As someone from the Netherlands and pro-EU, this kind of thinking is not helpful at all. My knee-jerk response to this statement is to say something like: We h

As someone from the Netherlands and pro-EU, this kind of thinking is not helpful at all. My knee-jerk response to this statement is to say something like: We have been saying that to Spain and Italy for years. Spain and Italy have been violating the stability pact for years, during the best economic times. And now, when the crisis hits, they want to use our money, the money we saved by increasing retirement age, increasing taxes, and cutting costs. Money that we really need to stimulate our own economy. But that would just lead to more arguing which is not going to help anyone. What I will say is that the Dutch government immediately offered help, but offered it in donations and through the Emergency Stability Mechanism, which is precisely what was agreed upon previously. This help comes with conditions to make sure that Italy and Spain do not become dependent on Dutch support, but can actually take care of themselves in the future. To say that means that 'The Netherlands' (as if everyone in the Netherlands, especially the people in the flower business is represented by our government) didn't care about people dying is an insult to the people hit by this.