Mechanisms will be found to avoid the collapse of Greece’s economy, though it appears to be teetering on the brink. European nations and possibly the United States will devise some strategy to help Athens avoid defaulting entirely on its debts.

But the weekend vote by Greeks to reject a bailout offered by the European Union reflects a dangerous game of “chicken” being played by that country’s people, encouraged by their government. It is a stance the United States – as hypocritical as it may be for us – should not reward.

The EU’s offer came with strings attached in the form of additional credit in exchange for fiscal austerity action by Greece. But that nation’s voters were unwilling to accept conditions such as cuts in government spending, including changes in Greece’s public pension system.

Greece’s unemployment rate, slightly above 25 percent, has contributed to its fiscal woes. But so have lavish social programs, including a pension program under which about 75 percent of people retire by age 61.

Some entitlement reforms simply must be adopted by the Greek government.

Again, that position may seem strange for Americans, who have failed to make needed reforms in our own entitlements. But a no-conditions bailout of Greece would set a bad precedent, leading to much more trouble in the future.