The Greek public sector was, is, and as it seems will be for some time to come, a world champion in bureaucracy. With the responsibility of successive governments, including the current one, the civil service likes torturing citizens that are required to turn to them. The hassles and chaos experienced over recent days by those seeking to acquire a monthly card for unlimited mass transportation rides, is absolutely indicative of the quality of services offered and of the prevailing mentality among their political supervisors.
In the era of technological revolution and networks, the Greek state demands that citizens queue up for hours in order to obtain the card. Instead of instituting a simple and flexible procedure, instead of being able to submit their data via the internet and to receive the card either by mail or at predetermined pickup points, they are obliged to suffer trials and tribulations. Obviously all the other European countries that have opted for this procedure have not realized that the acquisition of a card is a matter of national import that requires a physical presence, perhaps so that authorities can check whether there might be a terrorist among them…
Although the supposed minister of digital policy may boast that we shall acquire a space service, he is unable to coordinate two services in order to make the daily life of citizens easier. We hear constant declarations and statements regarding the upgrading of digital services and new technologies, regarding the digital signature and cutting red tape, but instead we witness the scenes that we see at metro ticket booths.
In an era in which other countries, even those in worse straits than us, are running forward, we still continue to travel by pushcart. Common sense is nowhere to be found. The government and bureaucrats instead of thinking that they are there to serve citizens, believe that citizens are beasts of burden that must adjust to their antiquated ways.
