No Job, No Money, Not to Worry says Berlusconi: Marry Wealth

Berlusconi later in response to criticism, said it was a joke. Well, many people unemployed, or without prospects don't find it very amusing. It's sort of like Marie Antoinette being told the people did not have bread. She said "Let them eat cake".

Not only "out of touch", But with NO compassion or humanitarianism.

Job Worries? Italy Ex-PM: Marry Money

Associated Press March 14, 2008

ROME (AP) Can't make ends meet? Marry a millionaire, says Italy's former prime minister.

That piece of advice was given by billionaire media mogul and conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi, the front-runner for his former post in elections April 13-14.

A young woman asked Berlusconi on a TV show Thursday night how young couples are supposed to obtain a mortgage or start a family without a permanent job.

"This is the advice that as a father I take the liberty of giving: you should perhaps look (to marry) Berlusconi's son, or somebody else who doesn't have such problems," he replied.

"With that smile of yours, you could even get away with it," he added.

Berlusconi's off-the-cuff remarks have landed him in trouble before. This time, critics accused of being disrespectful toward women and toward young adults who cannot plan their future because they cannot find permanent jobs.

Many Italian employers prefer to give short-term job contracts because Italian law makes it very difficult to fire long-term employees.

Berlusconi dismissed the criticism, saying it was only a joke.

The woman smiled as she listened to Berlusconi's answer and told Italian media she would vote for him.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHjx9losA_KevPR9rgnnIr_C_1tgD8VDCD0O0