Two different time zones
In the last few days people in Greece have been living in two very different time zones: real time and political time. While no one living in real time can escape it, not even for a moment, the only winner to emerge from the latter is the political system itself.
That said, the benefits for these so-called winners are hard to discern for anyone who sees things for what they really are.
People living in real time are capable of observing the problems and are able to realize where the country stands at this point, its immediate obligations to third parties, the overindebted households, the unemployment and poverty rates, and the nearly nonexistent growth rates.
Those trying to transport us to the second time zone are the ones who fabricate imaginary enemies from religious symbols, people who assure the rest of society that religious icons will not be removed from public buildings, those who appear willing to write off debts and are promising millions of euros in the form of all kinds of benefits.
Those living in the real-time zone refuse to enter the sphere of the imaginary. This is not because they do not want to escape, but because the reality of daily life leaves no possibility of them doing so.
Bearing irrefutable witness to the world of the second time zone are the various appearances made by political leaders on television shows.
While compilations of statements act as reminders of the recent past which refresh both memory and despair, inconsistency (an elegant version of lying) and endless promises voiced by leaders and parliamentary candidates simply highlight the political dead-end that we have come to as a country.
Nevertheless, after five very tough years, one would have thought that Greek politicians would have come up with a novel recipe besides the recurring and disastrous “there is money” mantra.
Someone ought to muster the courage to accompany, soothe and lead the ailing Greek society through effective measures, as opposed to impossible-to-fulfill promises that are made on the campaign trail. Someone who will not come across as a threatening figure but who is capable of persuading us that they are fully aware that both the inspector and the cashier will turn up the day after the election. Someone who will choose to walk the line with us in real time.
