. Forty-five suspected rioters were arrested; a further 40 were detained.

Following the vote to cut $4.35 billion — which means axing one in five civil service jobs and slashing the minimum wage by more than a fifth — violence spread to other Greek towns and cities, including on the holiday islands of Corfu and Crete.

“I’ve had it! I can’t take it any more. There’s no point in living in this country any more,” said a man walking through his smashed and looted optician store.

Greece, and much of Europe for that matter, provide an unpleasant glimpse into what the future holds for the United States (as Daniel Hannan has warned). Will our government heed that warning? Unless changes are made in November and well beyond, that won’t be the case.

Update: Some video from Greece (h/t Fox Nation):

**Written by Doug Powers

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