"Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says he's frustrated with European countries' failure to take "clear and decisive action" to get a handle on their financial problems"

I think the rest of the free world and the vast majority of citizens feel this way as well. Something's going on behind the scenes because it's quite ridiculous that a country like Greece with their export/import ratios and levels can impact the entire globe in such a way as it has over the past few months. There's more to this story than Greece or Italy, but it hasn't showed it's true form yet.

Mr. Flaherty, I was ready the Financial Times today and the feeling is mutual. You, your boss and the entire government of Canada is an embarrassment.

Kind of fed up with all of them! Power to the 99%!

Frustrated with Europe? Look at your own backyard!

The teaser headline read, "Flaherty fed up with Europe".

Well, "Canadians fed up with Flaherty" would be just as apt.

As an American, and watching our leaders basically feeling the same way, here's the way I feel about all of this nonsense.

First, exactly how did OUR financial system get so entertwined in your (Europe, et. al.) financial systems that your stupidity can destroy us? (I'm not discounting our stupidity, as the US crooks essentially developed these deadly "financial weapons of mass destruction")

Second, nothing we are being told is the truth. A very, very large part of all of this "globalization" of finances involves complex derivatives, which are, for the most part, completely invisible and unregulated. So, when "Uncle Ben" tells us the US only has, at worst about 4 trillion dollars in exposure, it's just kind of a WAG (wild-a**-guess). If the real amount of derivatives world wide exceeds the 600 trillion (estimated), then it's a 10:1 ratio of derivatives to total world economic dollars. Ben, a more realistic valuation of true exposure is 8 trillion to 40 trillion using your "base" number of 4 trillion.

Third, and most importantly, when the first major "crack" in the system starts, most likely Greece/Italy, it's unlikely that the annihilation of the total financial system can be avoided.

Fourth, it's not all bad news. I hope I'm wrong in believing collapse is inevitable, but if I'm correct, a collapse "resets" everything. All those dollars held by corporations and individuals will, at least for a time, be complete worthless. The 1% joins the 99%.

Mr Flaherty has no business in criticizing anyone. If it wasn’t for Paul Martin and his approach to the banks . Mr Flaherty will bring cocktails to the table only. Just remember his budgets estimations which is his main job basically…if I woke up from an alcohol coma after 6 months I could get those numbers with the same accuracy.

I'm sure Europe cares what Deficit Jim thinks.

jimmy's concern begs the question as to what is the real reason for his concern ?Maybe things here are not as rosy as he and harpo preach.

I am fed up with Flaraty pulling budget numbers out of his butt.