Imagine, what it really would take for the youths of the United States to get up and revolt as their counterparts in Greece.  Think about it.  For a government to take their youth, their future, and bring them to such a level where collectively they take to the streets because it’s the only thing left to do. 

Is this really Athens, Greece? (Yes it  is)

Greece:  What’s Going On?

When one thinks of Greece, the islands, beaches and sun come to mind, as it should.  Those views were shattered about a week ago, when little snippets here and there about riots in the cities of Greece began broadcasting throughout the world.

But why?

Greeks are known as being hard-working, passionate, loving people.  This is exactly the reason why their youth are out in the streets.

To go and visit Greece is one thing, to live in Greece is another.  

It is not easy for the average Greek worker to scrape by a living.  There are those who are “in” with the right people in the government. They get the better jobs and higher salaries, and of course you always have the very wealthy.

Entrepreneurs have it more challenging, especially those who only rely on the domestic market. It is common for Greek wholesale business owners to wait upwards seven months to a year to collect monies from other Greek businesses for services rendered.  This helps in ruining an already fragile economy.

The most public, and saddest, example of this is the state-run airline, Olympic Airways.  In the 70s and 80s working for the Onassis-started Olympic was like being a Greek royal.  You really had to know someone in the government to nab a job there.  So what happened?  Over the years, the government kept opening more positions within the airline.  All of sudden, the airline had ten workers doing what only one should be doing.

Then Greece joined the European Union and the Euro…things  were forced to change.  British Airways went and tried to help Olympic.  Greece is fortunate geographically, located between Europe and Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, perfect for an airline like Olympic. 

When British Airways tried to make changes in order for Olympic to be profitable, their unions with government-connected jobs fought back, and won.  British Airways voluntarily took a huge loss and their expertise back to London, leaving Olympic by itself (with more losses), and on the path to the brink of bankruptcy.  And the government would not budge, after all, they are the ones who put the jobs there in the first place.

This is only an example of many more.

One can make similarities between what’s happening right now with the youth of Greece and what the poor Muslims did not too long ago in the streets of France.  Both are oppressed and helpless to better themselves.  The only thing is the youths of Greece are destroying their people’s property and livelihoods, especially right before the holiday season where most shops make the majority of their sales.

Some thoughts as to why this is happening.  My opinion only, of course:

Thought

The youth see their parents struggle for the basic necessities, even more so pinched from a slowing economy.  Factories have closed, prices have risen, and it’s much harder to make a living.

Thought

In the meantime, even the brightest of students find it impossible to get into the state universities – thousands per one slot apply for acceptance, some go abroad to study.  Following high school, the majority, a sliver below stellar and down, end up either in the military (all males) or the workforce (female).  After roughly  12-15 months of military service, for males, it’s time to look for a job.  These few entry-level jobs are low-paying positions.  There are cafes all over Greece filled with youth who find similarities in their oppressed situations.

Thought

Politics and Greeks go hand in hand, for example, newspapers are slanted according to which party they support.   Corruption, back scratching, pay for position politics are a common practice. 

Thought

Mix it all together and you have an oppressed youth with a great deal of repressed energy.

Result

A bomb ready to explode.        Graffiti found in Athens.

At first it was the non-student youth who began in small groups to congregate in the streets of Athens.  It took an inexperienced police officer to shoot a 14- year old to then bring in the students into the streets.  Not only that, but Greek students from universities all over Europe began protesting in front of Greek Embassies to show solidarity for their brothers.

The government sits idle while the Greek children vandalize shops, set fire to cars, and smash windows.  The owners of such properties to be compensated for lost sales and damage with tax monies, monies that don't exist.  Keep in mind shop-keepers declare a small portion of their income to the government and I assume compensation will be based on declared sales.

This is the centre of Athens, not some far away suburb!

Imagine, what would it really take for the youths of the United States to get up and revolt as their counterparts in Greece.  Think about it.  For a government to take their youth, their future, to such a level where collectively they take to the streets because it’s the only thing left to do. 

This isn’t a minority living in a country, like the Muslims in France, but a majority.  Think about it.

The Future

My prediction? The government might change hands, but things will got back to business as usual. However, Greece is headed for a very painful road to get in line with EU requirements.  Everyone might talk of reform, but there's more important things to take care of first.