Based on the data of the second TNH/GPO poll, the September 20 election’s outcome remains uncertain.
A lot can happen in the remaining days, for sure.
The important thing is: who will be prime minister in what will likely be a coalition government of two or more parties? And what kind of quality leaders will they be? Will they be capable, competent, and resolute?
Two notable points about the poll: first, that while former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras thought the election would be a walk in the park for him, due to lack of any formidable opponent, now he is struggling to get elected.
Second, although Evangelos Meimarakis took over a New Democracy party in free fall mode, to the surprise of many he has lifted it, and himself, to a point where he might actually claim victory in the elections.
Both phenomena point to the great changes that can happen over a short period of time in dire economic times and with elections hanging in the balance.
As one might expect, TNH, being a Greek-American newspaper, included two questions regarding our community vis-à-vis Greece. To the first, a staggering 94.3% responded that young Greeks in Greece should be taught the history of Greeks abroad.
Why would that be so important? First, to create a bond in this globalized world between the Hellenes in the homeland and their brethren abroad. To the extent, that is, that we here in the United States speak to our own children about Greece – which is constantly.
Second, so that Greece’s young Greeks can learn from the example of Greeks abroad, who succeeded on their own: not by being handed a cushy public sector job, but who stood on their own feet and in many cases achieved miracles. To understand, then, the sweetness, satisfaction, and sense of community one experiences from entrepreneurship.
Greeks, who persist in their love for Greece, believe in family values and religion, and are proud of their origin. This is why this particular question is significant.
The second question was whether they believe that Greek-Americans are positive in their defense of Greek interests here in the U.S. Again, the answer was yes by a very high majority: 73.8%.
That answer is important for all of us here. For quite some time now, the perception was a negative one concerning Greek-Americans’ defense of Greece’s interests. That assessment was based on their failure to understand that our acts are voluntary, undertaken with fervor, and love for the ancestral homeland.
The problems in achieving resolution stem from a lack of leadership or coordination with a fixed agent from Greece – as is the case, for example, with Cyprus and Israel.
Nonetheless, it is the Greek-Americans who intervene at the White House and in Congress in Greece’s interests. Who open the doors of power to Greek envoys.
Those in Greece protest that we don’t have a solution to their problems, but they don’t understand that such solutions must be embraced by third parties. Others must also be motivated in order to solve problems.
For example, one cannot expect American bases to be removed from Greece and at the same time protest that the U.S. government lacks understanding.
But public opinion is what counts, above all. On that basis, we have an even greater responsibility.
Any Greek government, such as the upcoming one, should utilize us Greek-Americans.
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