This is a translation of a chain email that is circulating among Italians interested in politics. The original is in Italian and recipients are asked to pass it on. The text is actually an abbreviated version of a longer piece and the original source is noted here after the emailer's final punch line. (The unabridged and considerably longer version is also currently circulating)
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE!
The Head of the Government tarnished his reputation repeatedly during his career, and should have deserved not only the condemnation of honest people, but also he should have been shamed and any authority to govern should have been removed. Why did people tolerate and even applaud his crimes? On the one hand there is a moral indifference, on the other a certain shrewdness and a self interest. The majority of Italians were aware of his criminal activity but preferred to endorse and vote for a strong person rather than an honourable one. Unfortunately Italians had to choose between duty and self interest, and even though they know what their duty should be, they choose for selfish reasons. Therefore a mediocre and coarse man with eloquent and ...



