L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 3 uted under public services. So every year, Veneto pays 20 billion more than what it gets back. But again, is not just about the money. The pro-indepen- dence movement has concerns on social and public health too as the progressive degrade for the quality of regional public ser- vices provided is worrisome. The activists have no doubt: if Veneto gets its autonomy from Italy, the region will be able to have a pos- itive income instead of a deficit that will allow to decrease taxes right away and improve the qual- ity of local services. The so craved political autono- my from Rome, Italy's capital city and 'money maker', had been brought up before through- out the years in Veneto and other northern regions, but it seemed to have faded away, maybe tem- porarily outshadowed by heavier scandals and bigger problems for Italy, but it is now back on the spotlight, stronger than ever. Venice's ex mayor, Massimo Cacciari defined the entire opera- tion "clowning" although posi- tive feedback is profusely spread- ing. The leader of the Five Star's movement — 2013 election win- ner of 25.6% of the vote for the Chamber of Deputies, Beppe Grillo, with his usual poignant style wrote about Italians: "What if tomorrow..[..]..they wouldn't feel anymore the necessity to live a nightmare where democracy disappeared, a 90 years old gen- tleman decides the country's des- tiny (i.e. Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano) and embarrassing pots and pans salesman (i.e. Over 2 millions of Italian citizens want out of Italy Italy celebrates unity in its diversity Continued from page 1 This month, despite autonomist and separatist claims from some regions, Italy proudly celebrated its 153 rd anniversary as a unified nation. But how does a country become a nation-state? In the 19 th century, Italy was divided into a number of independent states with different customs due to foreign dominations. Nevertheless, they shared a sense of community and belonging in terms of geographical borders, language – based on the Florentine dialect of the 14 th cen- tury used by Dante - and cultural values. This common identity dates back to the ancient Roman Empire, and has always been a distinguishing feature of the Italian people in contrast to our fellow Europeans. After the Napoleonic era, ideals of political and social transformation and independence spread all over the Peninsula, while feelings of patriotism began to rise within the popula- tion. With the Resurgence – a politi- cal and cultural movement that defines the Italian revolution against foreign rulers, mainly Austria - most of these states were unified to form the Kingdom of Italy, thanks to the accomplishments of leading figures like Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini, and Camillo Benso of Cavour. The year 1861 officially marks the Italian unification, when the new Parliament met in Turin and proclaimed Vittorio Emanuele of Sardinia first king of a unified Italy. And yet, it was only com- pleted de facto with the annexa- tion of Rome and the Papal State in 1871, and of the so-called unredeemed territories, such as Trento and Trieste, after World War I. In 2012, the Italian govern- ment established a public holi- day to commemorate the unifi- cation, with the main purpose of promoting the values of citizen- ship and common identity. The anniversary is celebrated throughout the country, and in Rome a solemn ceremony usual- ly takes place at the Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), the renowned marble monument honoring King Vittorio Emanuele. This year's celebration fea- tured the presence of Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic, who laid a wreath at the war memorial. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, City Mayor Ignazio Marino, and mili- tary representatives were also in attendance. As underscored by contempo- rary politicians and entrepre- neurs, this festivity should be an occasion to meditate upon the strength of the Italian people and the country's assets, in order to capitalize on the particularities of each region and boost the economic recovery. The deter- mination and sense of responsi- bility that in the past drove our forefathers to create such an out- standing nation must be an example not only for politicians, but for all Italians to revive the historic value of unity and regain our traditional spirit of initiative. SILVIA SIMONETTI President Giorgio Napolitano lays a wreath at the Altare della Patria Matteo Renzi) likes to play Prime Minister..[...]" a place where "taxes are a massacre and bureau- cracy pushes you to commit sui- cide or to escape abroad..[..]" What if, asks Grillo, "someone would get tired and said enough?" Veneto's governor Luca Zaia, who also voted in favor of "his" region's independence pointed out "this is not a 'real' referen- dum, it is rather a poll." Although, Zaia explained it should be an incentive to have the official project law proposal started. It might be just a poll, but it certainly brought the whole world to talk about Veneto inde- pendence's conquest wish. "Freedom" from a troubled country could be just a newly re- discovered dream, a vintage trend that comes back, probably always destined to clash with the Italian Constitution and its fifth article that says: "Republic is indivisi- ble". But if it's a country popula- tion's decision that makes a coun- try a unified nation, what hap- pens if part of the country popu- lation doesn't want to belong to that nation anymore? Independence has such antique roots when it comes to Venice and Venetians and suffocating bureaucracy, excessive taxation and the crumbling economy and politics of a tired country might be the icing. Regardless any speculations, given this referen- dum numbers it's hard to believe that absolutely nothing is going to happen. Flags with the lion of Saint Mark in Venice

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