Taking things into our hands... and make miracle happen for someone out there.

An Englishman, Thom Feeney raised ~2 million euro in just over week in a crowd-funding campaign to help Greeks pay back the IMF tranche due last week.
The 2 million came from all over; much from the two countries least likely: Germany and the UK!


Thom said he acted because politicians are delaying on all sides, because Europeans are largely generous people and because the Greek people need help. Since those in power fail to do it, the people have to do it by themselves...

This is what "by the people for the people" mean: "I may not like your politicians (or mine) but I can distinguish between them and you. And in punishing them, I am condemning you -- I don't want that."

Feeney's last point - or the gist of it - is gaining a lot of ground lately. Either that or I am seeing things.

Let's for a moment, assume that it is; what could it mean?

For one, politicians are seen as slow, indecisive, and ineffective. And, more importantly that people can step in. Effectively, bypass politicians and do it yourself.

This is a major change: until now we have people demonstrating in order to draw politicians' attention to their will. Politicians oblige by ignoring everyone until time is ripe for elections; and the sage continued.

Maybe the role of politicians has to change; in many countries politicians are proving poor in addressing everyday problems. They often are less than efficient in the grand scheme of things as well...

Maybe it is the power of the internet in weaving the global community.

I think it is certain that people have come to realise that many of today's politicians fall short as exponents of collective feeling, preferences, and choices.
Politicians' egos play a major role in any negotiating game - sidelining the content of the discussion.

Further, let's think of what our average (european) politician often is: a communicative person - sales rep profile - with a proven background in social speaking or union activism or political involvement as a student. The party then chooses him her to play a leading role - i.e. promotes that person to sales director or CEO position. Then campaign managers and image makers hone the ex sales rep into a product that can sell to the voters.

In other words, the primary skills set required of a politicians is his her capacity to get elected. Then, of course, comes persuasiveness. And then, I presume, comes discipline: i.e. to tow the party line.

None of the above is bad per se and some politicians probably do not fit the stereotype either; but most do. Case in point: in Greece the PM told people that voting "no" to a referendum is equivalent to voting for democracy, voting no to oppression, for self-respect etc. This guideline had nothing to do with the official content of that referendum, but that did not stop politicians from supporting it or criticising it, accordingly. While this is an extreme example of demagogy, similar examples of context and content shifting and communication exploitation  exist elsewhere as well:  just not as exacerbated nor as extreme.


So in the face of this why not do as Thom did: bypass politicians rather than confront them.


It is great to take initiative rather than expect it from others and it is good to have people collectively agree and act together.
The word together gives hope to everyone: I am not alone, I can help another I can make a miracle happen for someone else.