"It is not the European idea that has failed. It is the belief that one country can live on the expense of the other."

That two opposite interpretations of the implications of this statement can coexist irreconcilably vividly indicates the limits of our culture in providing for the common good. The cultural power of denial, a tradition of respect for authority  and the imperative to think well of one's self and country, combined with leaders who instinctively play to those traits have, in Germany, led to the majority of the population self righteously assuming that policies that were pursued, in no small part, for the benefit of a few powerful interest groups represented virtuous sacrifices by all for the common good. It is both easy and powerful to frame an issue in terms of common prejudices and traits.

Thus it is scarcely surprising that most Germans react with anger at those in the periphery when lying leaders tell them that the problem is the result of lazy southerners and their corrupt governments and societies not honoring their obligations. This, of course, omits any mention of the fact that the real problem is with corrupt German elites collaborating with corrupt peripheral elites for mutual profit at the expense of the people of both countries. Unfortunately, the citizenry of peripheral countries has also been subjected to comparably idiotic framing, carefully tailored to the history and circumstances of their country, but incorporating the same wealth serving biases that underlie all 'capitalist' cultures.    

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."