Abolishing ICI - and daycare April 4, 2006
Posted by dorigo in news, politics.1 comment so far
Yesterday a second match between Prodi and Berlusconi took place on the italian national network Rai 1. More boring than the first one, if possible, and not more eventful. But Berlusconi had an ace up his sleeve: at the very end of the program, he promised he will cancel the ICI - the tax on the first house one owns, which is due yearly to the italian comune (county) where one is resident.
An enticing proposal, really. Taxes on the first house cost owners more than a few hundred euros per year. The money goes to the counties, and it is one of the main sources of financing for them. By canceling that tax, we would be richer… But our county could not afford to pay for the daycare where we place our kids every day.
Of course, Berlusconi does not like a public system which grants everybody, regardless of census, a good daycare - almost free of charge - for their children. He would rather allow wealthier citizens to pay for a better private daycare, and less wealthy ones to pay for a children parking. That is his idea of how our country should be managed: more opportunities for the wealthiest, less taxes and services for all. A lean administration, really.
We have had for five years a prime minister that is the incarnation of the very concept of "doing one's own business". He has done it so well during these years in charge, that one wonders whether we should follow his example.
No, I do not wish to follow his example. I believe in a more just society, where people care for the common welfare as much as for their personal well-being.
