Berlusconi

[Mikeyboy]

catso said:

The thing is that there are lots of old men like Silvio in Italy and lots more that aspire to be like him.

I used to work in Italy and most of the senior management of the company I worked at (and others I was in contact with) were like him; wealthy, power hungry, dirty old men who appreciated the finer things in life and saw it as their duty to avoid paying taxes whilst keeping a mistress (or two) on the side.

Anyone that has spent any time in Italy will know at least one 'Silvio' yet despite the traits mentioned above they are usually very likeable characters in their own roguish way.

Stereotype he maybe but stereotypes are there for a a reason.

I'm sure there are less 'Silvios' in the newer generations but these old men would have voted for Berlusconi...

It sounds like a massive generalisation but it is the major problem of the Southern European econmoies, though some like Spain are a little better at paying taxes.
Mostly though the money is held by an elite of baby boomers and a lot of major companies are family run holding the money in very few hands.

[Trommel]

Discussions progressing nicely in the Italian parliament:

[Frankeh]

It seemed like he was never going to back down.

[Digga]

Trommel said:

Discussions progressing nicely in the Italian parliament:

Like watching monkeys fking a football.

The whole economy is in meltdown and they have a pantomime about someone's missus being a bit of a bike.

[Frankeh]

Could not be any more Italian if they tried.

[Digga]

Frankeh said:

Could not be any more Italian if they tried.

Helps if you imagine at least one of the onlookers is picking someone's pocket.

[DonkeyApple]

Digga said:

Frankeh said:

Could not be any more Italian if they tried.

Helps if you imagine at least one of the onlookers is picking someone's pocket.

That'll be the chap centre back then.

Like a true professional he is doing it with his eyes shut.

[hornetrider]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/silvio-b...

Crikey! What no brown envelopes?

[Frankeh]

e135,000 for this?!

[Victor McDade]

Guess who's back?

[cayman-black]

Victor McDade said:

Guess who's back?

Well for this week any way.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Victor McDade said:

Surely he must be due for arrest under Operation Witch-Hunt?

[jmorgan]

He has to pop his clogs on the job.

[SPS]

You get what you pay (allegedly BRIBE) for!
Gone from being prosecuted for all kinds of things to back into "the thick of it".
Sounds a bit like our Tone!!!

[Lost_BMW]

I'm only surprised that he didn't pop over here and apply for one of the Police Commissioner gravy bowls.

[Silver]

I heard this today. Does he actually think he'd get re-elected?

[Mr_B]

Hang on a mo, last bit of news on him was he was going to jail for some time. How does he go from going in jail, to appeal and back to running as PM ?

[Lost_BMW]

Mr_B said:

Hang on a mo, last bit of news on him was he was going to jail for some time. How does he go from going in jail, to appeal and back to running as PM ?

This is Italy we're talking about!

[catso]

Silver said:

I heard this today. Does he actually think he'd get re-elected?

Yes, he probably does and maybe will. He only needs to make promises to cut unpopular taxes or give some other similar radical 'benefits' for all.

I wouldn't be surprised...

[Mr_B]

Lost_BMW said:

Mr_B said:

Hang on a mo, last bit of news on him was he was going to jail for some time. How does he go from going in jail, to appeal and back to running as PM ?

This is Italy we're talking about!

Amazing. Just a couple of months ago, the debate was how long, if any, of his time would he serve. It then goes all quite and now he wants to run again.