Peter's Viewpoint

“Actual citizens getting to make decisions about their future instead of allowing technocrats and bankers to do it for them.” A comment from another reader of the NY Times.

Thinking that Prime Minister Papandreou is a statesman is a false interpretation of why he made his decision to put a referendum to the vote of the people after the fact.

In truth, the referendum is now looked upon favorably by EU members because Greece will be giving them the means to an end for either Greece’s participation in the Euro and/or the Euro zone itself.

In a discussion about how to interpret this referendum with other Americans, that being politically shrewd is the same as political blackmail, I supported the conclusion that no politician has the right to blackmail voters.

The latest news about Papandreou in my opinion is that he has decided to throw in the towel and give up.

Why do I say this?
He created the referendum to ask the Greek people to vote on whether or not they want to have and continue with the IMF and the EU loan backings.  This referendum is anti-democratic.  He is asking the question after the fact and either answer can lead to the bankruptcy of Greece.

If the people vote no then the country will officially become bankrupt.  If they vote yes, Papandreou already knows that he cannot achieve his proclaimed goals and therefore the country will go bankrupt.

So what's the difference?
Like any political action, assuming that he terrifies the people into voting yes, then when failure comes he will simply put the blame on the people.  In the event that they vote no, then once again he will simply put the blame on the people because then he would not continue his negotiations.

The real crutch of the Euro zone, the fact that it never initiated a way to cancel EU membership.  Funny enough, when the great EU plan was created, no one ever thought about having a way to kick another country out of the club.  No member can be legally kicked out and even if a member wants out, it must be agreed upon by all members.

The recent expression of joy by Sarkozy and Merkel appear to be a godsend provided by Papandreou with a way to expel Greece not only from the Euro but from the Euro zone completely.

My opinion is that Papandreou is a failure and wants out, and everyone here is trying to get him out before he brings the country and the rest of the western world into another crash.