The Italian way of politics.

The ballot. In  next week’s parliamentary election in Italy. Wow! It was posted on a concrete wall that I pass every day. And I thought about photographing it. But I’d have to invest in an expensive wide-angle lens. The ballot isn’t long. Instead, it’s wide. A column for each political party. And there are many, many of ‘em. Don’t know if I can count that high. Especially if I use the Italian language. Little wonder that a single party can’t corral a majority. Therefore, Italy has coalition governments. Two or more parties banding together. To form a government. Often in a tenuous manner. I’m pulling for a government made up of parties from the left. Maybe headed by a communist. Yes, a communist. Imagine that. Couldn’t happen in America. So despite the crazy-quilt political system in Italy, I’m a bit enamored by it all. To think that the prime minister might be a communist. An intelligent and astute politician. A guy named Pier Luigi Bersani. Indeed, something to savor. But then again, there’s no predicting Italians. Won’t surprise anyone if  buffoon Silvio Berlusconi and his conservative party gain control. Always a possibility that Berlusconi could become prime minister. For an incredible  fourth time. He’s an eccentric, outlandish billionaire. Which makes him attractive to Italians that want a comically  inefficient, but entertaining and corrupt head of state. –Jim Broede