The Voice of Treason

One of the first bits of news I heard this morning, as I was pouring coffee into a mug with Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa on it, was that Italy’s Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, had resigned. I happen to live in a part of the country where people say things like: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes — it’ll change.” Well, that’s always been the old joke about Italy. If you don’t like the government, wait five minutes — it’ll change. Truth be told, in Italy, Sunday dinner lasts longer than some political administrations. What made Berlusconi unusual is that he and his party are conservative, and he is — unlike other European leaders — openly friendly to America and our president. This is rare and appreciated. What can I, an ordinary American citizen, do to show my support of this man? Well, I guess it was a conscious choice to do whatever I could to support Italy’s economy. When there was a choice, I’d purchase the product made in Italy. I started with eyeglass frames. For some reason, frames made in Italy not only looked good, but they were made well and just felt so comfortable. This also applied to Italian shoes. Looked good, were well-made, and were just so comfortable. Then came ceramics. Beautifully painted bowls, pitchers, utensil holders. And then there were the skillets and kitchen gadgets. Again, they looked great but also felt great in the hand and seemed to stand up to abuse. They could take the heat, both on the stove and in the dishwasher. And then there was the food. Pasta, olive oil, condiments, cookies, candies, cakes — when there was a choice, I’d grab the package that said “Made in Italy.” Soon I was replacing domestic wine with Italian. Montepulciano di Abruzzo. Surely, I still have family in or around Abruzzo — maybe I was supporting relatives, too, somehow. And just as I was committed to buying my Italian products, Silvio Berlusconi — amidst constant criticism and pressure to change policy — stayed loyal to both his principles and America, and continued to support the war in Iraq. Like Tony Blair in Great Britain, he gets pummeled in the press and faces political ruin, but he sticks to what he believes is right. Berlusconi’s government was the longest lasting since World War II, but at just over 1400 days, the dream of the impossible (completing a five-year term in Italy) ended for the P.M. and me. Treason number five: Support your friends — whether they live across the street or across the ocean.

And I’m not talking about Westminster. Prepared to be in smoke-watch mode all week, I was both surprised and disappointed that the conclave didn’t drag this out a little longer, just to keep the world in suspense. Ever since John Paul II’s passing, I have been mesmerized by the amount of Latin on television. I’ve become addicted to the Litany of the Saints. (I tell you, I can listen to that all day long.) And now I’m a little down because now we have a new pope (who’s being accused of everything under the sun including being humorless, too old, uncharismatic, and a Nazi), and soon the Latin and the bells and the great shots of Rome will all be gone. But the good news is that Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, is often referred to as “God’s Rottweiler.” People are quick to associate the nickname with an aggressive breed of dog. I wasn’t too interested in Ratzinger until I heard the moniker. When I think of Rottweilers, I think of the Good Dog, Carl books. If you’re not familiar with this charming, beautifully illustrated series by Alexandra Day, I urge you to check it out. But the criticism of this new pope will no doubt continue. He’ll be compared to John Paul II and be accused of being a hardliner, inflexible and dismissive of those who seek to change the Church. What he offers is continuity, intellect, and respect for tradition. I urge the Catholic Church to stick to doctrine and just say no. No to female priests, no to married priests. This is America, for God’s sake! Pick up The Yellow Pages and choose a religion; in fact, go ahead and start your own! Treason number four: If you don’t agree with Catholicism, don’t be a Catholic!

The Tax Foundation determined that, this year, Tax Freedom Day fell on April 17. This means that Americans have spent more than three and a half months working to pay taxes, and now they can work the rest of the year to pay for other things. Like food, shelter, utilities, and vet bills. I remember when I was in high school, my stepfather would ask me if I knew what day it was. I’d hesitate, trying to remember if it was the anniversary of some treaty, naval disaster, or bombing. Then he’d say: “Today is Tax Freedom Day.” Knowing I still had several years of college ahead of me, full-time employment was somewhere in my future but by then someone would figure out this silly tax situation and it wouldn’t affect me. I felt bad for my stepfather, but I was a teenager so naturally I felt worse for myself…for no particular reason. To fully illustrate his point, he should have handed me a crisp twenty dollar bill when I came home with a perfect report card, then immediately asked for half of it back. Same with my allowance and cash gifts. Now that would have fostered some deep resentment of the system long before I entered the job market. Treason number three: Teach your children the value of money. If possible, train them to put a portion of their money into savings, then match it. Encourage them to donate to charity. Don’t be mysterious about finances; explain what you do for a living and how your income is spent. They need to know that financial independence is freedom.

John Edwards, a lawyer, says there are two Americas. Another lawyer, John Adams, said this: “There are two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live.” My Italian grandfather’s recipe for a good life was simple. He felt that all a person really needed was good food, a good mattress, and a good pair of shoes. I would add one thing. A good dog. (A good mattress should accommodate at least two good dogs.)

It appears that yet another mother has prostituted her child in order to enjoy some celebrity hospitality at The Neverland Ranch. And in Florida, another young girl is missing. A body has been found, and as this story unfolds, should we expect to discover that the suspect is a convicted sexual predator that had been shacking up with the young victim’s mother? Parents wring their hands, wondering how they’re going to protect their offspring from Internet perverts and strangers with candy; perhaps they should examine their homes first for perpetrators. Treason number two? Call these women what they are: Accessories…no, accomplices to the crime. Maybe when more of these “mothers” are prosecuted, women with children will start thinking with their brains.

Let’s take a moment to remember The Titanic. She hit that iceberg late at night on April 14, but officially sank three hours later on April 15. Which, coincidentally, is Tax Day. Treason number one: Reform the current tax code and abolish the IRS. Flat tax or Fair tax — whatever it is — just make it less complicated and allow me to keep more of my money. Can we do this in my lifetime? Or do we have to abolish public education first?