In the politically and economically unstable Italy of 1948, there was to be a spring election.
Sound trucks endlessly patrolled the streets and brass bands drew crowds to important city intersections for night and day demagoguery, a frenetic crescendo, and the Communists were gaining.
Then came a call-a cry of desperation to all Italian-Americans to write letters of support for democracy to every friend and relative in the old country and to enclose a dollar bill.
The resulting avalanche changed the tide and was widely credited with the democratic victory.
Today`s Poland is also economically shaky and facing a prolonged winter of empty shelves.
There are an estimated 3,000 Polish-American societies in 33 of our states. If they inspired their members to follow the Italian example (with a $5 bill to allow for inflation), the much-needed hard currency would flow from consumer to merchant faster than by cumbersome government efforts, with the added emotional benefit of individual, one-on-one support. The letter that says ”we care” can ease a cold, dark and even hungry winter.
