Peter, Governments of rich western nations may bow to private interests and corporations but at least their people are not overun by garbage; people make living wages; shopkeepers are not paying monthly fees to organized crime; people go to hospitals knowing that they will come out alive; people are not abused by bureaucracy; corruption is nowhere near the level of corruption existing in Italy; Elderlies and infirm people can count on decent care; pensioners don't have to steal to survive, workers go to work knowing they will go home alive; parliaments are not infested with convicted crooks and most of all I ask you, where, where is the nation with its richest man, owners of most newspapers and most TV stations that is allowed to become Prime Minister? That legislated laws favoring his business activities? That allows rich people to evade taxes? That increased his profits, while Prime Minister, by huge margins while many Italians don't have the money to eat at the end of the month? Or where is the country whose Prime Minister mocks the poor by telling them to marry rich? Or mocks them again by making promises that he, Mr. Berlusconi, will give a house to every family in Italy? Or accuses his political rivals of being stalinists while he allies with sworn fascists, mafiosi and people who want to separate the north of Italy from the south. Peter, do you now know of any other country like Italy? I certainly don't.

The Governments of all the rich western nations now bow to the vested interests of the financial and business sector.
Just look at the current financial crisis caused by banks who rashly speculated with other people's money. The institutions who have sought to avoid any regulation are now being bailed out by the taxpayer and charging customers higher interest rates so they can recoup their losses.
The privatization of energy and utility companies and toll roads has transferred assets which are of strategic national importance to the private sector - even foreign controlled companies - allowing them to rake in ever increasing profits from consumers who have little choice but to pay up.
Consider the tax saving proposals offered by Governments. They all require handing over your money to managed financial structures created by, and for, accountants, lawyers and tax advisors and operated by large financial institutions.
Why have Governments allowed so many tax havens in Europe - and the world - to operate?
At least Germany has taken a step to bring an end to the scandal of tax evasion by the wealthy.
A Mr Tobin in the USA thought of imposing a tax on financial transactions as a means of reducing debt and poverty in the World's poorest nations.
Nothing has been done.
Unfortunately our political leaders are now no more than Celebrities, being seen on TV and in the "people" magazines. Stories of corruption emerge on an almost daily basis. They have lost our respect. They are more interested in a free trip to Beijing for the Olympics or being seen at sporting events than doing the job for which they were elected.

Judging from most letters sent to the Grillo's blog it seems that most writers have one thing in common - the sad state of Italian society. For many years I have been wondering if I was perhaps out of step in my assessment of this sickness and it has been quite inspirational to read that most Italians who live out of Italy and have been exposed to more normal societies have a similar view. If perhaps I felt alone with my views I am pretty chuffed that my analysis was correct.
When even your own flesh and blood (the family) residents of Italy practice the Italian game of "FURBIZIA" on you as if to prove how much cleaver they are in conparison to you not knowing that their behaviour is purely disgusting in the grander scheeme of things.
Thank you Beppe for allowing such divergent thinking to blossom.
And a heartfelt greeting to all those Italians that have seen the light.

Great!

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE TO TIME

I vote for Beppe Grillo http://www.beppegrillo.it/english.php in a country where half of the media is run by the State and the other half run by Berlusconi Italians are being denied free, objective and impartial information. This blog is the only place where you can find transparancy of information and the true state of affairs in Italy

Thanks Beppe! Voted! Thanks for this banner and all was done for Tibet !

The Prodi government just passed a very good and very wise law.

This new law requires a detailed description and contextual certification of all technical installations in buildings.

It applies to everything, from the water system to the chimney, from the electrical wiring to the alarm and the doorbell.

Everything needs to be described in detailed by someone who has the authority and certified.

It is really wonderful. For those who certify.

For owners, it means losing lots of money and in some cases making it preferable not to rent at all. Good luck to aspiring tenants--this makes it just more difficult to get a place and probably even more costly.

I would expect Veltroni to top that. He needs to show he has more imagination than that.

All the proud new owners who bought at peak price and are seeing their mortgage payments go up are surely looking forward to more ideas like this!

:)

Compliments! and I hope more and more people will follow you

Marco,

The same rhime is good with VeltrONI, which is the same as BerluscONI.

This is fitting: either way...

International Herald Tribune:

Despite calls for new faces, Italy's politics is dominated by usual suspects

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/08/europe/EU-GEN-Italy-Breaking-the-Caste.php

As was said before, you should have pulled the crappy translation of 'slitty eyes', now they've copied that in the "sample post" and you look like some neo-fascist shock-jock to american eyes. Shoot your translator!

A "ten" is what you deserve. Once again, I must congratulate myself with Mr. Beppe Grillo. May you continue on this path, a path that leads to freedom, intelligence and, most important of all, integrity and hope.

great job Beppe!!!

Guys- anyone interested in politics/presidential race should definitely check out http://www.savagepolitics.com
Their articles are like nothing I have read in any of the current media outlets. It is brilliant writing plus it offers a great community in which to discuss. The editor actually takes time to answer and the political humor section is awesome!!!

Check out the article “We are the puppets”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://savagepolitics.com/?p=271

With so many daily italian crap, something to be proud of! VOTED (10).
Thank You beppe. (a chi vota berlusconi gli cadono i coglioni)
Marco from Sydney