Where there is no vision
In the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter 29, verse 18, we read “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Strictly speaking, from a Biblical perspective, the author of Proverbs is telling readers that without a proper understanding and right relationship with God, both leaders and their peoples go their own way, they become wayward, they live without restraint. The same word used here for “perish” is also used by the Hebrew writer explaining the incident with the golden calf in the Old Testament book of Exodus; Moses was up on Mt. Sinai talking with God, and his brother, Aaron, was left to be in charge of the Hebrew people camped below the mountain, having recently left bondage in Egypt. When the people grew tired of waiting for Moses, they told Aaron to make them an idol – in this case, the famed golden calf. When Moses finally came down the mountain – with the Ten Commandments – he saw that the people were without restraint – they had, in a sense, “perished.” And as Exodus records, the people “became a laughingstock to their enemies.”
In a way, I think this verse can point out the same truths among countries. Where there is no vision for a country or a nation, then the people of that country, that nation go their own way or every way, aimless, drifting, loose and without direction.
I believe that is the case today in Macedonia. Granted the “new” government of Macedonia would object to such a description saying “Well, we joined NATO and we will (checks notes) join the EU. Eventually.” And that first part is true. But there was an awful, terrible price to pay – the soul of the nation. The government promised that NATO membership would bring riches, prestige, and respect. Look around you. Are Macedonians better off, financially? Some are – generally those who support the government and Western internationals. But most are not. Does Macedonia have more prestige and respect? Again, perhaps some of those Western internationals will pat you on the head and say “good boy,” but they also know that because of the actions of some bad people here, all of Macedonia was forced to reject its name, identity, and much more. For what? These same Western internationals know and understand that anyone who rejects his or her own name and identity is not truly worthy of respect.
Now let’s get to the EU part of their “vision.” The EU, the US Department of State, and to a lesser extent, NATO, all want Macedonia to give into Bulgaria’s ridiculous demands and sell what is left of Macedonia’s pride to join an organization that may not even be around in ten or 20 years, or at least will be fundamentally different. And remember: both Greece and Bulgaria will be asking for more concessions with the opening – and closing – of each of the 30 plus chapters of the EU acquis Communautaire, and if Macedonia does not agree to those demands, then no EU membership.
The Macedonian government’s “vision” for Macedonia consists entirely of giving away Macedonia’s name, identity, history, culture and much more to neighboring states. Oh, and opening new malls and then closing all other shops on Sundays benefitting only Ali Ahmeti and his ilk. A country never gets rich opening shopping malls.
I would argue, no, the previous Zaev/Ahmeti government and the current Kovachevski/Ahmeti government have no real vision for Macedonia. If they did, they would be focusing on real needs and real attempts to address those needs: a functioning rule of law and private property rights, zero tolerance for corruption, a more attentive focus on health care and the needs of children in education, a zealous pursuit of foreign direct investment, and more. But instead, they agree to put the rest of Macedonia up for sale to Bulgaria in an attempt to abase themselves – and all Macedonians – further in their pursuit of EU membership.
There is some hope – some of the newly elected mayors and city councils are addressing real needs at the level of not just cities, but neighborhoods, in other words, at the smallest level – road maintenance, garbage issues, parking, minor disputes, and one thousand “small” issues that nevertheless have a daily impact on the lives of citizens. So this is good news. There are some visions out there.
But when the leadership of the country is pursuing utopian things – “Yes, we will solve climate change in the next ten years and we will commit Macedonia to getting rid of coal and everyone will have a windmill or solar panel” – and forgetting or ignoring the “smaller” issues, then it is no wonder Macedonia seems to be twisting in the wind, aimless, hopeless. If you doubt me, look at the polling on how Macedonians feel about the direction of Macedonia.
Macedonia is not going to collapse. Not everyone will leave. In fact, I know some who have come back to make a life here. And I see forward-looking visions, not only among some of these new mayors and city councils, but among individual men and women in business, in education, in healthcare, in the arts and more. I see them with a vision for what they are responsible for, beginning first and foremost with their families. I see new and exciting things happening – good things; but you have to look to find them and you have to take a step back and look at the bigger picture – even though the government has no vision, many of the people do and these visions, when combined, should help Macedonia – and Macedonians – thrive, even while we wait for leaders at the national level who actually do have a good, and positive, vision for Macedonia.