I'm banking on Fabio's generation.

Fabio Desogus is a member of the city council in Carbonia. The Sardinian city where I lived this winter. With my Italian true love. She served as translator when I interviewed Fabio. To learn, among other things, how the city of 30,000 inhabitants is run. Yes, administered. Unlike many American cities, Carbonia is administered entirely by elected officials. The top official is the elected mayor. And just below him are eight elected 'assessors,' what one might call division or department bosses. These are the nine people that have the authority to make all of the key decisions. The city council has an additional 40 elected members. But they only have the authority to make proposals. Submitted to the mayor and the assessors, which include Fabio. He's head of the department of theater/arts and sports/recreation. He a heady, cultured fella. Only 34. And what I like most about him -- he's a leftist. A liberal. A member of the communist party. My kind of politician. Actually, Carbonia has a history of being a haven for socialists and communists. They're respected by the local population. Carbonia's main street is Via Gramsci, named after Antonia Gramsci, a communist persecuted by Mussolini in the 1930s. I'm very comfortable with Carbonia's political and social climate. Chances are it's gonna be Fabio's generation that decides the future of Italy in the next 20 years or so. And I sense they'll do a reasonably good job of it. Maybe because of their socialist leanings. Fabio is disenchanted with politics in Italy. And with the multiple political parties. The national government is run by a coalition. Parties banding together. In precarious relationships/alliances. Fabio said many young people would like to see the formation of a new political party. One that might muster broad support. The nucleus for such a party might be young people. The ones that see a need to shape a future with hope. With new ideals. Hope is something almost totally lacking among Italy's poor and middle class. Much like in America, Italy's national politics have been run by big corporations and rich people. By greedy capitalists. Fabio's generation doesn't like it. And my guess is they'll do something about it. Something dramatic. Maybe even a revolution. Hope I'm around to see it. --Jim Broede