Sunday's Referendum in Greece

by Stephen Lendman

On the one hand, plebiscites reflect democracy in action - provided the will of the people becomes policy. On the other, governments serving all its citizens equitably and fairly don't need referendums to confirm policies in place most people support.

Modern Greece has been ruled by generals or political leaders serving vested interests, not popular ones. SYRIZA proved it's no different from the rest - promising one thing, doing another. If hardline governance replaces it in snap elections, its officials have themselves to blame.

On Sunday, Greeks are asked to vote up or down on whether to accept or reject greater Troika demanded austerity in return for bailout help - in convoluted language perhaps leaving many people unsure which to choose.

At the same time, Prime Minister Tsipras urged Greeks to reject Troika demands he largely supports - by policies already instituted and other he proposed. Whether his duplicity along with capital controls tilt the balance to "yes" supporters remains to be seen.

Polls are volatile with three days to go before voting. Some give "yes" backers a slight edge over "no" ones. An Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper one conducted from June 28 - 30 showed "no" supporters decisively ahead by a 54% to 33% margin.

Respondents polled before the announced bank holiday and capital controls showed 57% against Troika demands v. 30% for them (a nearly two-to-one majority). Others polled after announced new mandates opposed its bailout terms by a 46% to 37% margin.

Why would ordinary Greeks suffering hugely under neoliberal harshness support more of what they oppose just to remain in the euro system harming their well-being and futures greatly?

SYRIZA betrayed them by pledging no Grexit instead of explaining the cost of remaining part of a hugely exploitive system doomed to eventual demise.

Democracy is absent where it originated. Whichever way Greeks vote Sunday won't change things. Not as long as their political system serves monied interests, not theirs.

Nonviolent revolution is their only solution. Business as usual assures everything they oppose - no matter which political party or coalition government rules.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.