Weekend Economists Salute Ruin July 3-5, 2015

[Demeter]

“Ruin, eldest daughter of Zeus, she blinds us all, that fatal madness—she with those delicate feet of hers, never touching the earth, gliding over the heads of men to trap us all. She entangles one man, now another.”

“…and they limp and halt, they’re all wrinkled, drawn, they squint to the side, can’t look you in the eyes, and always bent on duty, trudging after Ruin, maddening, blinding Ruin. But Ruin is strong and swift—She outstrips them all by far, stealing a march, leaping over the whole wide earth to bring mankind to grief.”

― Homer, The Iliad

“This financial crisis in Europe would have left Greece in Ruins, but it’s been that way for 2,000 years.”

― Jarod Kintz, Who Moved My Choose?: An Amazing Way to Deal With Change by Deciding to Let Indecision Into Your Life

On this auspicious day (July 4) the Greeks are voting the issue of independence for themselves, their nation, their patrimony, and their future.

The Greeks, who taught the world "democracy," are doing it all over again, because too many people have been corrupted by greed and power, and have forgotten the lessons of 3000 years.

I wish I could boast that America, grateful for the lessons from ancient Greek thinkers which formed our Founding Fathers and our Founding Documents, is 100% behind the Greek effort, lending support both moral and substantial...but that would be a lie. America is in a fever-dream of greed and power and corruption. It barely recognizes Greece's existence, let alone its right to exist.

We live in interesting times--that ancient Chinese curse. We see history in the making, those of us who aren't glued to some commercial product of escape and fantasy. Our intrepid little band in this group seeks to know who, what, where, when and why. And How--how do we make Change? How do we further the Progress of Humanity towards those Greek ideals formulated so long ago:

Ancient Greek society was based on a devotion to the highest standards of excellence. This classical ideal of perfection was expressed through body, mind, form and spirit in Greek culture. From athletic prowess, the ancient Greeks sought the perfect body. Perfection of the mind was pursued through religion, philosophy and science. In sculpture and architecture, the perfect form was portrayed. Through comedies and tragedies, they found perfection of spirit. In every aspect of ancient Greek culture, could be found the classical ideal... http://scallion.hubpages.com/hub/The-Greek-Ideal

As we continue the search, let's reflect on history a bit: ancient history, recent history, history that might have been. Here's a first reflection to feed the thought:

“Call no man lucky until he is dead, but there have been moment of rare satisfaction in the often random and fragmented life of the radical freelance scribbler. I have lived to see Ronald Reagan called “a useful idiot for Kremlin propaganda” by his former idolators; to see the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union regarded with fear and suspicion by the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (which blacked out an interview with Miloš Forman broadcast live on Moscow TV); to see Mao Zedong relegated like a despot of antiquity. I have also had the extraordinary pleasure of revisiting countries—Greece, Spain, Zimbabwe, and others—that were dictatorships or colonies when first I saw them. Other mini-Reichs have melted like dew, often bringing exiled and imprisoned friends blinking modestly and honorably into the glare. E pur si muove—it still moves, all right.”

― Christopher Hitchens, Prepared for the Worst: Selected Essays and Minority Reports

So mote it be, once again.