Apple should buy Greece

[Chuckanut]

I am putting this topic in the political area because I can't find a better fit and I think it involves some politics.

Apple has a bundle of cash. If fact their hoard of cash is greater than the national debt of Greece. So, why can't Apple buy Greece? Greece's financial problems would be over, the Euro would be safe and the world economy would be healthier.

What does Apple get? Apple makes about 1/2 million dollars per employee. Think of all the money they can make by adding millions of Greeks to their payroll!! All those plants in China - the ones with lousy working conditions, polluting air and water - can be closed and moved to Greece which, being and EU country, has much better working and pollution laws.

The Apple store can open a new section featuring Greek products such as olive oil, apricots, wine, sweets, nuts, honey, etc. Also, travel deals to Greece to try out that camera in the new iPhone.

My 2 cents.

 

[explanade]

I'm sure the assets are worth more.

Tourism probably generates billions a year. I think there was talk that creditors would take some assets, like the airport in Athens, for repayment of debt?

It doesn't sound like the Greeks would produce as much as the Chinese.

 

[Chuckanut]

I
It doesn't sound like the Greeks would produce as much as the Chinese.

OK, so Apple only makes $250,000 for each Greek employee. Still, not bad.

 

[mh]

OK, so Apple only makes $250,000 for each Greek employee. Still, not bad.

I was thinking Iceland myself. Smaller population. Data centers for their clouds would need minimal cooling. Lots of geothermal energy and aluminum production. I'm guessing that the icelandic population is more tech savvy, and... you've got a captive workforce for 3/4 of the year.

 

[Nobulife]

No self-respecting European is going to agree to work for Apple and become crippled or paralyzed through overwork and exposure to toxic dust and chemicals. Do some research into Foxconn's working conditions and you should, if you have a conscience, never buy another Apple product.

 

[Midpack]

With all due respect, this thread is offensive. However, while I understand the concerns about working conditions, I don't understand why the almost singular focus on Apple...

Foxconn customers:

Acer Inc. (Taiwan) [27]
Amazon.com (United States)[28]
Apple Inc. (United States)[29]
ASRock (Taiwan)[citation needed]
Asus (Taiwan)[citation needed]
Barnes & Noble (United States)[citation needed]
Cisco (United States)[30]
Dell (United States) [31]
EVGA Corporation (United States)
Hewlett-Packard (United States)[32]
Intel (United States)[33]
IBM (United States)[citation needed]
Lenovo (China)[citation needed]
Microsoft (United States)[34]
MSI (Taiwan)[citation needed]
Motorola (United States)[31]
Netgear (United States)[citation needed]
Nintendo (Japan) [35]
Nokia (Finland)[29]
Panasonic (Japan)[citation needed]
Samsung (South Korea)[36]
Sharp (Japan)[citation needed]
Sony (Japan) [37]
Sony Ericsson (Japan/Sweden)[38]
Vizio (United States)[39]

 

[explanade]

And beyond tech products, if you aren't going to buy products because of how they were produced, then you better lay off textiles and athletic shoes and most other things made in China.

Further, stop buying produce harvested with migrant farm labor, don't patronize restaurants using illegal immigrants being paid sub minimum wage workers.

Don't pretend that some parts of the rat race are less morally objectionable than others.

 

[MichaelB]

This thread is confusion. How does a business buy a country, and why should it make a difference if Apple's cash reserve is greater that the Greek national debt?

 

[arebelspy]

This thread is confusion. How does a business buy a country, and why should it make a difference if Apple's cash reserve is greater that the Greek national debt?

I think it was a joke.

 

[Midpack]

I think it was a joke.

Someone would have to explain the humor for me, I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt...

But it may well just be me.

 

[Alan]

I think it was a joke.

Someone would have to explain the humor for me, I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt...

If Apple shifted its production to Greece then it could advertise that it sells Greek, as well as Geek, products.

Sorry, but that's the closest I could come to a joke

 

[Bestwifeever]

Apple plans to buy Greece but is waiting for the Groupon.

 

[arebelspy]

Someone would have to explain the humor for me, I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt...

If one has to explain it, it ceases to be funny.

If it never was funny to you in the first place, it certainly won't be after an explanation.

Personally I thought it was mildly amusing as a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, but obviously got killed by scrutiny as a serious suggestion.

 

[eytonxav]

As a shareholder, I'd vote against it

 

[mh]

This thread is confusion. How does a business buy a country, and why should it make a difference if Apple's cash reserve is greater that the Greek national debt?

It's a joke thread. Trying to read too much into won't get anyone too far...

 

[Chuckanut]

Ummm..... I thought it would be obvious that this thread was intended to inject a bit of humor into certain events recently in the news. I guess I was wrong. My apologies.

 

[ERD50]

Ummm..... I thought it would be obvious that this thread was intended to inject a bit of humor into certain events recently in the news. I guess I was wrong. My apologies.

Well, this is the "FIRE Related Political Topics" sub-forum, not the 'Funny Joke Thursday' thread.

I assumed/guessed it was a joke, but like some others, I didn't 'get it', so I really couldn't say for sure if it was a joke or not.

We've had some pretty crazy things presented as serious (and vice versa), so one can't really assume.


-ERD50

 

[ERD50]

If one has to explain it, it ceases to be funny.

From my view, 'If one has to explain it, it [-]ceases to be[/-] never was funny'.

But as they say, humor is a funny thing.


-ERD50

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Cecil Rhodes bought Rhodesia. The US bought Alaska, the Louisiana Territory, the Arizona Territory (maybe; I have to ask my daughter, who knows Arizona history), the Virgin Islands and paid blood money for California.

Sometimes it works out.

But why would anyone buy a country of work-averse Europeans who can't balance a checkbook (OK, chequebook)?

 

[Chuckanut]

Well, it looks like the opportunity is over. Greek bonds, those offered after the initial bailout, are now paying approximatley a 20% interest rate. Even Apple can't afford that.

 

[ziggy29]

Well, it looks like the opportunity is over. Greek bonds, those offered after the initial bailout, are now paying approximatley a 20% interest rate. Even Apple can't afford that.

They could if the could buy the bonds and retire them or pay themselves -- not to mention that if Greek interest rates go even higher these bonds get cheaper. Anyone want to visit the iParthenon?

 

[explanade]

The TV reports from Athens makes me want to visit. The Parthenon gives off a golden glow in the background.

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

Watchin' Cyprus these days. Both sides.

 

[EvrClrx311]

I think some are vastly overestimating productivity in southern Europe

 

[Chuckanut]

Greek bonds are currently yielding about 24%. Or, one could have invested in Facebook, which is down about 25% since the IPO. Just another opportunity for investors in the Capital Depreciation Fund.