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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/27/grillo-vote-says-modern-politics
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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| What Grillo vote says about modern politics | What Grillo vote says about modern politics |
| (7 days later) | |
| If, according to Simon Jenkins (Italy's voters may yet shake the whole European system, 27 February), the vote for Beppe Grillo's "wildcat populism" in Italy is to be understood as a "fuck off" to the political class and, by extension, the established order, surely it's not just reciprocation that's long overdue but entirely justified too. Politicians and parliaments, sometimes in barely concealed collusion with pernicious corporate interests, seem to have been engaged in a collective "fuck you" to electorates for years. Take the UK alone. Illegal war predicated on a lie, banking collapse and corruption, MPs' expenses abuse, a feral press with connections at the highest level of government and now food contamination for profit – the list is as long as it is depressing. If it takes an act of comedy to force us to stand up and confront this tragedy that passes for democracy, then so be it. Colin Montgomery Edinburgh | If, according to Simon Jenkins (Italy's voters may yet shake the whole European system, 27 February), the vote for Beppe Grillo's "wildcat populism" in Italy is to be understood as a "fuck off" to the political class and, by extension, the established order, surely it's not just reciprocation that's long overdue but entirely justified too. Politicians and parliaments, sometimes in barely concealed collusion with pernicious corporate interests, seem to have been engaged in a collective "fuck you" to electorates for years. Take the UK alone. Illegal war predicated on a lie, banking collapse and corruption, MPs' expenses abuse, a feral press with connections at the highest level of government and now food contamination for profit – the list is as long as it is depressing. If it takes an act of comedy to force us to stand up and confront this tragedy that passes for democracy, then so be it. Colin Montgomery Edinburgh |
| • I challenge the assertion that Beppe Grillo's Five Star Movement poses an alternative to the dogma of austerity. Following the ex-comedian's friendly televised meeting with the fascist CasaPound group, his calls for trade unions to be "wiped out", and his complaints about migrant communities settling in Italy, it should be obvious that the large M5S vote is small-minded and defeatist, rather than some new voice of hope for the working class and poor. Italy may be driving in the wrong direction, but this "fuck everything" demagogue trying to grasp at the steering wheel does no favours to those on the receiving end of austerity. David Broder Rome, Italy | • I challenge the assertion that Beppe Grillo's Five Star Movement poses an alternative to the dogma of austerity. Following the ex-comedian's friendly televised meeting with the fascist CasaPound group, his calls for trade unions to be "wiped out", and his complaints about migrant communities settling in Italy, it should be obvious that the large M5S vote is small-minded and defeatist, rather than some new voice of hope for the working class and poor. Italy may be driving in the wrong direction, but this "fuck everything" demagogue trying to grasp at the steering wheel does no favours to those on the receiving end of austerity. David Broder Rome, Italy |
| • While I've "got" that a meteor crashing into Brussels would be regarded by Jenkins as a not wholly unfortunate event, is he really saying that, in the middle of the biggest economic crisis in living memory, the fact that more than 50% of Italian voters have given the thumbs-up to one of two clowns is a good thing? Jim McDermott Woodford Halse, Northamptonshire | • While I've "got" that a meteor crashing into Brussels would be regarded by Jenkins as a not wholly unfortunate event, is he really saying that, in the middle of the biggest economic crisis in living memory, the fact that more than 50% of Italian voters have given the thumbs-up to one of two clowns is a good thing? Jim McDermott Woodford Halse, Northamptonshire |
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