Milan

JUST when you thought that absolutely nothing could make you feel warm and fuzzy about the American political system, I bring tidings from Italy. Here there are 945 active members of Parliament, in contrast with 535 members of the United States Congress, though Italy’s population is less than a fifth of America’s.

Italy has roughly twice as many members of Parliament per capita as Germany, and more per capita than France and Spain as well. The Italian Parliament is one larded body of government, fatter than a haunch of prosciutto.

You’re figuring that with power scattered across so many lawmakers, each makes a pittance. Figure again — and get ready to fantasize about a new job as chairman of the Subcommittee to Oversee Trevi Fountain Coin Removal. (I made that assignment up, but in the context of Italian cronyism and waste, it’s entirely plausible.)

Once you add the members of Parliament’s salaries and an array of supplements — including travel allowances, even though lawmakers fly and take trains within the country free — all of them earn well above $100,000, while many make closer to $200,000. That’s not to mention handsome pensions and subsidized health care, which reportedly covers thermal baths.