Posted on 05/07/2010 3:36:40 PM PDT by RightOnline
We've all been watching the video of the Greek riots of late. The coverage, even on Fox News, seems to be clearly implying that the Greek citizenry are angry over upcoming spending cuts due to Greece's horrific financial situation, need for EU bailout monies, etc. In effect, we are being told that this is just a bunch of spoiled brats who are used to sucking off of the public teat and are angry that their cushy pensions, etc. may be cut even slightly.
Well, according to a conversation I had this afternoon, this is anything but the case.
I have a good friend in Massachusetts who is Greek (artist by profession). Born in Greece, parents moved to the U.S. some years ago and are successful restauranteurs. Dual citizenship....Greek, U.S. Their ties to the "home country" are very wide and very deep. They speak Greek around the house and the restaurant...you get the idea.
According to my friend, what is REALLY happening is something completely different from what we're being told, and also explains why Washington is very concerned. I don't claim this to be the gospel truth, I only report to you, my fellow FReepers and lurkers, what I've been told by someone close to the situation whom I trust.
They're fed up. They're fed up with a corrupt, Socialist government. They're fed up with cronyism. They're fed up with rights and freedoms being taken away. They're fed up with watching their national treasure being squandered. They're fed up with the fact that their voices are not being heard and have NOT been heard for years.
Greece is the cradle of Democracy, and they are a fiercely proud people. We've all been led to believe (yes, including me) that they drank the Socialist Kool-Aid and sold their collective soul to the State for a false sense of security.
Instead.....I'm trying to choose my words carefully here......it seems that what we are seeing is something akin to our Tea Party movement, but VERY angry and even violent and not organized. Their citizens are furious. The announced cuts to pensions, etc. were not the 'cause'; merely a straw that broke the camel's back.
IF what my friend says is true, then I will say I have a whole different perspective on what is going on there, and even a new respect for the Greek citizens themselves. No, NO one has the right to torch a bank and kill employees inside. Violence is NOT the answer. That said, I think we can all agree that a citizenry will only take so much before they finally take to the streets.
I'm not Greek and have never set foot in the country. I merely pass this on as (rather impassioned) input from someone I respect and trust and who is very, very close to the reality that is Greece today. If this is closer to the truth, and if the same is inevitable soon in Portugal, Spain, and Italy......could this possibly signal the beginning of the end of European-style Socialism? Is that why Obama & Co. are actually watching events in Greece so closely, possibly concerned that the same could happen here?
Food for thought. I say we give the Greeks the benefit of a doubt, and I encourage the media to dig much deeper and speak with people on the streets there to better understand their anger and frustration. We just may find that we have far more in common with them than we have differences.
Except that it’s the Communist Party of Greece that is organizing this.
Perhaps, but how many benefit eligible members of the Tea Party movement would react favorably to a plan to reduce or eliminate the Social Security or Medicare entitlements in favor of more affordable benefits (e.g. limiting Social Security and Medicare spending to dedicated taxes raised).
This is the great dilemma of our time. Even the well intentioned and patriotic have been co-opted by the welfare state. And resolving this is not going to be easy or pretty.
“according to my friend”
Now that’s a good reference right there !!!
amazing :-)
Greeks have a proud heritage, and are proud of their country and their fellow citizens.
They stood up to the Turks who conquered Byzantium, and they finally threw them off in the nineteenth century.
But ancient Athens, the mother of civilization, had the same virus as modern Greece—mass Democracy that turned into the desire for welfare benefits.
During the war, the Nazis overran Greece, and as in other European countries the Communists pretty much took over the resistence. There was a strong strain of Communism in Greece, Italy, and France. They very nearly took over those countries, and they have undermined them since direct action failed.
Early retirement, short work hours, generous benefits—they want more and more and more. And the various governments have accomodated these wishes in order to get into power.
Now the chickens are coming home to roost.
I bet you your friends name is Kennediopoulos.
