Politicians avoid austerity, Italy enraged

The Sacramento Bee reports:

Millions of Italians face tough sacrifices from an austerity package passed last week to stave off a financial crisis. But the country's rulers don't seem prepared to abandon La Dolce Vita.

The euro70 billion ($100 billion) package does not entail any significant reduction in the wages, perks and privileges of Italy's notoriously bloated, handsomely paid political elite, despite repeated promises such cuts would be carried out.