BERLUSCONI RESIGNS AS PM

ITALY BEGINS FORMING TRANSITIONAL
GOVERNMENT AFTER BERLUSCONI RESIGNS

voanews.com - Italy begins the process of forming a new government Sunday, with economist Mario Monti the front-runner to succeed Silvio Berlusconi, who resigned as prime minister Saturday under criticism of his handling of the country’s worsening debit crisis.  Italian president Giorgio Napolitano is due to meet with political leaders during the day to discuss the naming of a transitional prime minister to lead the country until the next elections, due by 2013.  Economist and former European Union Commissioner Mario Monti has received support from major opposition parties.  Italy’s next government faces the challenge of implementing a major austerity package approved by parliament in the past week to reduce the country’s huge public debt.  EU officials worry that the Italian economy is too big be rescued and fear that its demise would be a major blow to the euro.

Italian leaders were hoping to have a new government in place before financial markets open on Monday to reassure investors that Italy’s political system is stabilizing.  Mr. Berlusconi submitted his resignation to Mr. Napolitano late Saturday, hours after parliament gave final approval to the austerity package. The unpopular prime minister lost his parliamentary majority on Tuesday and pledged to resign as soon as lawmakers approved the reforms. Mr. Berlusconi had gradually lost the support of his governing coalition as Italy’s debt crisis worsened while he faced sex scandals and legal troubles.  The 75-year old outgoing leader has denied any wrongdoing.  Thousands of Italians opposed to Mr. Berlusconi gathered in the streets of Rome to celebrate his resignation, many cheering and shouting “buffoon!” The media tycoon served as prime minister for 10 of the past 17 years, winning his first of three terms in office in 1994.

Ending an era in Italian politics, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned Saturday.  To be sure, the sins of Berlusconi were many and varied. There were the endless sex scandals and corruption trials, allegations of Mafia involvement and entirely valid charges of conflict of interest because of his dual role as Italy’s biggest media mogul and head of government.  He took a bad situation - the sclerotic Italian economy - but he did not improve it, instead, he only enjoyed of many girls.  Most politicians and governors are living with the belief that sense gratification is the highest achievement.
 

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

We are pleasure seeking living entities. When we try to find pleasure in temporary objects that really have nothing to do with our true selves that is lust.  Gold and iron are both metal but they are very different.  Love and lust, the difference is when our propensity for pleasure is directed towards the needs of the soul, to our service to God, then we experience infinite pleasure in that love, but when that same propensity, the same need is misdirected on the basis of the illusion I am this body, I am this mind, towards the temporary objects of the senses it becomes lust.  Lust doesn’t simply mean the passion between man and woman, lust means the desire to enjoy.  On the gross plane it is enjoying through the five senses, the eyes, the ear, the nose, the tongue, the flesh. On the subtle level, lust means the desire for profit, adoration and distinction. It’s very dangerous.

Śrīla Radhanath Swami Mahārāja :
“Conquering The Greatest Enemy”
http://www.radhanathmaharaj.net/content/conquering-greatest-enemy-radhanath-swami
http://www.radhanath-swami.net/  -  http://radhanathswami.info/