The comparision is false. The Greeks decided to let everyone retire at 53 years of age on a government pension. That is clearly excessive, and does not compare to the United States in any way. They also were passing out Christmas bonuses to government workers equal to 14 months of pay, something that would cause a Republican riot if it were to happen here.

Diane Francis: Greece Is Not a Country, It's a Party

They also do a lousy job collecting taxes.