From the Publisher
Posted by estiator at 16 January, at 13 : 29 PM Print
It’d Be Better If They Just Left Us Alone!
THE problem of granting Greek expats voting privileges is much more serious and complicated that everyone is imagine, supporting, promising or demanding these as a “right”.
While it’s true that this is a Constitutional provision, its authors do not specify who “Greeks” living abroad are. Is this status limited to those born in Greece, or does it extend to their children, who were born in other countries? Will voting rights be granted to their children as well? If the answer is yes, then everyone living outside of Greece (first- and secondgeneration) will be entitled.
A recent statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of the conservative New Democracy party, that voting rights must be given to “Greeks living abroad” does not clarify things. If he would have said that all those born in Greece and now living abroad without being citizen of another country should enjoy this “right”, it would’ve helped this discussion. However, even in this case, voting rights for all living in the U.S. are completely useless, since the overwhelming majority of first-generation Greek-Americans have pledged the oath of allegiance to the U.S. and vote here. This keeps us from playing both sides of the table. In the past, Americans who would vote in a foreign land would lose their U.S. citizenship.
As we have repeatedly noted, it would be better if the political parties in Greece would just leave us alone. They’d be better off seeing how they can fight terrorism, crime and corruption and get the nation out of the terrible economic condition that they’ve led it.
And we, as well, have no right meddling in Greek politics, by supporting one party or the other. Nor is it right for Greek-Americans who are as far as 5,000 miles away from the realities of life in Greece to influence the outcome of the vote with a few of their ballots, thus altering the popular mandate. Partisanship will lead to division. That’s why it is imperative that the Greek-American community remain united. This is the only way it can be useful to our ancestral homeland.
P.S MAKRIAS
The Oath of Allegiance
The Oath of Allegiance taking by all who become citizens of the United States:
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”
Promotions at Estiator
THE PUBLISHER of Estiator announced that his daughter, Stephanie Makrias, was promoted to company Vice-President and Managing Editor of the magazine, effective January 1st.
Stephanie has been a staff Editor for Estiator for the past eight years. In addition, she has extensive experience as a Copy Editor at Lady’s Home Journal and Harper’s Bazaar, and as Chief Copy Editor at Vogue, Ο (Oprah Magazine), and Entrepreneur. She holds a degree in English Literature.
Mr. Makrias also announced that Vicky Tsavalias was promoted to Associate Publisher, effective January 1st. Vicky has served as Production and Advertising Director for the past eleven years, and will retain these duties. She holds degrees in Programming, Visual Arts, Photography, Design, and Cinematography.
