Smoke Signals From A Broken Economy

By Lam Thuy Vo

Published January 3, 2013 at 9:28 AM MST

These days, plumes of smoke hover over and other Greek cities, and citizens are complaining about sore throats and teary eyes, .

It's one more consequence of the country's broken economy.

Heating oil is super expensive in Greece, for a few reasons. Taxes on oil went up last year as part of the country's . On top of that, Greece has laws that protect the country's two refining companies and prevent competition, driving up prices, .

"The Greek political system works for the insiders," one expert . "If you're an insider, there will be an attempt to protect you. If you're a poor person ... you are on your own."

Yesterday, a group of doctors warned the Greek government that air pollution was at dangerous levels, according to . Those most at risk were young children and the chronically ill.

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Smoke Signals From A Broken Economy

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