The question is, can we still say that this is our land? Or has it long been someone else's? Can we take it back? And how?
The answer is clear. This is our country, and we will fight for it to the last atom of strength. At the moment, it is a little bit ours and a little bit more alien, but we will not abandon it and we will not stop until we raise the pillars on which a sovereign and strong Montenegro will stand again. We have an obligation and a duty, because remaining silent is not in the manner of Montenegrins. Many follow the path of least resistance. Many say: "Shut up, don't hold grudges, you never know when someone might be good for you, don't create enemies around you." Because of this kind of thinking, we have come to a situation where our house has collapsed from the inside. All because of the compromise and silence of the vast majority of citizens.
Cause of Be quiet and don't hold a grudge. We have the phenomenon of negative selection, where key positions are not filled by the most professional and honest, but by suitable and obedient personnel from political parties, often without competence and vision for the development of the country. Be quiet and don't hold a grudge. - that's what we were taught for years. While we remained silent, bad economic decisions were made, the state went into debt without a plan, domestic production slowly withered, and we became too dependent on imports and foreign capital. We didn't ask ourselves how we came to depend on others for what we could produce ourselves. We didn't ask ourselves why money was pouring into the pockets of the privileged, while the common man was barely making ends meet.
Be quiet and don't hold a grudge. because it doesn't matter that party and private interests have been put ahead of state interests for years. This is how nepotism, corruption and clientelism emerged - a network in which all those who wanted to survive in this system found themselves. Those who were not part of the game were left on the sidelines, while jobs were distributed according to party directives, not according to knowledge and abilities.
Many political actors, instead of working in the interest of the people and the state, served - and still serve - the interests of others. National interest and sovereignty were often neglected for the sake of personal gain, while Montenegro was slowly but surely pushed into dependence on other people's decisions. Thus, the dignity of the state, its international position and the little trust that citizens had in institutions were eroded.
And those institutions? The ones that should be the pillars of a legal and democratic state, the ones that should protect citizens? They have been systematically destroyed, one by one, until they have become tools in the hands of political power. Instead of judging according to the law, they judge according to orders. Instead of protecting justice, they protect the interests of those who control them.
Overemployment in the public sector, driven by party agreements rather than the real needs of the state, has for years increased public spending and hindered economic development. The private sector has suffocated under the pressure of unfair competition and bad economic decisions, while individuals have amassed wealth at the expense of the entire state.
Meanwhile, disrespect for the Constitution has become commonplace. The rule of law, instead of being the foundation of a stable society, has become something that exists only on paper. The rules apply to some, but not to others. Laws are applied selectively, and responsibility is always shifted to someone else.
And for how long? How much longer do we have to remain silent?
Shut up and don't hold a grudge???
Because of all this, today we have a government that constantly compares itself with the past, instead of looking forward and building the future. It is easy to be better than the bad, it is easy to improve something that has been systematically destroyed for years. The question is whether you are better when you think about it a little more. However, it is not enough for citizens to just compare the government with the previous one - they need concrete results, courageous decisions and a clear vision of the development of the state, free from past mistakes and bad practices, and not a continuation of the same.
Because of all of the above, it is necessary to build three pillars that will preserve Montenegro! Three pillars that will represent freedom, equality and brotherhood. Only on these values can Montenegro be preserved!
The first pillar is Spirit of the country, which is based on our glorious history, identity and values that we inherited from our ancestors. From history we draw WISDOM, experience and strength to fight for the future, not forgetting those who died for freedom before us. Our history is not just a story, it is a lesson and inspiration, a reminder that no generation had the right to waste what the previous ones created and defended with blood. The state is not just a mere administrative apparatus - it is a living idea, a sense of belonging and an awareness of who we are and where we are going. If we lose the spirit of the state, we will also lose Montenegro.
The second pillar is Constitution of Montenegro, which gives us a legal framework, stability and STRENGTH. Constitutional patriotism should be the obligation of every citizen to protect and respect state institutions, laws and sovereignty of Montenegro. Respect for the Constitution ensures justice, stability and equality for all citizens, regardless of political, religious and national differences. Our Montenegro must be legally regulated, a country in which institutions will work in the interests of citizens, and not in the interests of political and financial powerful people. Violation of the Constitution, abuse of power and the collapse of institutions lead to anarchy and the disappearance of the state. That is why the fight for constitutional order is a fight for Montenegro.
The third pillar is Ecology adorned with BEAUTY. To build these pillars, the will of the people and the rule of law are needed, and this can only be achieved through serious political reforms. Reforming politics means restoring its purpose - serving the people, not interest groups. Changes must start at the local level, because each of us can change our environment and thus contribute to the common good. There is no strong state without strong citizens, without people who are ready to defend justice, to fight for institutions and not to allow their fate to be in the hands of irresponsible individuals and false patriots.
Wisdom is needed to use the coming power wisely. Power to implement changes, but also Beauty to build a state that is not only functional but also dignified, harmonious and proud. Just as a master artist adds the finishing touches to his masterpieces with a brushstroke, so too must we shape Montenegro as a country in which future generations will live with pride and security.
May it be eternal, because masterpieces are eternal!
The author is an economist
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