The Italian judges have struck down the law giving the Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi immunity from prosecution as long as he holds office. Like all corrupt and shameless politicians everywhere he has refused to resign trotting out the tired excuse of having been elected by the people. Unfortunately elections have tended to become meaningless. First, people have little to choose between various dishonourable liars. Second, large numbers of people, even in western countries have very little general knowledge and vote on very narrow considerations. Third, legitimacy of every elected politician is suspect because large numbers of the electorate avoid voting. Getting 51% of 50% of the electorate is not a convincing electoral victory. Still the judges in Italy have courage. In India justice is only for the rich and the powerful. One 75 year old woman, Jiwan Devi and five family members spent four years in jail waiting for trial before being found innocent of dowry harassment. Contrast this with Nanda who got a derisory two year jail sentence after killing seven with his BMW car and the criminal politician who was found innocent of murdering his secretary because his support in parliament was deemed crucial. Convicted criminals can even stand for elections from their jail cells. After all we are the largest ' democracy ' in the world.