It is sometimes called the "cradle of Western Civilization", and it was once a thriving, democratic city-state known for its artistic, political and philosophical contributions. It gave us at least three great philosophers - Socrates, Pericles and Sophocles. However, according to the New York Times, the city of Athens is struggling to retain its positive image.In recent years, Athens has become a haven for human trafficking, drug wars and illegal immigrant gangs; this past August, it was the site of a brutal machete, sword and axe battle between two rival African drug cartels.
Immigrant violence and crime is chasing the native population out out of the city. As stated in the New York Times:
"According to a residents' group, dozens of people renting in the area have left their homes in the past year, and several stores have closed, chiefly small but long-established neighborhood conveniences like bakeries, hardware stores or delicatessens." (more)
Last year, around eighty thousand migrants left Asia and Northern Africa and crossed into Greece illegally. Some ventured further into the European Union; others settled in Athens and became involved in the criminal underworld as mafia hitmen or drug-running pawns. Drug gangs currently occupy the historic center of Athens and use their contacts in Afghanistan, Iraq and the African countries to operate in the EU.
The leftists in Greece argue that the connection between immigration and crime is a result of labor laws which prevent the hiring of illegals. Thus, the left wants the illegals to be integrated into Greek society "by any means necessary". Of course, this would only encourage more foreigners to try to enter the county illegally, which would push tensions between immigrant and native populations to the breaking point. But the left seems to ignore this fact, and the most important questions regarding illegal immigration and integration in Europe remain unanswered. For example:
- How many immigrants can Europe truly "integrate" without overburdening the native population?
- How much will it cost to teach tolerance, teach new languages, create accommodations for the foreign populations which come to Europe?
- How much longer until the influx of needy immigrants causes the average person to lose 50% of their salary to taxes which support the welfare system?
- How long until those paying into the social system start to feel that what they are financing is the replacement of their domestic culture-communities?
- How many native-born Europeans will find themselves out of work due to the immigrant-hiring policies which the Left wants?
- How many Greeks will die because the Left does not want the public to be forewarned about the dangers of opening the borders to immigrants?
