It was one of those head-shaking nights on the golf course. Oh well … it happens. Meanwhile, let’s move on to a mid-week dose of satire.
The debt European debt crisis is not new news by any means, however, leave it to The Onion to discover some of the measures individual countries are taking. Any favorites?
Austria: $5 surcharge every time anyone in the world watches The Sound of Music
Italy: Suspending all sewage and trash pickup services, effective 1993
Greece: Government to lay off thousands of government-employed anti-government protesters
The Netherlands: Releasing part two of Anne Frank’s diary
Finland: Increasing one of those European-sounding taxes, like the GATT, or the VAT, or the SCRAT, or whatever
Andorra: Tourism board charged with really getting the word out there about Andorra.
Poland: World War II–related tours now cost the usual price plus whatever is in one’s pockets and also that watch
Portugal: Quietly breaking away from Spain in the middle of the night and floating across the Atlantic in search of a better life
Germany: Subtly reminding the rest of Europe what happened last time they faced hyperinflation
Ah… too bad the Onion didn’t mention Israel. Here they’ve added another 1% to the VAT tax.
Shimon,
And we wonder when it will work our way. Thanks for sharing. BTW – it’s good that Israel didn’t make The Onion list!
Could be they don’t think it’s funny if it’s true… but I know a few people who think it can be both surrealistic and satirical at the same time…
Laughing at life’s events can be helpful.
liked Austria and Portugal
LouAnn,
The hills are alive with satire! Thanks for stopping by.
lol
The Poland and German ones made me laugh out loud.
Weebs,
Creating LOL is the sign. Thanks for visiting.
I’d like to add one, a surcharge every time the French close the borders with a strike.
While we lived on the Swiss/French border there were strikes for (and I am NOT MAKING THIS UP) (1) Christmas bonuses for the unemployed; and (2) vacation pay for the unemployed.
Great non-work if you can get it.
Elyse,
Thanks for sharing.
Those are brilliant ideas! And I can’t believe neither of our parties have picked up on them.
Hilarious specially Poland and Andorra
Soma,
Good choices by the delightful lady in Delhi. Thanks for sharing.
I have just heard that Mario Monte is trying to get provinces in Italy to amalgamate……This will be very interesting. He is trying to get Pisa and Lucca to work together…..mortal enemies. There is a saying in Lucca – “Better a death in the family than a Pisano at the door.” and I am sure Pisa would have something similar. This could be interesting. I can’t wait to get back to Italy in Setpember to watch the fireworks.
Debra,
Nothing like a dose of reality of the situation. And to think this two cities are so close – physically that is. Thanks for sharing.
I think they’re all brilliant. This is why The Onion deserves the Pulitzer.
Lame,
I second the motion from the brilliant lady in NYC. Thanks for commenting.
Brilliant but bleak. It’s frightening what’s happening in Europe and the ripple effect will be hard to avoid xx
Spiced,
On the other hand, nothing like some satire to take one temporarily away from reality. Thanks for stopping by.
Austria!!
Zannyro,
Thanks for visiting.
That must mean you don’t repeatedly watch the movie!
I think all the Onions have something going for them, but “Germany: Subtly reminding the rest of Europe what happened last time they faced hyperinflation” is my winner because it’s funny and because it just might happen. Sooner or later they have to get fed up bankrupting themselves with continual bailouts to other bankrupt and badly managed states??
PS: I’m no expert, but if you could keep your head a bit steadier I think your golf might improve
Fasab,
Thanks for stopping by.
You just explained the brilliance of satire. As far as the golf, it was just a night of poor execution.
Sorry, I just couldn’t resist that one.
That’s ok … I just know the reason for last night.
I’ve heard Steven Seagal is to star in Anne Frank 2. Can’t wait
Ginger,
And I know you are a reliable source of information. Thanks for sharing the great scoop!
You can’t win ‘em all, Frank. Better luck next time. I wonder when South Africa will make the Onion list. There’s plenty for them to have a go at here, but I guess Africa doesn’t even feature.
Paradise,
Thanks for visiting.
Well know … should I take this as a request for The Onion on South Africa?
Definitely so, Frank.
The Sound of Music is one of my faves. Lovely satire, Frank! =D
I think Portugal might be closer to doing so than you realise. And the Onion missed one key additional tax – visiting politicians’ gaffe, 5 euros a whack. (Heck, Mitt might actually bail Italy out single-handed!
) And what about poor little Luxemburg? Maybe adding a charge for every map sold, to include a pin with a flag stuck into the map to mark their place? I never COULD find them on a globe, as a kid. 
I think the Germans have the strongest argument.
Guapo,
Lotsa realism in that one. Thanks for commenting.
lol! The Onion has some good writers.
Robin,
No kidding … sometimes I wonder how zanny of of place it might be. Thanks for commenting.