Pestilog

Magyar Vagyok Nem MSZP

I WILL BE POSTING PICTURES IN THIS ENTRY SOMETIME TODAY. GIVE ME MOMENT, MMM?

We walked down to parliament this afternoon. People are still gathering in front of the building, and Freedom Square has been held closed by the riot police since it was cleared out last night. It is pouring outside. Artyom mentioned that this is very bad weather for a revolution, but the people wespoke to all indicated that no weather would be enough to keep them from being present in the streets at this moment.

I spoke to one woman who was a secondary school teacher. She translated several of the signs and banners for us. She read the inscription "We are burying the Gyorcsani goverment! From here you will never come back!" from a large coffin that is on display in Kossuth Ter. Everyone wants the entire government to step down, not just the prime minister. She told us that Gyorcsani removed everyone in a ministry position when he was was elected last April, even though they were all of the communist persuasion. This woman said, "He brought all of his buddies into the government with him. On paper, we are ruled by communists. In reality, they are all billionaires."

A BBC reporter overheard this woman telling us about the political issues, and tried to interview her. He asked her what she thought was the thing that Hungarians are the MOST angry about. She immediately got very upset with him. "What are we angry about? This government is sucking the last drops of blood out of this country! You are from the BBC! You know exactly what is going on here." He then asked her if he could bring a camera over to conduct a proper interview. She faunched and said, "No, I am a teacher. I will lose my job tomorrow!" "Will that really happen?" asked Mr. BBC. She looked at him with a sneer and said "Don't be so ridiculous."

We were discussing all these new developments in one of my sociology classes this morning. Agi mentioned that taxes in Hungary are outrageous, and that near 50% of one's income goes straight to the government. Apparently, this prime minister made lots of promises about LOWERING taxes before he was elected to office. And he doesnt just mean "Read my lips: no new taxes." He means actually taking this massive burden off of business in Hungary. Apparently CEU has been in dire straights financially ever since they moved to Hungary, because they actually report wages and pay their faculty and staff honestly. This means that for every dollar that they actually put in the hands of their teachers as salary, there are nearly two more dollars that they must pay out in taxes and fees to the various loyal governments and regulatory bodies.

My professor is of the opinon that Gyorcsani will be forced to resign by the end of the day. I guess time will tell. And tell quickly.

posted by Veruka2 @ 3:51 PM