Why would anyone care what Italy is doing?
Italy is a beautiful country that has done a tremendous job preserving its history and antiquities. Hubby and I have visited Italy five times, have spent almost a total of 4 months there.
A typical middle class Italian family lives the same or lower standard of living that the working poor (and even welfare lifers) live in the U.S.: extremely small homes, usually no yards, no air conditioners or clothes dryers, most can’t afford cars, etc.
It’s a fabulous “life in the slow lane” place to visit, but I would not want to be stuck living there all the time.