The anonymous Greek still dreams
This national holiday finds us in a melancholy and pensive mood, and not just because economic indices are plummeting but because the lies of the powers that be and their shoddy political planning are revealed once more – not two months passed between reassurances being given that we were outside the eye of the storm and stern warnings that we are actually sinking. Another thing that has come to light – not that we didn’t know it anyway – is that the cost of the financial crisis will not be shouldered by the wealthy, but by the anonymous middle and lower classes. And so, once more, we have ignored the fiery words of the anonymous author of the 1806 Hellenic Nomarchy, who stated in revolutionary tone that even the poor would learn to live well and be rich under the Nomarchy, that laws are there to protect the have-nots, that all children are the nation’s children and her responsibility and that they in turn would love and cherish her. Who this anonymous Greek was we do not know, but, as Nikos Beloyiannis wrote in 1952 from his prison cell as he awaited execution, maybe it is best if he remains anonymous, because this way he can best symbolize the «anonymous Greek» who felt anguish at the degradation of the country, who dreamt and fought for its liberation. The anonymous Greek continues to suffer and dream. He dreams of what was promised, he dreams that one day the promise will be more than empty words pouring from the lips of one ruler after another, that one day the law will protect the have-nots. Could it be that those who owe the state millions of euros and remain untouched by the government are have-nots? Could it be that bankers, awarded billions for their rapacious stance toward lenders are have-nots? Could it be that the former minister who resigned because he preferred his offshore companies and now presents himself as the crusader of property tax is also a have-not? Give me strength.
