View from Monastery Chapel Window
UNDERSTANDING PIZZAONIA
For Americans, Pizzaonians are difficult to understand - they are from an alternate universe. Parallels from a world or U.S. perspective are difficult to find. Most of us, including Worldonians,* try to understand people and events from the context of their cultural experiences. And on earth, it is difficult enough for people from different cultures to understand each other – imagine trying to grasp an alternative, universe culture like ours that can function without government or wars.
As an example, take our politics. In Pizzaonia, we have a non-functioning, elected Parliament. Pizzaonius knew that people had a need to engage in politics. The question he faced and eventually solved was to invent a system that allowed the need for politics to be satisfied without the collateral damage created by politicians.
This gave birth to our parliament. Our parliament has no official status and serves only in an advisory capacity. As to their advice, no Pizzaonian pays any attention to it regardless of what they say or do. In this sense, we are like most other democracies.
Pizzaonians vote for Parliament members from various districts. Since they have no function, Pizzaonians enjoy the give and take of politics without suffering any of the negative effects of politicians. Our elections take place during a special three-day weekend holiday. Everything has to be accomplished in three days without exceptions. Costs are minimal – about three hundred dollars for each candidate – win or lose.
Granted this short period does not always produce the best candidates, but since they have no function, it makes no difference. We essentially get the same results as you do in the United States with much lower costs and angst.
So you see the differences are great, however it is my hope that as we explore our differences together, we will be better able to understand each other.
Till next time….
Brother Giovanni
*Worldonian is the Pizzaonian term for Earth and its people.
For more on the early history of Giovanni and Franco go to
http://giovanniandfranco.com - archives
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