Many stories have been written about the economic crisis in Greece and how it has affected the lives of its nationals . Most of these show their struggles and how they cope with reduced wages and pensions, and proposed layoffs in government, among others, in compliance with austerity measures being imposed by the troika. I have interviewed an employee who is underemployed and one who stands to lose her job if the position is removed due to streamlining.
Recently however, I met a professional who has not made major changes in her lifestyle in spite of the crisis. In fact, she has allowed my Filipino friend to live in her furnished flat. “So you must be part of the 1% wealthy Greeks,” I asked. “No, I am not part of the 1%,” she corrected me. “I am part of the 99% activists.”
Ms. Christie Macris who now lives in Greece was born in Caracas, Venezuela of Greek parents. She lived in New York for several years where she finished a degree in Psychology from the New York University. As a representative of the Bemer (Bio-Electro-Magnetic- Energy Regulation) Group in Greece and Cyprus, she continues to travel around the world.
Although she doesn’t seem to be in the league of the Greeks who are having difficult times today, Ms. Macris supports the issues being raised by the demonstrations and work stoppages. “We have to show the troika that they can’t take advantage of the Greeks,” she stressed.
She believes that 80% of the population want to return to the Drachma. “We are bankrupt but the troika doesn’t want us to leave the Euro because it would have a domino effect for the rest of Europe,” she added.
According to her, the middle class is disappearing. The rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. The politicians take the money to buy houses and real estate and deposit in banks outside the country. "The government is very corrupt,” Ms. Macris continued.
She complains about the extra taxes being imposed on them. In two years, 24 new taxes have been imposed. “This is too much. How are we going to pay for all these?” she asked.
I believe there are others like her who do not have to make significant adjustments in light of the current economic crisis. But I am sure they are one with the rest of the populace in seeing Greece overcome its difficulties.