Out with them all!!

Yesterday, it was out with the surplus, today was all about getting rid of our President, Dilma, her party, the PT (Worker’s Party) and above all, her mentor, ex-President Lula.
 
Corruption came to Brazil with the Portuguese colonization and is omnipresent, but Lula and the PT have institutionalized it to an unprecedented degree.  As one of today’s posters put it, “Lula came in poor, to a rich country – Lula went out rich, leaving a poor country” (extra photo – the play on words at the bottom ties the leader of Congress’s name to a rude phrase. He’s pushing for impeachment, but is himself accused of taking millions in bribes).
 
Lula’s famous abroad for lifting millions out of poverty, but at what a cost – and now they’re plunged back into even greater poverty. He and his minions have stolen billions from every sector and left education, health, sanitation and public order with nothing. Judges and politicians get fabulous pay rises and benefits, while teachers, health workers, police, firemen and public servants may wait months for their basic salaries, which don’t even keep pace with inflation. The government’s response to empty coffers, due to all the graft, is to pile more taxes on the man in the street.
 
Fortunately, something unheard of is happening. A courageous judge down south started to investigate money laundering through a car-wash business – and brought charges against major public figures. Ongoing investigations uncovered ever greater ramifications. The first to be charged were the owners and executives of the country’s major construction companies, accustomed to winning their contracts in the time-honoured way by paying bribes. Then, slowly but surely, the evidence has led to leading politicians and finally, to Lula himself. As much of the money is believed to have been extorted to finance Lula and Dilma’s election campaigns, here’s hoping this will finally suffice to bring down the government – not that any of the potential replacements are much better. Could the judge, Sergio Moro, be the knight on a white steed who will one day stand for President and lead Brazil to better things?
 
OUT WITH THEM ALL!! Today’s demonstrations all over Brazil have far exceeded even those that brought the military dictatorship to an end.