Dear Portugal,
I have been told that you are not Greece. If you read
the newspapers, most of your politicians are desperately trying to convince the
markets that you can borrow some money, as debt in your country would eventually
increase so that you were able to pay off salaries. In fact, here is no big
deal in avoiding bankruptcy since any argument could be used. However I cannot
feel relaxed with the news. By saying you are not like us, your governors are
completely ignoring the original purpose of the European Union: the creation of
a common development and a sense of community. Accusations should cease if you
would like to avoid a tense environment in which there could be second class European
citizens.
But none of these tabloids about us worries us as the
feeling that we may not be alone in our difficult situation. We are both
nations with a bright past, whatever it happened in antiquity or in the time of
the discoveries. Together, we did more for the of western civilization than all
the other countries combined: we began the priceless legacy of philosophy as
you widened European horizons through the five continents, so "that seas
unite and never separate", just like Pessoa wrote in one of the
most beautiful poems we have ever read.
Even so, the weight of a distant past will not be
enough to save our future. Your governors should look forward before establishing
comparisons to Greece because in a nearby future, you will be able to loose
your rights and be discriminated in the international scene, just like us. So
here comes our advice:
- Anarchy is not a solution. You will be tempted not
to pay bus tickets or motorway tolls but that will not work. Neither future
will be bright for you if you use violent ways of protest.
- Know your rights. List the things you would like to
change in your future, share ideas with your neighbors, unite and then fight
for it.
- Consider paying your off your debt, unlike us.
However, a debt audit would be required, so as to find out which part of the
debt is morally accepted. Some African countries did this a few decades ago,
with stunning results.
We hope you will be able to find your paths in the
future. But if bad luck strikes you, just count on our solidarity.
yours sincerely,
Greece
