By: Dr Stane Granda
J. E. Krek: “Poverty is slavery.” When we gained independence in 1991, Slovenians achieved the greatest milestone in our history. Only now, as we witness the tragedy in Ukraine, can we truly appreciate what we accomplished. We faced the fourth-strongest European army and nearly all of Europe, led by the United States. We succeeded thanks to capable leaders, with Jože Pučnik at the forefront.
However, despite the greatness of our independence, we cannot claim it was complete. You are not free if you have nothing to live on, if you must beg, if you are dependent on social welfare! We have not resolved the social problem, which was further complicated by nearly half a century of communist rule. We had a “people’s government”, “social ownership” – everything was “ours” – and even “self-management”. We supposedly governed ourselves. Only part of these slogans was ever true. The majority had their brains thoroughly washed. Due to a lack of freedom, we were intoxicated by these slogans, which were nothing but demagoguery and blatant lies. The current Prime Minister, who belonged to a privileged family during that era, was deeply influenced by it. Even today, he speaks as if we are perfect, as if everyone envies us for having him in power. In reality, others mock us so much that we are not invited to any serious meetings. Empty phrases and lies are symbols of totalitarianism, not democracy.
The social question is burning in all societies. There is no perfect solution – least of all in communism, which is a state-institutionalised deception and theft, backed by Leninist-Stalinist violence. Such a regime would never have existed if lying had been banned for just five minutes. They are such masters of deceit that they even believe their own lies – and steal even more as a result. This is their understanding of progress and progressivism. They are protected by ideological police and the judiciary.
The social question in our society concerns workers, farmers, pensioners, and, within these groups, especially those in need of public assistance. The issue of workers is addressed with mere crumbs from the rich man’s table and by importing desperate people from exotic countries. A harsh awakening awaits them when they realise how they have been deceived with disgracefully low wages. Farmers have practically disappeared or ended up among pensioners and those in need of social care. The army of the poor and helpless, particularly among pensioners, is rapidly growing. This is due, in large part, to the measures of the current government, which will be permanently recorded in Slovenian history – not only for equating lies with truth but primarily for worsening the situation of society’s most vulnerable. Among them, the number of energy-poor individuals is increasing. This is the result of a leftist government that always exploits social issues for power grabs. The social conditions in former “socialist” states prove daily that oligarchy is the highest stage of communism – especially in Slovenia, which was one of the most Stalinist regimes in every aspect. The post-war massacres, comparable only to Leninist-Stalinist Russia, stand as proof. The essence of Bolshevism is spiritual, social, and physical destruction. Under communism, morality prevailed – not the issue of workers’ rights.
Addressing the social question – where pensions must take priority due to the shortness of life – requires immediate action. It is a complex issue. We must start with the human being as the highest value, not capital. Solutions must be found on multiple levels, not without sacrifices. The price of food cannot be the same or higher than in Germany, where wages are four times higher. Domestic energy must not be treated as a market commodity. Production costs must be acknowledged, not international market prices. Selling electricity cheaply abroad and buying it back at market rates is theft. Unfortunately, many interpret economic liberalism in a very Marxist way. Economic liberalism has never been the same as the communist perception of capitalism, which places the economy above human beings – as if it exists for its own sake. The economy exists for the people, not the other way around. Various cafés and other establishments that promote and spread such nonsense are nothing more than moral cesspools, “photo-pubs” of the economy.
If we succeeded in gaining independence, we must now resolve the tragic social legacy of communism. This is a necessary and crucial step toward the decommunization of Slovenia. Since we do not have a pension fund, the system can only rely on solidarity. This makes it easier, as there are no previous obligations. Referencing our past contributions as a justification for pension claims is proof of a sick mind.
