Deu (de novo) no New York Times: "Despertar social no Brasil" (não seria o adormecer da razao?)

Esse tal de despertar social no Brasil, segundo o editorial do New York Times, pode ser um adormecer da democracia, pois está claro que os grupelhos organizados que provocaram a onda de manifestações não estão interessados num processo de reformas gradual, para tirar o Brasil do brejo corrupto e corruptor no qual ele se encontra hoje. Nem o governo, acuado como se vê, vai deixar de recorrer a forças policiais, e até às Forças Armadas, para restabelecer uma aparência de ordem, que foi perdida muito tempo atrás, quando o próprio governo sancionou, tolerou, foi até conivente com todas as violações da legalidade, com a violência de meliantes organizados politicamente, com todas as barbaridades cometidas pelos seus próprios "aliados".
Ou seja, temos e teremos tempos sombrios pela frente, até que o vigor da tropa acalme as tribos bárbaras que andam depredando e queimando um pouco em todas as partes.
Talvez o próprio governo se convença do bem fundamentado que é o velho adágio popular: cacete não é santo, mas de vez em quando faz milagres...
Paulo Roberto de Almeida

The New York Times, June 20, 2013

Social Awakening in Brazil

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

The huge street protests sweeping across Brazil this week caught almost everyone by surprise. But maybe they shouldn’t have.

For all of Brazil’s achievements over the past few decades — a stronger economy, democratic elections, more money and attention directed toward the needs of the poor — there is still a huge gap between the promises of Brazil’s ruling leftist politicians and the harsh realities of day-to-day life outside the political and business elite.

The World Bank lists Brazil as the world’s seventh-largest economy, but puts it in the bottom 10 percent on income equality. Its 15-year-olds rank near the bottom in global rankings of reading and math skills. A succession of its top politicians have been implicated in flagrant payoff schemes and other misuse of public funds.

No wonder that public-transit fare increases provoked outrage from the poor and middle class, who are burdened by a regressive tax system. No wonder that lavish spending on World Cup soccer stadiums while public education remains grievously underfinanced became a rallying cry. To her credit, President Dilma Rousseff has tried to be responsive to the demonstrators. She declared that she welcomes the desire for change, and will respond to it. Local authorities have rolled back the transit fare increases that triggered the protests.

But this week’s marches and demonstrations have revealed public anger at skewed spending priorities and failures in education and other social services as well as a broad constituency for change. In the northeastern city of Fortaleza Wednesday, soccer fans in the newly built stadium and star players on the field signaled their support for the protesters outside.

Brazil’s long silent majority seems to be finding its political voice. Ms. Rousseff, who is up for re-election next year, will have to address new demands with substance as well as sympathy.