I want to become a politician. Where do I get the form?

[demoleft]

I was reading the posts in Madfloridian Journal about the clash between the governing class and the activists in the Democratic Party.

Something we know of in the Italian left, too. War, welfare and many other topics involved.

Then I turned the TV on to watch a debate between politicians, right and left wingers.
It was about governing and responsibility: a governing class, it was said, must have the courage to make even unpopular decisions for the Country’s welfare and development.

That’s a good principle. But what if “unpopular” starts meaning:
Something I didn't vote you for! And not what you said you would stand for!

I started thinking, basely!, on the costs of that “responsibility”.
All in all Deputies and Senators, governing class of my Party too, are working at my service because I sent them in Parliament to represent my positions.

How boring the figures! I know. Be kind to me and have a look.
To be “responsible” to my Country and make even “unpopular” and "courageous" decisions – e.g. on war, on welfare - Deputies in Italy get

5.486,58 euro monthly
4.003,11 euro monthly for the expenses in Rome
4.190 euro as reimburse for general expenses – managed via Party group one belongs to
3.098,74 euro as reimburse for telephone costs
Free cards for highway tolls, trains, sea travels and airplanes
Senators get almost the same, though some 1000 euro more for telephone costs.

1 euro = 1,3470 $
Yes, that much! Almost 17000 euro per month.

Activists don’t normally earn anything. They are too politicians in the literal sense, though not governing class: they are busy with the “polis”, the city or community they live in, and get involved in little struggles for justice and social equality. On-line, too.

Democracy has its costs. As they are pretty high – the Italian politicians are the best paid in Europe – activists have a right to expect from the governing class a bit more attention to their opinions.
Just not to let the formula “unpopular but necessary decision” become an alibi to betray the agreement between voter and representative. Parties without activists are simply voiceless and, for many, invisible.

This makes the difference between 0 euro and 17000 euro per month in Italy: to be responsible and representative.

And, softly told, as I am a collaborator in a Company that is almost lost at sea with contracts lasting 5 months and then God knows what, at 800 euro per month more than half of which are spent for my house rent –
is there a form to fill to pass from activist to politician?!
Responsibilities are very better paid in Parliament than in my little, quiet private life…

…(yes, the TV debate upset me!)

ciao!

[LiberalFighter]

1. Would that be just over $22,500 USD?

If so

DAMN

[demoleft]

3. yep!

can you imagine how do I feel when a left-wing "governing class" representative invokes "sacrifice" for the Country' sake?
:grr:

[Greyhound]

5. Not much more than we pay ours, and when you factor in the bennies

it is http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aa031200a.htm">almost comparable.

What I want to know is, are Italian politicians as cheaply bought as ours?

[LiberalFighter]

6. What I came up with didn't even include their benefits

Straight wages is over $270,000 USD a year. That is way more than what our Senators or Congress people make.

[demoleft]

8. some are...

...but many are not in need. Many in Parliament are doctors and lawyers or professors: it is enough for them to protect their categories and their privileges (tax evasion, no careers for young researchers, paralysed judicial systems, with trials lasting years and sometimes surviving parts and counterparts...). Lobbies, in a word. Thank you for the link!
ciao

[madfloridian]

2. Keep up the good posts....demoleft from Italy.

Here's a good example of what we are having to deal with.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1324

And here is a video with Dean if you are interested.

http://www.harbertv.com/index2.htm

The media here ignored totally his trips to Spain, Portugal, and Italy. It is just amazing.

[demoleft]

4. Very interesting...

...and partly true in Italy too - though we got out of Iraq.

The centre-left coalition received votes also for scheduling a retreat from Afghanistan. Then the foreseen Taliban offensive from southern territories and the still fragile government convinced our government to stay. But this was not what our "governing class" was asked to do! The more because we smell GAS business in the matter.

Kerrey's words reminded me (I don't know why!) of Colin Powell (look who?!) that released statements on IRAQ a couple of months ago - people who should stay away from microphones and cameras.

"I would say to Mr. Kerrey that any excuse is a good one when you just can't make stuff up anymore. When it's all falling down around you, any old excuse will do": that's perfectly said.

I'll have a look at Dean. He's really brilliant on TV: nothing of the kind in our democratic leaders in Italy, did I tell you? Our own are not able to be funny and serious at the same time. Media coverage on Dean? Alas, back to my post on the Internet: the only place where you can get an idea of the world today. A topic for democracy.

News 12 hours ago: our Foreign Minister D'Alema (DS) said on Afghanistan he was going to answer the Parliament, not Bush. If Bush has something to ask, says D'Alema, he can do that personally in a couple of days and not use the media to send messages to allies.

Finally words I want to hear.

[madfloridian]

7. Good for D'Alema

I am very upset with our party, and they have told Howard Dean to keep his place and not talk out too much...to take his cues from congress.

I hope he doesn't.

[demoleft]

9. I read the posts yesterday...

...almost all in anger with the DP.

I hope Dean doesn't step back from his views and program. It's incredible that now, with Bush at the lowest, the DP should divide.
Dean's views in Italy let us imagine a huge western wave of innovation and reforms possible in the interactivity between progressives in Europe and USA - a perspective for the next 20 years, a global one.

It would be dramatic if this chance would get lost.

I hope Dean makes it. Really.

Someone in the posts said it was possible that the neocon agenda passed over from Reps to Dems. Are neocons trying to find a way through the Democrats? Is that the reason why Dean is pushed at the outskirts of the Party?

Go on fighting, Madfloridian and Deaniacs. If so, go on fighting.