I don't believe some of these MP's... poor souls - an extra long coffee break because they have to be there to vote now.... If they're MP's they SHOULD BE THERE!


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» 2009-03-10 19:01

Fingerprint voting starts
System aims to stop MPs voting for colleagues
(ANSA) - Rome, March 10 - Italian MPs on Tuesday kicked off a new system of fingerprint ID voting aimed at stopping members from voting for colleagues.

The new system, in which MPs press their index fingers on a pad before voting, has been primed and ready to go for a vote on a Tibet rights motion Tuesday night.

Ten MPs have refused to sign up for the system, alleging intrusion of privacy, while seven have been exempted ''for technical reasons,'' lower house officials said.

The anti-fingerprinting diehards are holding out despite the incentive of a long coffee break to make up for the increased time they'll have to spend in parliament to vote for themselves.

The break, unveiled by Chamber of Deputies Speaker Ginafranco Fini last week, will last an hour a day and two hours on Wednesdays.

Voting for others - known as being a 'pianist' because the MP had to hold down two sets of voting keys - was a widespread practice condemned by successive governments.

Chicago politics has always allowed multi-voting including absentee ballots for the residents of our local cemeteries. We do have term limits however. Four consecutive terms and it's off to jail with you. Upon completion of their sentence they are then given a cushy patronage position. Cradle-to-Grave government...works for us!

It seems eons ago, but I had a patronage job with the Attorney General's office. Was pretty easy to get. Was on a boat fishing with my dad and some of his friends from Chicago. All I did was mention I was going to have to look for work after moving from Oregon to Illinois. Interestingly, eyes rolled, and the next day I received a call asking me if I would like a job with the State and the best part is the pay was more than I earned in my old job.

Patronage works!!!

lilbees

Three cheers for patronage. This guy Patrick Fitzgerald is making it tough on the Chicago crowd these days. Is it any different in Georgia?

I don't believe patronage is practiced here. At least I don't think so. But, in Oregon, absolutely not! I was amazed while living there (abt 30 yrs) how clean the state was, not only environmentally but politically. It was the jerks we sent to Washington that learned the game and got richer.

lilbees