Will try and keep this short and unGreek in drama. I am a Germanotsolias according to many people here. The term refers to the police collaborators with the Nazis and is very fashionable again. Ι write in full knowledge that I am probably going to be pinpointed by this, already the Press is facing ridiculous inquisitions on political grounds.
Europe I am sorry. We just kept taking your money, lying through our teeth and spending it. Even just before the referendum, our government was busy hiring more civil servants under various guises. Even after the referendum, our ministers are lying to your face. They are not going to make any proposals. Even if you give away all our debt and accept all our terms, they won’t sign any agreement. They don’t need to. 61% of half the voting age Greeks, voted No to the referendum. Some of them were fooled. Many of them truly believe that now is the time to start a global revolution against banks, the European Union and the shortcomings of the global economy from our country.
I am sorry. I know it sounds ludicrous. It is preposterous. Imagine what we feel like. That 39% that managed to vote “YES”, despite all the pressure. Despite seeing close friends suddenly lose touch with reality with a religious fervour that is truly frightening. People that should have known better. They studied abroad, they do business with other countries, they work with the European Union yet….somehow they manage to disregard reality. For some it is a knee jerk reaction to being accused by others. For some it is an indirect admission of guilt. They feel we should be reduced to rumbles in order to work our way back up. They imagine it as a quick musical interlude in a corny American movie, a dramatic song, our hero working overtime and then…everything is fine ten minutes later and the movie ends.
On top of it all, our latest government has played the “Europe needs fixing” card in a way which is criminal. Just as the Scottish referendum showed the UK how to move towards a more Federal model and things are moving in the right direction, comes the Greek bulldozer. So let this be a warning to you all. For too long, European politicians have blamed Europe. It was the easy choice. Be careful what sows you seed and by all means, don’t allow your current politicians to lead you to fanatical choices.
Maybe Europe doesn’t “work” for you. If you have a strong economy, reliable politicians and social cohesion maybe you can do something better on your own. Just don’t rush into it.