OT: New Brazilian President
 

Today, i'm pround of my country, because today, in my country, Brazil (we write Brasil here, we are having a definite proof that we live in a real democracy, and not a false one.....

Today, 01/01/2003, the new president Luis Inacio "Lula" da Silva is assuming presidency of my country, and, while i personally do not agree with all policies of the Workers Party an the new president, and i don't voted in him in his election, i'm pround, not of the president, but i'm pround of the democracy.

For everyone that don't knew, Brazil, until 1978 was officicialy a military dictature, where government were in the hand of the generals from the army.... from 1978 until around 1988 we lived in a "semi-democratic" state, where the president were elected from the people, but the true power still were in the hands of the military, and, in 1988 a new Constitution was proclamed, and we started to live a democracy.

But i say that only now we, brazilian citizens, have a definite proof that we live in a real democracy, because our new president is everything that our ancient "military presidents" were not: he came from the people, started working to sustain his family from 7 years old, worked in the metalurgic industry not as a owner but as a worker, was persecuted, imprisioned, tortured and nearly killed during the military governments, and never ceased to fight for the rights of the poor, the workers, and for the creation of a true democracy.

While, like i said before, i don't share the same visions of the new president and the Workers Party, that changed from a Leftist to a Center-Leftist orientation recently, i see, in the victory of our "Lula", the definitive proof that the democracy in my country is a real one, because he is the antitesis of every ditctatorial government, because he came from the poor, and always defended the real soul of my country: the people.

It's really hard to convey to you what a monumental historic moment is happening in Brazil, where a man, that once was one of the major enemies from the (military) government, that fought not only with ideas, but put his own life in the fight for democracy, being imprisioned, tortured and that didn't died in an obscure cell of a dark prision only because one of the jailors helped him, and revealed to the people where he was incarcerated (so the military of the time could not kill him to not create a martyr), is our new president, elected by the people, with a staggering majority.

He will not have a easy job, because Brazil, while one of the richest country in natural resources of the world have several problems, like the poverty, government corruption, and a escalating crime rate, but i have faith that, while we can't expect miracles, i knew that the new President will do everything in his power, like he did during all his life, to help the people, and defend the democracy.

Sorry if i exceded myself people, i just wanted to share some of this historic moment with citizens of other democracies, to show that, while our world isn't perfect, it have it's moments.....

Makinus

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Let's hope this is the beginning of a new era for the region.
Down here I'm not satisfied with any of the possible candidates, and it is uncertain how or when the elections will be.

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Now if only the US would take a cue from Brasil and get a real democracy...

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Congratulations to Brazil. I hope your leadership finds ways to fulfull their obligation to the citizenry.

Fyron?

I Beg Your Pardon?

What part of our political system fails to be democratic in nature?

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Edit: oops, accidental deletion! What was I saying? Ah, never mind, I don't feel like typing all that again. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

What I really meant was: Congratulations and best wishes for the people of Brasil. Happy New Year, indeed.

[ January 02, 2003, 00:41: Message edited by: DarkHorse ]

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Well let's see. The government is controlled/occupied by 2 massive parties that get closer and closer to the same thing with each passing year. There is no chance in heck of someone that is not a member of one of those parties getting into major political office. Either in it, or an "independant", which really doesn't mean much, as independants still normally maintain close ties with one party or the other. Only 2 parties doesn't seem very democratic to me.

The only way to get into major political office is to have a lot of money. So, it is very near impossible for people not affiliated with one of the 2 major parties to win. More money = closer to victory. I am not saying that more money = victory, I am just saying that you have to have a huge amount of money to spend on the campaign. The parties then only listen to those people that give them lots of money. Ie: ludicrously rich people, huge corporations, etc.

Money buys power. Ethics, policies, character, etc. take a back seat to money in American politcs. Seems rather un-democratic to me; almost like a Plutocracy.

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Fyron,

I see what you mean. You certainly have a point. (I was afraid you were hinting at something else.)

For years, I have felt that the parties make mountains over molehills in order to keep the public's attention away from more important issues involving the loss of personal freedom and gain of power by governmental agencies.

The only problem is that any legislation to correct the problem of money buying elections would be an infringement of personal liberty by telling citizens what they may or may not spend their money on (i.e., forwarding a political cause).

The only real solution, IMHO, is for people to look past the fluff and try to focus on issues. We had a state senatorial election in my district this year in which the populous actually seemed to do that.

This reminds me of a remark made in the late 1700s by a prominent Englishman. Forgive me for not remembering the name, but the quote went something like this:

(paraphrased) Democracy will work until the public realizes they can vote themselves money from the public till.

If you look closely, most of the political 'hot' issues revolve around who will get the money.

Sincerely, Brazil... Best Wishes. Just remember, the best solution is not always the most popular.. in fact, it almost never is.

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

Pet peeve: the USA is NOT a democracy. It's a republic. The difference is in a democracy majority rules, period. A rebublic, aside from having elected representatives, gennerally has limits on what the majority can do.

Phoenix-D

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Majority means something in places? Wow!

Re: OT: New Brazilian President
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree with you. The US should have a minimum of three parties and money should be removed from the equation. All the parties should have equal opportunity to speak their views to the people...all the people through all available media equally. In the end it is our money they use for their agenda.

Congratulations on your new president and democracy in Brasil.

[ January 02, 2003, 03:10: Message edited by: Wizarc ]