Behind the scenes of Politics in Paradise

(it's not all pasta and polenta you know!)

January 25, 2012

Enzo takes up his position

We have been in Italy for a little over one year and our move from America was due to the recommendations of Enzo's doctors.  They advised that to better manage Enzo's longterm health he should consider living in familiar surroundings, surrounded by familiar people.  It took us no time at all to make the decision to move to Italy, the place of his birth, a place that he loves and his true home. 

Since the day he was told he had dementia, Enzo has done nothing but fight back and we are determined to enable Enzo's life to be a continuing positive path for as long as we are able.  So the 10th anniversary of 9/11 held in Rome last year, the day that Enzo met the Honorable Amato Berardi, was a fateful one.

		Enzo was subsequently invited to visit Congressman Berardi at the Parliamentary buildings in Rome where he wandered around the hallowed halls and offices of Italian politics, met with Ambassadors, Mayors, Senators and Congressman. Today (with a little help) Enzo is a volunteer member of the PDL, the Italian equivalent of the Republican party.  He has been putting on a suit and tie to make his way into Rome since November and although he has got lost on a number of occasions, has forgotten his phone on many occasions and missed the train home more often that we can count, Enzo is proving that there is life after dementia.  Enzo, is also proving to be quite the inspirational character too and is being called upon by this college and that university to give talks.  Enzo tells how each of us are the only ones who can truly make a difference and that you cannot wait for opportunities to come to you, you must venture forth and find your own destiny.  And furthermore Enzo lives by this every single day.

When Enzo is eventually sitting over his evening dinner, it's here that he attempts to tell me all about his day.  It has become very clear that there is a great deal going on behind the scenes on an average day in Italian politics.  So we thought you might like to take a peep. Like the time when:

• Members of the security team and managers of the building in which Congressman Berardi has his office, went on strike.  This resulted in difficulty for invited visitors trying to enter the offices, and everyone had to pass by the ever-filling ashtray-stand at the door which after a few days was spilling over onto the floor, along with the rubbish bins all over the building.

• The photocopier ran out of paper and it was discovered that the budget just didn't run to a ream or half. In fact in barely stretches to the ink required for the photocopier either.

• The Government budget cuts resulted in the loss of an office.  Where once there were three, there was now two.

• The Government budget cuts resulted in the loss of an office. Where once there were two, there was now one and political business today is often conducted in a local coffee bar or restaurant.

• The Goverment budget cuts resulted in moving the contents of three offices into small one which is totally inadequate for accommodating staff let alone welcoming visitors.

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Yes, the average day in the life of a politian and their staff is not always a smooth one. And did you know that thousands of emails are received every day to many of the Senators and Congressman. Congressman Berardi in particular, expects each of the mails to be read, dealt with and followed up:

• A lady couldn't get a response from her Italian Congressman so approached and got help from Amato Berardi.

• The copious amounts of people who require help and advice about visas.

• The endless string of businesses old and new who are looking to expand and are in need of direction.

• Those people who receive a parking tickets all over Paradise and don't know who or how to pay.

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All this as well as putting the world to rights, preparing charitable events and wondering what tie to wear with this shirt, Enzo has his hands and briefcase full (he has to keep a lot of notes).  Speaking of charitable events, we are now in possession of a film made and transmitted worldwide by RAI, to all potential Italian viewers, about the Thanksgiving event that Enzo helped to organise on behalf of Congressman Berardi for Sant'Egidio.  Enzo tells me that it is very nice and for now I'll take his word for it. Every new day is a new adventure for Enzo. He may not be functioning on all brain cells but one thing is for sure, we can all look around and find those amongst us determined that things 'can't' be done.  We're here to demonstrate that everything is possible and for now you'll have to excuse us.  We are preparing a weekend trip to Positano where we're meeting with a local Mayor and Bob Borski, an ex-congressman from Pennsylvania who's visiting the area.

Of course, we are at the mercy of the present Italian transport strikes and a shortage of gas for the car at the moment. So while Italy stands still, the world around around it continues to turn and Congressman Borski will arrive into Rome on Friday.

"Enzo, do you know anyone with a bipartisan horse and buggy??!"