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| Name: |
MrHodja
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| Subject: |
An Interesting Conversation
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Date:
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6/30/2009 6:06:20 PM
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Hound had asked before what the International community thought of our current direction. Since arriving in Italy on the 8th of June I have heard little conversation about Obama. However, I did get an earful the other day from a senior Italian Navy Lieutenant (O-3) about Italy and the situation it is in.
Interesting points:
Once a person hires on to a job, that person is entitled to and expects that job until he or she retires - about age 60 with a retirement income of about 80%.
The pay for that job is set. It makes no difference whether that person is a barn-burner or dolt, the pay is the same.
Health care is provided equally to a tax-paying Italian citizen and a Libyan illegal immigrant who managed to sneak into the country - without question - funded by the Italian taxpayer.
Speaking of taxes, the Value Added Tax (VAT), akin to our sales tax, is 20%.
And, by the way, the average Italian pays 40-45% of their income in income tax - with no deductions allowed. How many Americans pay that much?
The Lt's wife, with an advanced degree, is an Italian to Spanish translator, yet makes the same money as one of the Lt's sailors. No additional pay comes with the additional degree.
When I asked why there were eight "guards" standing around the base gate, yet none seemed the least bit interested in the security of the facility, he said that they were entitled to their jobs for life.
When I asked why they still relied on paper authorizations to enter the base instead of a computerized system he replied "if they automated where would the people work? They wouldn't be expected to have to compete for a job.
All the while, filth abounds on the base, within plain sight of the folks "guarding" the gate - yet they don't lift a hand to clean it up.
Don't get me wrong, I really like the Italian people. As people they are wonderful and friendly. But their governmental system, with its emphasis on entitlements, absolutely deters innovation, incentive, and productivity.
I fear that we are headed in that same direction.
Nasreddin Hodja
From Lerici, Italy
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
An Interesting Conversation
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Date:
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6/30/2009 7:01:00 PM
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Hope you have a safe trip home. Those trips can wear you out.
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| Name: |
Talullahhound
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| Subject: |
An Interesting Conversation
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Date:
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6/30/2009 8:00:50 PM
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It is interesting. When the motivation to excel is taken away, people don't put forth the extra effort. I've not been to Italy, but I've seen it in other places.
Those tax rates are scary.
On the other hand, a woman I know who was German by birth, but lived in America most of her life, got Lukemia. She moved back to Germany to live with family, but was able to go to Italy to get a life-saving bone marrow experimental treatment, that American insurance companies would not pay for. After that, she had a mandated (and paid for) rehab in a German facility. Because of the treatment in Italy, she has extended her life 5 years past her expected life expectancy.
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| Name: |
water_watcher
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| Subject: |
An Interesting Conversation
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Date:
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7/1/2009 11:24:46 AM
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I have seen some of what you outlined in South Korea. Every gas station has attendants, no one can pump gas themselves. You go in a parking garage and there are people at every turn to point you to an available space. You go in a bank and no one stands in line, you take a seat and someone brings you your number and when it come up you go to that teller .... and they offer you a soft drink or coffee that they bring you while you are waiting.
The same goes for business offices. Where they have girls to bring you tea when ever you want.
It is unbelivable customer service that does spoil you. But much of it is mandated by the government. I do not think the entitlement mentality is there. The person can be fired, but the job stays and someone else is hired in to it. The factories are as clean and efficient as I have ever seen. All the employees where uniforms, since image is a huge part of the disapline they require in the workforce.
The same goes for school ... all the children wear the same uniform, school is year long and is a full day.
They still have a 2 year military requirement for all males. They can do their duty anytime after age 18, but up to 25.
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