In recent years in Italy, we have witnessed various economic policies revolving around the concept of vouchers. However, debate remains open about these measures, particularly their simultaneously criticized and lauded effects on the economic system and its growth.
Our country is among those that offer the most incentives: for building facades, for bicycles, for mothers and now even to support grandparents taking care of their grandchildren.
This type of policy aims to stimulate consumption within the economy on the basis that, if an economic agent, such as the government, grants citizens or businesses discounts or vouchers on the purchase of certain products or services or provides them with more spending power, they will be more inclined to consume.
This illustrates the importance that certain forms of bonuses or vouchers can have on the economic system, especially in crisis situations, when household and business consumption declines due to high inflation or, more generally, a reduction in purchasing power.
So, do vouchers help the economy and are they effective in pursuing economic growth objectives?

In Italy, there is a voucher based system which aims at helping families in need but which, unfortunately, does not work very well.
Such system that doesn't help those in need, but rewards those who cheat the most.
There are many people who run big and small businesses and work twelve hours a day, pay contributions, struggle with bureaucracy and perhaps even feel guilty if they earn too much to be eligible for support.
And then there are those who live immersed in the strategy of minimum taxation: a family with three children, zero income (on paper), enormous expenses (but no invoice), and a complacent Italian Tax Assistance Center to seal the deal.
The result? They get a baby voucher, a rent voucher, a bill voucher, grocery vouchers, psychologist voucher for the stress of signing too much paperwork. Regular employment? Not even a chance: otherwise their income report (ISEE or Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) will rise.
And while the poor self-employed workers and the regularly employed workers get slapped with a pre-filled tax return, the so-called ‘all voucher families’ take their kids to the pool (paid for with a voucher), drive used SUVs registered to foreign relatives and spend the afternoon at the bar complaining about the government “not giving them enough help.”
The Constitution reads that the law is equal for everyone but, in our country, it applies to those who respect it, not those who know it too well.
True welfare only exists if it is fair, measured and controlled.
I agree with the fact that those who are truly in need must be helped but I believe that those who pretend to be in need must be stopped.
Those who steal - because this is theft and fraud - must be stopped.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” said John F. Kennedy.
Here it seems to have become for many the other way around and also many new immigrants have quickly figured out the game.
Many are entitled to rent vouchers, utility bill vouchers, prepaid phone cards, food vouchers, free daycare and even a GP who fills out the forms. All these privileges even before getting an official and valid visa to reside here.
But the aggressiveness with which these rights are demanded is worthy of a debate.
The social cost is enormous but invisible and the economic damage is the tip of the iceberg.
The real disaster is cultural and, as a result, we as a country have rewarded cunning individuals with the government being complacent.