Sir, – What are the Greek protesters indignant about? Is it anything to do with their government having borrowed money to fund, among other things, ludicrously generous retirement packages for state employees, and a political gravy train? Is it related to the fact that this has apparently been done without engaging seriously with the bothersome tasks of keeping accounts, collecting taxes or promoting a competitive business culture? Isn’t this what the Greek people voted for?
If it isn’t, and they are indignant after having found out how incompetently their country has been run, why are they protesting against the austerity measures which are the inevitable first step towards restoring some sort of relationship with reality?
Isn’t it exactly what they should be demanding of themselves, perhaps recalling Spartan ideals as they do so?
Greece is said to be the place where the ideals of democracy began to take root in the human mind. Perhaps there now exists an opportunity for Greece to show the rest of the world how to deal responsibly with the consequences of getting what you wish for. Or will they spurn the help being offered, and make everyone else pay for it? – Yours, etc,