Syriza distorts reality. It does this mainly in two ways: a) Through language and b) Through the law. Specifically:

A) In language, it distorts the meaning of words. When we speak of “the meaning of words,” it means that with the same words we must understand the same, or roughly the same, things. Otherwise, we cannot communicate.

Language is the most important instrument of communication. Every word has a meaning. And thank God the Greek language is so rich that every word - every content of the word - precisely identifies what it designates.

However, Syriza uses language, the words, for ideological reasons. It systematically and consciously changes the meaning of words in order to achieve ideological goals. But this makes human communication harder. Many people get confused, since they do not know or doubt the real meaning of words.

One example is enough. The word “junta” has become a candy word for Syriza. Anything it does not like is a junta. Anyone who is right-wing is a junta supporter. It even brands the current government as a junta. In this way, Syriza distorts the real meaning of the word “junta.” Thus, some citizens, who do not have the proper education, are unable to distinguish junta from non-junta, authoritarianism from democracy.

This tactic is a conscious choice by Syriza to cover up its poverty and its inability to articulate political speech with arguments. It wants the concept of “junta” to become diluted, so that left-wing authoritarianism can be presented as democratic.

B) In the law, it distorts the content and application of the law. And this happens, on the one hand, by questioning or changing the real content of the law, and on the other hand, by questioning or invoking its selective application.

The law regulates social relations, common coexistence. It is a conquest of civilization. And what must not be forgotten is that in democracies the law operates in favor of the weak.

When some people violate the law, they violate social relations, the rules of social coexistence. And when the law is violated by organized groups, small or large, the danger is greater, because the essence of social coexistence is challenged. In this way, one group can easily turn against another and society can end up being: a war of all against all (“Bellum omnium contra omnes”) or every human being considering another human being a wolf (“Homo hominis lupus”). Do we like this society?

The law - every law - applies against all. Syriza, again for ideological reasons, invokes the selective application of the law. It did this recently by demanding the “preferential treatment” of the murderer Koufontinas. In this way, it offended not only the victims, but all Greeks.

Why did Syriza show so much eagerness for a serial killer? Does it realize what damage it causes to society when it invokes selective application of the law? Moreover, can a party considered democratic caress terrorists?

The law also provides for the punishment of those who violate the law - every law. The judge, when called upon to judge, does not act arbitrarily. He acts as the law provides. Yet when it comes to decisions with “political” content (e.g. decisions with political benefits), parties judge court decisions by their own “party” standards. And if they do not like a decision, they start howling.

Still, impunity for some for certain violations of laws (e.g. occupations) only does harm. Not only does it dull citizens' sense of justice, but it also creates feelings of bitterness and injustice among citizens who apply the laws. In addition, citizens who apply the laws are rightly outraged by the violators, but also by each government that passes laws but does not enforce them.

Of course, to be fair, the distortion of reality is not only Syriza's privilege. Unfortunately, it is the privilege of the entire left. It is one of the left's timeless forms of propaganda.

Paulos Marantos

marantosp@gmail.com