[mrighele]

> That's why I said that redistribution is OK in principle, but many feel that in Italy there's just too much of it.

While the amount is huge, that is not event the biggest issue. What people resent is _how_ that money is spent: public construction project meant mostly to funnel money to organized crime and companies of relatives of politicians; covering the bizarre expenses of the politicians; and the never ending legion of public employees that got a job in exchange of votes (but get paid without working much or at all). If you add the fact that southern Italy is where most of tax evasion and health-related fraud occurs, the feeling for many is not that they are paying to help the poorer, but that they are sweating so that others can live a comfortable life.

While it is not a black-white situation (there are also such issues in the North, and hard working people in the South), the difference is notable.