Again, just passing on what this person (and family) tell me. They aren’t Socialists nor hard core right wingers. They’re hard working Greek-Americans who are highly upset with what is going on in their country. No doubt there are many there who fit your description (just as we have here...in growing numbers). I’m merely saying (reporting?) that this is NOT the core reason for the anger amongst the majority in Greece. This has apparently been building for YEARS.
YES WE ARE!
Your friend is correct and I believe it won’t be long before we may see that happen here.
Glenn Beck has been talking about how a lot of the riots are being done by unions and special interest groups (who want the socialism)
Here is some of what he’s said re: Greece:
IN FEBRUARY...
• Greece: Economists are now saying that the U.S. is actually in worse shape than Greece is.
Have you seen what’s going on in Greece? They are bankrupt. Overall debt was 113.4 percent of GDP. Hmm, out-of-control debt and deficits plus no slowdown in government spending; where have I heard that before?
Their weak finances are threatening the EU and the EU just punished Greece by stripping them of their right to vote at critical meeting next month. Greece is the cradle of democracy. It means Greece has no more sovereignty in the EU. California you’d better pay attention.
We’re doing the same things. And did you see Great Britain is dealing with “unexpected” inflation?
Oh Glenn, that could never happen here in America!
Really? How did Great Britain get to this point? Let’s see:
• They socialized their medicine. We’re following their lead on that one
• They pushed the risky mortgages. We followed their lead on that one too
• They took over the banks. We followed their lead on that one with TARP
• They printed more money. We followed on that one too
And now they have inflation? Guess who’s also going to be following that one?
And here’s his latest on Greece...http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/40019/
I meant, your friend is NOT correct.
Oh give me a break, pal. It’s anecdotal, I went way out of my way to say as much. It’s offered as a perspective of real Greeks that runs contrary to what the media is spoon-feeding us.
Now drop your sarcasm. I don’t appreciate it.
Moreover, it is not at all clear what goals the reformist protesters have. Less corruption? More political turnover? More freedom? Or is the primary objection simply that harsh austerity is now unavoidable?
lol socialism works for greece like in cali
Greece has had elections for years. The Greeks got what they voted for. We are getting the same.
There are two major political parties in Greece, the left and the ultra left; the Greek citizenry wouldn’t have it any other way. Like a lot of other Europeans, the industrious Greeks have migrated to other countries.
Well-said, great questions. I think a lot of their problem seems to be a lack of a viable, cohesive opposition with a REAL plan....and a commitment to non-violent opposition, I hasten to add.
I asked about that, too....a lot. Let’s just say that what I was told is that, well, the consequences of elections there (really, who is elected vs. who is appointed) are vastly different than here in the U.S.
Let's not forget the Spartans. They seemed very socialist, and they knew how to fight!
Your friends may NOT represent Greeks at "home",because ,first of all,they left "home" for better oportunities,and secondly,obviously work hard(anyone who runs an eatery works hard or it goes out of business).
People who leave the "old country" for America's opportunities, yet forever wax eloquent regarding the many ways the "old country" is so great ,annoy me,especially if they wish or want the U.S. to change to be more like the "old country".
I had a supervisor from Europe often criticizing U.S. roads,politics,and business practices;yet when asked why he came here,it was for jobs for him and his sons!Finally,whenever he launched into another lecture why the U.S. should change to conform to his homeland,I would point east and say"it's about 3,000 miles that way".
re: Oh give me a break, pal. It’s anecdotal,
ok...break ;-)
just stirring the fire.
if this continues.....the domino will be here...
M.A.D. .....coming to our country soon ???
It tends to be the case that rioting in the streets throughout the world is restricted to a certain ‘type’ or class of person. The left, one might say. While they riot, the rest of the citizenry sits at home, fat and happy, or unhappy.
When the Tea Party assembled in cities across the US, or on the two occasions they came to the Capitol, there was no rioting.
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