Greece is beyond a basket case. At least you're still kicking in a basket.

The nation is hopelessly in denial - a shocking example of a modern society ignoring reality in order to live in a fantasy world. A recent poll shows that 80% of the country opposes the austerity measures that Greece must take if it is to receive the next infusion of cash from the EU. Already, the taxpayers of Europe - mostly Germany and France - have anted up $140 billion dollars to keep Greek workers and pensioneers in a lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.

That's over now. And the determined resistance to realizing that is what is causing the violence. The BBC:

If the package is not approved, Greece could run out of money within weeks.

Without a new plan in place, the EU and IMF say they will withhold 12bn euros of loans which Greece needs to repay debts due in mid-July.

[...]

The general strike has halted most public services, banks are closed and hospitals are operating on skeleton staff.

Airports are shutting for hours at a time, with air traffic controllers walking out between 0800 and 1200 (0500-0900 GMT) and 1800 and 2200 (1500-1900 GMT). A number of flights were also cancelled at Athens international airport.

Trains, buses and ferries are also affected.

In Athens, the metro is the only form of public transport which will work "so as to allow Athenians to join the planned protests in the capital", metro drivers said.

More than 5,000 police officers were due to be deployed in the centre of Athens as the protesters marched towards parliament.

The EU simply can't allow Greece to go under. If the workers aren't paid, it could get extremely ugly - French Revolution type ugly.

I suspect that 12 billion euro payment will be forthcoming whether the austerity plan is passed or not.