Lately, we have been hearing here and there a bunch of news about the recent elected Brazilian President Michel Temer, his government and MP's. What is so surprising about this story isn't what we already are used to: scandals from one politician to the other or a big chunk of money being stolen and no justice being delivered, actually, the truth is even scarier than imagined. More than half of the Brazilian Senate is now under investigation for a wide range of crimes from bribery to man slaughter, also it seems the people haven't done much to put an end to such a terrible trend that goes back to centuries ago.
Palacio do Planalto
If one wishes to understand what is wrong with this stunning country which is seen worldwide as the perfect vacation spot, reknown for its beautiful women, awesome people, great drinks and lovely weather, one should not look too far. The 1988 Constitution which was finally passed after decades of brutal military dictartorship has centralized the nation and put a lot of private corporate interest first rather than stabilizing the economy and reforming our back then so weak infrastructure. That poor decision led to a lot of issues; horrible regulations, tax breaks, huge national debt and weak currency; to name a few.
What is the local government like?
This sad reality has its roots long before Brazil was an independent country. A powerful government with private interests controlled by a handful people has always been the face of our politics and that is how most of the country is administered. With lots of influential people working along with the establishment in the media, newspapers and radio, they push their agenda unchallenged and hardly are they stopped by protests and rallies. The morality has long vanished from our politicians set of codes. Greed has taken their judgment and as a result lots of people in Brazil live below the poverty line and still have zero access to education. In a 2014 report released by the Federal Police, it is estimated that during Lula's presidency, over 30 billion dollars (tax payer money) has disappeared and it is very likely it has flooding into the hands of individuals close to him and others who we may not get to know and this is the perfect picture which describes the Brazil of today. Corruption, little is done to stop and arrest MP's for what they have committed; even if they are found guilty; most get probation and don't stay for more than a couple of months in a "special jail" for politicians with TV set, air-conditioning, three-course meals, staff and hot shower and all that being run by tax payer money.
Action has been going on to tackle these politicians who have gone over the line and despite the weak and slow progress, some are coming down and leaving office, but we hope to see some real progress as the year progress.
This is the current government's ethics, based on immorality, lack of transparency and professionalism. This is the kind of people who we have put into power to decide our lives and what our country will be like for the next couple of years.
What about Temer?
What most people across the country think is irrelevant given the fact they don't seem to care about who goes out or into office. Most MP's are under investigation and so are more than half of the senators. Giving a real and honest perspective, what most people want is to see Temer out of office; this might not happen so soon as he is hiring new lawyers to protect him from weekly accusations, but one thing is certain, his time is short and he knows he is surrounded and was left behind by the country's most proeminent parties, ruling alone now, he is definitely going to face problems in the 2018 general elections if he tries to stay for a full term. However, after so many accusations, evidence being found here and there and with so much luggage, Mr. Temer won't find himself so stable as the President. Without support from most of the people and no major political party wants to join him, his days are counted and hopefully the old politicians may as well go away giving a new face to Brazil.