(Emblem of the 8th Infantry Division, the first Greek army unit that faced the Italian army in the Albanian front.) On October 28, 1940, the Italian Ambassador to Greece, Emanuele Grazzi, visited Greek Prime Minister (and dictator) Ioannis Metaxas and demanded that Greece allow the Axis forces of Germany and Italy to enter the country and occupy certain strategic locations. Without much thought, Metaxas answered laconically, “Alors, c’est la guerre” (Then, this is war). Legend has it that his answer was an even more laconic one: “No.” For many people, the word “no” (Οχι in Greek) has since become equivalent to Greece’s defiance against fascism. Or, it rather symbolizes the Greeks’ refusal to succumb to any form of tyranny. The great and victorious effort of the Greek army not only pushed the Italians away, but also cost nazi Germany valuable time and casualties in their plan to conquer Europe. Consequently, the Greek armed forces’ bravery played an important part in the victory of the allied forces against the Third Reich. Seventy-four years later and Greek politicians try to capitalize on the national celebration, each in their own, petty way. They all try to win votes by telling us that they have something in common with the brave soldiers who fought in the snowy mountains of Albania. Today Samaras spoke of “messages of unity” in his announcement for the “Oxi” anniversary. The man who submissively said “yes” to every Troika demand, now tries to tell us that we should learn patriotism by our brave ancestors who said “no” to the forces of fascism. Ironic. On the other hand, the SYRIZA announcement on the “Oxi” day is full of Marxist clichés and inaccuracies, while at the same time tells us that the leftist party is a continuation of the fight those brave men gave seventy-four years ago. The rest of the parties draw analogies with today, and with their hypocritical messages try to tell people who, in the spirit of October 28, should vote for them. I think it’s time that the real Greek people, not the vague, general “Greek people” politicians address, start saying no to things that have brought this country to the brink of destruction. I believe that the number one enemy of Greece is not Angela Merkel, not the IMF, not the new world order, the European Union, the Jews, the communists, the illegal immigrants or the invaders from Mars. What is killing this country is corruption, on every level imaginable. From those who sit in parliament and sell false hopes, to the tavern owner who was stealing oil from cemetery candles to cook for his unsuspecting customers. From the public doctor who won’t operate on a poor patient unless he receives a bribe, to the store owner who will not pay his employees and forces them to quit on account (supposedly) of the economic crisis. This is the kind of people we need to say no to. Let’s say no to those who preach hatred against those who have different political views. Most political arguments verge on hate. A look at social media and the comments on political posts will make you think that half of us wish the other half were dead. Let’s say no to the arbitrary moral superiority of those who believe they possess the “truth” because their party leader tells them so. Those who try to bring us back to the dark days of Civil War and pull us back instead of push forward. Another emphatic “no” should go to those who try to keep Greek people hostages to the same labyrinthine bureaucracy of a corrupt state that stifles entrepreneurship and at the same time forces home foreclosures for a few euros owed to the tax office. To those public employees who take advantage of their position and steal the taxpayers’ money and the equally guilty who protect them. Or to those who instead of serving the public, act like the public pesters them. No to those who believe that schools and universities are the perfect place to recruit voters instead of knowledge institutes. To those who force their political agenda on others by repeatedly occupying schools and universities and don’t allow those who want to learn, go to class. To those who make university buildings look like landfills, like the School of Philosophy recently. Say no to those who promise us everything, knowing that they can give us nothing. To those who plundered public and EU develeopment funds and now they ask us to give the little that we have left to bail them out. To those who know that there are no money to do what they promise but insist that “there is money.” To those who own ten houses and have hundreds of thousands in the bank but pretend they feel for us, they are like us. To those who change political camp when they smell power and money on the other side of the fence. Those who have not worked a single day in their life but pretend that they care for the poor worker. Once we say no to all those Greeks who are directly or indirectly responsible for the current plight of Greece, then we can say no to any enemy who stands outside our borders ready to “invade.” Whether that enemy is the dubious IMF or the strict demands of Frau Merkel.
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