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I grew up in Brazil (13 years) but left as soon as my parents retired. It is a wonderful country, even though living conditions are difficult. Some of the friendliest people in the world. I left before the first democratic elections were held...

I often go back to visit, and was there back in November. The hotbed of the PT movement is in the southern regions, although you can find it throughout Brazil. In the region where I used to live (the state of Parana), most of the regional elected officials belong to the PT party. They went in with much fanfare and optimism, announcing that they would become the utopia for the masses. However after 2 years in office, most of them have migrated towards the center after the realism of government life, and real world problems hit them. At least from what I saw, (and I met many of them in the churches, deacons, businesses, etc.) they aren't as bad as they seem. Yes it is a Socialist environment, however it is not an oppressive environment. I think that after a few years, the general public will become disenchanted with the party, and things will migrate towards the center again. I don't like Lula, but his rhetoric has definitely toned down since he first ran for office. One thing to keep in mind is that Brazil, I think, no longer will tolerate dictatorships or opressive governments. Real communism doesn't thrive under a free democracy or open society. Brazil is a free democracy and a very open society. If Lula wins, there will be an initial skepticism from the US, but I think you will find that they will remain a partner in US trade and relationships.

Oi, para os brasileiros que frequentam este site...Tenho muita vontade de comer um churrasco e tomar um guarana agora!!!

Real communism doesn't thrive under a free democracy or open society. Brazil is a free democracy and a very open society. If Lula wins, there will be an initial skepticism from the US, but I think you will find that they will remain a partner in US trade and relationships.

If enough of these communists stand together, they will be buoyed by each other and create a strength that alone they do not possess. A real communism, the kind that they claim to dream about, has never been achieved but they keep saying it will be wonderful. I see it as no more than taking power and subjugating people as the cogs in their wheel. In that kind of set up, they don't ask permission and they will deal with China and other anti-American countries. Bush wants to weed out corruption and begin to elevate the poor in this hemisphere. I believe he sees the way to bringing these countries out of their flirtation with communist oppression. I think the communist oppressors see it too and are determined to counter his actions. I hope there's enough of a spark of freedom in that region to fan the fires of reform.