The national election in Italy wrapped up yesterday. Conservative Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is fighting for his political life, while his centre-left opponent, Romano Prodi, is tipped to win.

A victory for Berlusconi would be a slap in the face for the middle class who have been crying foul over his many conflicts of interest. Does this remind anyone of the recent election in Thailand? Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai Party won about 57 per cent of the votes despite a reported wave of conflicts of interest.

The Economist made an interesting comparison between the two men:

"The criticisms of both men are strikingly similar: that their great wealth creates many conflicts of interest; that they have ridden roughshod over their countries' constitution; that they have attempted to suppress criticism; and that they have both, in different ways, been disappointments in office, despite billing themselves as high-powered business types who know how to get things done."

Whatever, Berlusconi might win the election, like Thaksin. But unlike Thaksin, he won't consider stepping down as prime minister. Despite glaring reports about his conflicts of interest - and rising public anger - there are no huge public demonstrations anywhere in Italy that would intimidate the new prime minister.

51 billion years

It is universal that people feel happy when they are spending money. They feel pain only when the bills arrive. But we're forced to take responsibility for bills as they are the evidence of our consumption.

What about bills we must bear though they don't relate to our consumption? Moreover, what if the bills are worth much more than we can possibly earn in our whole lifetime?

Associated Press reported that a Malaysian man said he nearly fainted when he received a US$218 trillion (Bt98.3 quadrillion) phone bill and was ordered to pay up within 10 days or face prosecution.

Yahaya Wahab said he disconnected his late father's phone line in January after he died and settled the 84 ringgit (Bt873) bill. But Telekom Malaysia later sent him a 806,400,000,000,000.01 ringgit ($218 trillion) bill for recent telephone calls along with an order to settle within 10 days or face legal proceedings.

There is no report what the man does for a living. But if he is to shoulder the bill and if the average per capita income of $4,250 is applied, the man and his descendants would have to work for 51,296,117,647 years to settle the bill.

Do you sense a miscalculation here?

achara_d@nationgroup.com