Boycott of Elections

I don't think that it is any surprise, despite major denial, that there is in fact organized crime going on in Italy, especially in the south and that they have strong ties to major politicians including allegations against current Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. However, Southern Italian citizens are trying to get local politicians to step up and challenge the uprooting of organized crime or they will boycott the upcoming local elections in Campania and 12 other regions of southern Italy. According to Bishop Antonio Ribaldi Italians "need to start being braver about burning the bridges that connect us with those people, who often try to pass themselves off as devoted Catholics." Bishop Ribaldi also adds that the hearts and minds of Italian youth are being waged in the classroom, which has recently suffered due to major budget cuts. "Its up to the state and public schools to debunk the myth that organized crime robs from the rich and gives to the poor," states Ribaldi, "Thats the message the mafia sends and if the social services in place aren't capable of providing an alternative than southern Italy has no future."

On a personal note, while I was in Italy I spent the majority of my mornings reading the newspaper to understand the politics and issues facing Italy, and I can honestly say that the Italian citizens are terrified of the Mafia and regularly keep tabs on where the Mafia is known to be.