tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949752.post4015268169766672744..comments2023-04-29T17:39:27.807+02:00Comments on Italian Economy Watch: You are independent of all logic Giulio Tremonti!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949752.post-60686535924870412762009-01-23T22:52:00.000+01:002009-01-23T22:52:00.000+01:00Speaking as an Italian, I strongly disagree with P...Speaking as an Italian, I strongly disagree with Prof. Roubini on one specific point: that “Italy and Italians deserve better”.<BR/><BR/>No, this government is exactly what this population deserves. It is an accurate mirror of Italian pettiness and sense of entitlement. It will keep us (them?) distracted through crisis and decadence with its loud squabbling and ineffective meddling, punctuated by drops of selfish charity marketed as serious stimuli. This is what was promised during electoral season, and this is what Italians chose with perfect awareness: some unwilling to make any effort for the better; some - having never heard of the prisoner’s dilemma - believing themselves to be voting for their own interests at the expense of some other social group; and a few even swallowing the package hook, line and sinker.<BR/><BR/>That the main political alternative in 2008 displayed a nearly identical level of corruption, incompetence, and masturbatory small-mindedness is a very weak excuse; the seeds of such an unbelievably awful ruling class have been sown over years, if not decades, of Italian selfishness and suicidal acquiescence. For my own little part, over the last few years I tried to support what small sparks of civilization could be found in this country, both at a local level and - through the Internet - at the national one. I saw those hopes fail, and will move to Sweden in eight months from now.<BR/><BR/>Italy remains a delightful place for spending money, and I would recommend it to anyone for their holidays, but there are few worse places for earning a honest day’s bread or building a family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3949752.post-3242250319168078262009-01-23T17:36:00.000+01:002009-01-23T17:36:00.000+01:00First off, congratulations on being paid to speak ...First off, congratulations on being paid to speak at such a prestigious conference.<BR/><BR/>Don't pay attention to what Tremonti said, as it's simply a combination of defensiveness, guilt, pride, pretentiousness and arrogance. It is not very becoming - and easy to see through. But, it's a behavior that is far too common in all levels of Italian life.<BR/><BR/>Yes, Italians rightly blame their politicians, but it's clear to me that the Italian people need to look in the mirror, and they will find the culprit. Italy is probably the most problematic country in the EU, and its citizens are to blame. It has such a combination of negative characteristics that it's a wonder that tourists continue to fall in love with it.<BR/><BR/>The fact is, Italian economic downsizing will continue, and asset prices are irrationally overvalued. Eventually, Italy will be choked into submission, but it will be a drawn out process, as Italians will attempt to hold onto every vestige of individual power they can.<BR/><BR/>The rest of the world would be wise to stay away from investment there, it will only delay the inevitable.<BR/><BR/>It's best to stay on the sidelines and watch this soap opera continue to unfold.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com