In praise of the taxpayers
It?s striking that the vast majority of Greeks are doing their utmost to meet their financial obligations toward the state by paying the emergency taxes and other levies imposed by the government in its efforts to fulfill the debt-wracked country?s commitments to its international creditors and avoid default.
This is striking because it?s all happening while society is under huge pressure as a result of the ongoing economic recession and a painful increase in taxation.
However, the positive response demonstrates that most of this country?s citizens have respect for the laws and the state.
A mixture of corruption and incompetence within Greece?s political system over the past decades has encouraged rampant tax evasion and fraud.
We can only hope that those Greek citizens who are currently paying their taxes will demand, and at some point find, the political representation they deserve, and one which lives up to the demands of these difficult times.
