Ciao Roses,
Then you understand. In Italian forums we expect crazy people, tough talk, sarcasm. I used to go to the Unità forum to start debates. Not even they kicked me out for calling them followers of a murderous ideology.
I was ready for insult and robust opinion, but terribly shocked to be kicked out without a warning.
In Italy we call Romano Prodi "Mortadella" (a type of baloney). The man is unsupportable, always mumbling altar boy style homilies.
Silvio Berlusconi is okay, Fini is better
But Italy is a different world. In the past we've had fallen governments for months and the people didn't even notice. In fact it was better.
The fundamental difference I think is that you are citizens and we, like most Europeans are still subjects.
You can get angry with the California Governor and kick the man out and then elect a Schwarzenegger, we just sit and suffer. And of course for us a body builder can only be a body builder, an actor only an actor. Your past success instead of being a plus, is placed before you like an obstacle.
Doesn't make sense? In Italy it does unfortunately.
Democracy American style is very good and precious. It's like the difference between football and soccer. In football you plan (both attack and defense) and you do or try to do... In soccer, besides the fact that you are not allowed to use the most useful part of your body (unless you're feeling sexy), some you can do, some you seize the occasion and some you wait for events to happen.
Ciao