Italy & The United States

UNITED STATES  The head of the state is the president.  Current President: Barack Obama.  Elected  Four year terms  *At least 35 years of age * Natural born citizen * Live in the US for 14 years ITALY  The head of the state is the president.  Current President: Giorgio Napolitano  Elected  Seven year terms  * Italian citizenship * At least 50 years old * Not barred from holding political or civil rights

UNITED STATES  The United States works under Federal Republic Government.  The United States uses a bicameral system, which means there are two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives.  In the United States Congress there are 100 seats on the Senate, and 435 seats in the House of Representatives. ITALY  Italy has carried a Democratic- Republic government since June 2, 1946, when the monarchy was abolished.  Italy works under a bicameral system, meaning there are two houses, the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.  Currently today there are 315 seats on the Senate, and 630 seats in the Chamber of Deputies.

UNITED STATES  In the United States Bill of Rights, one has the right to freedom of speech, the right to freedom of religion, and the right to bare arms. ITALY  Freedoms of speech and the press in Italy are constitutionally guaranteed and respected in practice.

UNITED STATES  Two party system, the Democrats and Republicans.  The Democratic Party believes that the nation is better together rather than on their own, that the country succeeds when everyone gets a fair shot. They focus on building an economy that lasts.  The Republican Party believe in individual rights, they think everyone is better off on their own rather than working together. ITALY  Multi-party system with nine major parties, one in particular is the Partito Democratico and another is the Forza Italia.  The Partito Democratico focuses on national and social cohesions, and they strongly believe in the need of balancing budgets in Italy.

UNITED STATES  To vote on election day in the United States one must be at least 18 years of age, a US citizen, and a resident of your precinct for at least 30 days prior to that election.  An election to vote for the president is held every four years.  The United States holds several different elections, the most important elections are the primaries. ITALY  In order to qualify to vote during elections in Italy one must be at least 18 years of age and be a citizen of Italy.  An election for the head of state, otherwise known as the President, is held every seven years.  Italy only has primary elections every seven years.

UNITED STATES  In the United States the federal income tax rate can be anywhere from 10% to 39.6%.  The United States government makes it’s money by individual income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate taxes, and other little ways.  Military Spending: 682 billion  Education Spending: 136 billion  Healthcare Spending: 961 billion. ITALY  In Italy the personal income tax rate can reach as high as 43%.  Italy’s government makes it’s money mostly on taxes. Their country as a high income tax rate, and they have to pay taxes on just about everything.  Military Spending: 34 billion  Education Spending: 27 billion  Healthcare Spending: 546 billion

UNITED STATES  United States crime rate: 53.44%  United States prison population: 2.4 million  Punishments: The capital punishment, also known as the death penalty is still used in the United State but is very limited.  Court System: investigation, charging, initial hearing, discovery, plea bargaining. ITALY  Italy’s crime rate: 49.46%  Italy’s prison population: 61,721 people and was declared overcrowded and was ordered to pay 10,000 Euros to seven of the inmates.  Punishments: Italy used to use capital punishment, or the death penalty to punish someone for a crime. However that’s not the case anymore. The death penalty has since been removed.  Court system: Courts of First  Instance - Courts of Second  Instance – Court of Cassation

 The United States and Italy have a friendly relationship. The US has had a representation of Italy since Italy has stood as a strong active partner to the US and has worked together on several foreign affairs and many civil conflicts. Overall, and even still to this day the two countries have a good relationship.