This phrase has a variety of sources, but is most identifiable to Americans as the found words of Patrick Henry, quickly becoming a cliche tenet of Americana. It stuck out to me, first, because it was in English, but also because of the “2012.” To whom does this truism speak right now, and what does it say?

I’m very interested in the vaguely intuitive sense of socialism that Greeks seem to have. Professor Vasen told us a story about how he was stuck on an island with a student once, and we asked what if there hadn’t been any hotel. He told us that one of the people in the town would have taken us in because “that’s just how they are.” I don’t think that would happen in America.

By the same token, the metro system here is weird. Payment is an honor system deal. Forgive me for being a cynic, but I’m going to bet that most people don’t pay. They claim that there are occasional checks, but I have no idea how that could ever happen. So, it seems that people have just somewhat taken this on as a free service.

As Americans, we tend to have the notion that not having is a result of not doing, and so what we have is entirely fair because it’s a result of what we do or have done. Greece seems to be nicer than that (more caring?). The idea seems to be that, if you have no job, you still need to get around. So, what is the use of closing the metro off to you? Maybe the hope is that those who can pay for it wil, and those who cannot won’t, which you can derisively call a welfare state or approvingly call humanity. That’s clearly not working out too well, with the whole massive financial crisis and everything, but whatevs.

It seems to boil down to whether the best thing for the group is for every man to be out for himself, or for everyone to look out for everyone. Greece and America seem to be at odds, with Greece, ironically, more accurately described by the statement, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall.” Sometimes I wish America were more like Greece, but, at the same time, I’m really glad we have a stable currency and everything.

We’ve started a joke that there should be a Foreign Leader Exchange Program, wherein Americans teach Greeks about accounting and organization, and Greeks come to America to tell us to chill out and take a nap from 1-3, like the rest of the Western world.

Maybe.

– Sean.