[nkkollaw]

> there's little to no evidence yet of any exodus of highly skilled workforces

Like I mentioned, I'm speaking from what I read and a few friends living there. My friends all left because of uncertainty (all of them are programmers).

> Mario Monti it isn't willing to impose a free market in service in the same way it has for goods - and stand up to blatant protectionism

It's not protectionism, it's corruption and/or mafia. The government is ruled by companies (much like that of the US), and the mafia. Only when you realize this the initiatives they take (or don't take) start to make sense.