People would say you look weak if you're not cursing the opposition and driving around in a big black car while always wearing a tie. Above all, to be 'strong' you're always supposed to be giving orders. George Papandreou More Quotes by George Papandreou More Quotes From George Papandreou When I was growing up in the United States and Sweden, I never thought about becoming a politician. George Papandreou sweden growing-up becoming Politics also means educating people. It's important to speak openly with our fellow Greeks, to tell them what our problems are and that we have to change something. George Papandreou greek mean people I am proud of being a Greek of the diaspora. George Papandreou diaspora proud greek I never thought of politics as a profession. George Papandreou profession I never thought about becoming a politician. But during the military dictatorship, my grandfather was put in prison six times and my father twice. If my family and my country didn't have this history, I might be a professor somewhere today. George Papandreou military country father There are certain moments in the history of a nation when the choices made define the decades to come. George Papandreou choices-made certain moments I would say we are a friend in need and I am sure that the Greek people would very much welcome the choice of the British people to come and enjoy Greece, first of all, but also that would be a sign of support. George Papandreou support choices people Many people have been pontificating, and patronizing, and moralizing, and scapegoating, saying you Greeks, you are the problem. I would say we Greeks have a problem. We are not the problem. George Papandreou problem greek people Markets are saying pretty much what I'm saying too: that Greece is doing what it can, but that Greece is not going to be able to carry the weight of all of Europe and the other problems that Europe has. George Papandreou able weight europe We in Europe have great capacities. George Papandreou capacity europe The Marshall Plan was after destruction, and the U.S. came to our help and obviously this was very, very important for the future of Europe. I think now we have all the capabilities of doing it on our own and, in a sense, we have to. George Papandreou important europe thinking Very often, people will come out and say, 'Greeks aren't doing things, Greeks aren't making changes, there's no reform,' That is hogwash. We have made a huge effort. The Greek people have made a huge effort. George Papandreou effort greek people We Greeks want change. We know there are problems in our system. We have great potential but we need to manage our country well. Now that hasn't been done over the last decades. And that is, of course, what we are paying for. George Papandreou greek country needs We have made major reforms in Greece. When I took over after a landslide victory we had a mandate for change and I knew my major focus would be re-organizing the state. George Papandreou victory focus would-be You can theorise about the options you have but in reality they are very specific. George Papandreou reality It's time for the next big step of the progressive forces in the country, it's time to build, together, a new political home that will house our progressive values, the values ??that unite us. George Papandreou world Unfortunately, corruption is widespread in government agencies and public enterprises. Our political system promotes nepotism and wasting money. This has undermined our legal system and confidence in the functioning of the state. One of the consequences is that many citizens don't pay their taxes. George Papandreou legal confidence corruption money We're very proud to be part of the eurozone. But this comes with obligations and it is crucial we show the world we can live up to those obligations. George Papandreou show live proud world If we had a consensus we wouldn't have to go to a referendum. George Papandreou referendum had go consensus We are on a difficult course, on a new Odyssey for Greece, but we know the road to Ithaca and have charted the waters. George Papandreou road new know difficult
