Syriza As The Weak Alternative Without Addendum – Essay

Can we expect any reflection of the “Syriza storm” from Greece on the area of neighborhood countries within South-East Europe: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo*, Macedonia, Albania?

The answer is complex: Maybe, but…

Why?

Because of the lack of an adequate education system in regards to advantages and disadvantages of socialism and/or capitalism (Communism, as the final stage of equality within the possible establishment of equality of humanity has never existed anywhere in the world, so no need to talk about that). There should be found a middle road to paradise. Or to hell? Who knows? The time will show, but…

Even in Greece, people voted “against”, instead of “for”. They have voted against the disaster of capitalism, without knowing what it is that Syriza, the radical left-wing party, will bring to them.

On this backdrop it would be good to review the original 40 points of Syriza’s program and possible realization of it within the area of South East Europe:

Audit of the public debt and renegotiation of interest due and suspension of payments until the economy has revived and growth and employment return.

Neo-liberalism has deeply occupied South-East Europe and public debt is near 100 billion euros and no visible government in any of the countries is an opponent to “Big brother” (IMF and others from European banking system).

Demand the European Union to change the role of the European Central Bank so that it finances States and programs of public investment.

There is power that is ready to do so for the area of South-East Europe.

Raise income tax to 75% for all incomes over 500,000 euros.

Exactly the same thing should be done for the area of South-East Europe where the transition period has brought to power at least 200 of the richest families within each country of SEE. But, who will do so?

Change the election laws to a proportional system.

Different election laws within the SEE request a different approach, but basically it should be focused on above mentioned, having in mind to implement the control of the elected candidates and parties after the election within the frame of the law.

Increase taxes on big companies to that of the European average.

Excellent idea that should be implemented on the SEE area. But, who will do so within SEE?

Adoption of a tax on financial transactions and a special tax on luxury goods.

By all means. Again,are the governments of SEE ready to do so?

Prohibition of speculative financial derivatives.

This would kill corruption and money laundering within the SEE, but who will do so?

Abolition of financial privileges for the Church and shipbuilding industry.

Excellent in regards to the abolition of financial privileges for the Church, and other religions based on SEE. But, having in mind the connection of the politics with religion in post-transition countries of the SEE, who will do so?

Combat the banks’ secret [measures] and the flight of capital abroad.

Find the way to do so as well within SEE area, but who will do so?

Cut drastically military expenditures.

Exactly the same for SEE.

Raise minimum salary to the pre-cut level, 750 euros per month.

Depending on the area of development of the country of SEE, raise at least up to 30 % of the current minimum salary per month. Who is ready to do so?

Use buildings of the government, banks and the Church for the homeless.

By all means, but also include extra areas of the richest within the area for the above purposes. But, who will do so?

Open dining rooms in public schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to children.

Having in mind how many children are hungry in SEE, exactly same thing should be done.

Free health benefits to the unemployed, homeless and those with low salaries.

Yes. Problem is, who will do so?

Subvention up to 30% of mortgage payments for poor families who cannot meet payments.

Yes, exactly the same thing for SEE, but first find the cause and fight against it.

Increase of subsidies for the unemployed. Increase social protection for one-parent families, the aged, disabled, and families with no income.

Yes, the same for SEE, but who will do so?

Fiscal reductions for goods of primary necessity.

Yes, the same for SEE, but who will do so?

Nationalization of banks.

Country of Iceland is an excellent example. Should be done, but who will do so in SEE?

Nationalization of ex-public (service & utilities) companies in strategic sectors for the growth of the country (railroads, airports, mail, water).

Yes, but how to do it and return back /into the future in SEE and who will do it?

Preference for renewable energy and defense of the environment.

By all means, but who will do it in SEE?

Equal salaries for men and women.

Yes, and should be the priority in SEE:

Limitation of precarious hiring and support for contracts for indeterminate time.

Yes, again “back into the future” for SEE and who will do it?

Extension of the protection of labor and salaries of part-time workers.

Yes, but how and who will do it?

Recovery of collective (labor) contracts.

Yes, and again “back to the future” needs a machine for that and who will do it within SEE?

Increase inspections of labor and requirements for companies making bids for public contracts.

This is killing corruption, but all countries of SEE are so corrupted that the question is who will do it?

Constitutional reforms to guarantee separation of Church and State and protection of the right to education, health care and the environment.

Underline this for SEE, but who will do it?

Referendums on treaties and other accords with Europe.

Yes, and should be very careful on this one in SEE.

Abolition of privileges for parliamentary deputies. Removal of special juridical protection for ministers and permission for the courts to proceed against members of the government.

Yes, exactly the same thing for SEE.

Demilitarization of the Coast Guard and anti-insurrectional special troops. Prohibition for police to wear masks or use fire arms during demonstrations. Change training courses for police so as to underline social themes such as immigration, drugs and social factors.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Guarantee human rights in immigrant detention centers.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Facilitate the reunion of immigrant families.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Depenalization of consumption of drugs in favor of battle against drug traffic. Increase funding for drug rehab centers.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Regulate the right of conscientious objection in draft laws.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Increase funding for public health up to the average European level.(The European average is 6% of GDP; in Greece 3%.)

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Elimination of payments by citizens for national health services.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Nationalization of private hospitals. Elimination of private participation in the national health system.

Yes, the same thing for SEE.

Withdrawal of Greek troops from Afghanistan and the Balkans. No Greek soldiers beyond our own borders.

No SEE soldiers beyond SEE countries borders

Abolition of military cooperation with Israel. Support for creation of a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders.

Yes, having in mind SEE’s problems with borders.

Negotiation of a stable accord with Turkey.

SEE must respect everything that is agreed between Greece and Turkey.

Closure of all foreign bases in Greece and withdrawal from NATO.

Stop arrangements like the establishment of NATO bases, if there is any, within SEE.

Of course, the question continues to rise and it is WHO IS CAPABLE TO DO SO WITHIN THE AREA OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPE?

That is why we have to go back and underline the following:

Unification of alternative left from all countries of SEE
Basic joint demands and supports on the pressure towards government of each country from SEE
Educational system which will lead toward internalization of thoughts instead nationalization (read: nationalism) of thoughts within each country of SEE

But, now the question is HOW it should be done?

EDUCATION of the people to vote “for”, instead of “against” through the unification of the will which will lead towards joint benefits of all and not for just a few. How? Through the ultimate (r)evolution of minds as soon as possible within the area of SEE.

Again, HOW?

If I know, I would not write this. Let’s brainstorm on this one. We can only gain, not loose. We already lost everything in the area of South-East Europe: from dignity and even up to a proper, human way of living.

The enemy is not “other and different”. The enemy is “Big Brother” who controls 90 % of the world wealth (and their number is less than 5% of population). Let us start to make it equal, at least. We will not take anything with us on the other side (being theist and/or atheist) We will go naked.

Is it better to “go”, after death, with a clear and honest mind, instead of a rotten and dirty one?

Regardless if we call it God, Buddha, Allah and any other name, like energy or…nothing.

So, let’s start thinking and working on it.

The longest trip starts with the first step.

Syriza have made it.

We are the addendum.

That can make even Syriza stronger.

Should we?