The economic downturn is hitting the Greek economy. As a Greek living abroad I say GOOD. Am I spiteful? Am I bitter? Do I hate my compatriots?
None of the above.
However, the situation in Greece has become so unbearable at all levels that is leading to stagnation. It is sad to say but we as nation have not matured. We have not reached the level when we can have a planned development. As a result development can only take place when necessity dictates and a few years of hardship are needed to kick start a stagnant state to a better tomorrow.
What do I mean this?
Let me explain. Greece as a country has always verged at the edge of bankruptcy. One would think that in such an environment the citizens of a country would also verge at edge of destitute. On the contrary, unlike any logical scenario, my fellow Greeks in Greece live a wonderful life with minimal work effort, high returns, expensive holidays and several real estate investments that would make any European envious. I often naively wandered how is it possible that I, with a descent income, can only afford a single home after years of mortgage and yet a civil servant in a small town in Greece can have two town houses and a holiday home.
Were does this wealth come from in a country in which 46% of the population are civil servants and as such they do not contribute to the creation of wealth?
Tax evasion is part of the answer. Spending what has already been accumulated by previous generations is another part of the answer. Living beyond the means on borrowed money is the final part of the puzzle that will destroy my country.
All of these have to be corrected and to be corrected they have to be addressed. However, anyone that had to deal with the Greek civil service, the Greek educational system, the Greek Tax office, will tell you one thing. Nothing works. People have been put into places of power not for their ability but because of their political affiliation and as such it is not in their interest to change the status quo.
What is the incentive for the tax officer to do his job when he knows that he will be bribed if he tries to investigate the shopkeeper.
What is the incentive for the shopkeeper to pay his workers the correct minimum wage, to the state the VAT or to accept that his profit has to be reasonable and not 500%, when he knows that he has to pay extra for his child’s education because the teachers do not do their jobs in state schools.
What is the incentive for the school teacher to devote his live to education when in reality he never wanted to become a teacher but the University entry system has force him to this career and not the one of his choice.
What is the purpose of an education system that will allow a university student to reach the final year of education without completing the exams from all previous years and he is allowed to take subject exams as he/she sees fit. This tells you much about the relevance of what is taught at Greek universities.
What example is given to the new generation of graduates when their tutors demand that they have to buy the tutor’s book (bad imitation of good academic books) in order to pass the exams. These books are extra income to the tutors.
What tell you of a nation when your health, which is the most basic right, is in the hands of a Greek Nantional Health Service doctor, public servant, that will demand extra undeclared money in a brown envelope in order to treat you at the most vulnerable point of your life.
What is the incentive to make Greece a great country when all its components are rotten?
What you do with the rot? You get rid of it and replace it with solid wood but while in the process you take the whole structure apart.
This is what is needed in Greece and if this requires drastic measures let it be it.
As for me?
Last time I tried to go back I was met by the status quo.
