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The only worse time than during a general strike to get anything or get anywhere in Sao Paulo is during a World Cup game. At least, then, the bloodshed is in joy.

I haven't been there for five years or so, so I can't say how it is today. My banker friends seem calm about Brazil, but then again, they've had Argentina to deal with lately, so anything less bad is not worth the mention. Brazil is always on the edge of crisis. When I worked there we likened it to a roller coaster: you enjoy the free falls, then sit out the troughs. Seems there was never any inbetween.

I saw the transition from hyperinflation to the real, and it was all very discouraging. The problems are endemic: lack of property rights, unfair & unworkable tax codes (I had a client who bragged that he actually paid all his taxes... now there's a unique individual) and, the cause of it all, populist politics. Brazil is truly a case of how democracy can go wrong. They've practically copied our constitution, but they're weak on the bill of rights. If you scan our thread on de Tocqueville, some ideas might come to you. (Just occurred to me now, so I haven't given it much thought). I'll flag you & CinciWife over there & perhaps we'll have a few ideas.

Lula's danger is precisely as you mention, he's of by and for the unions. One wonders, though, what will happen when their boy gets in the saddle and they've got no one to complain about? These groups only work in opposition.

The reform spirit in South America has been poisoned by populism & socialism. It makes me sick to talk politics with a South American liberal; there's no hope. They want equality of outcome alone.

Best of luck to your friends there. I'm inclined now to look up my old buddies & see how they're making out. Perhaps they'll call me from Miami.

PS I see that my other S. American home, Paraguay, has made the list of "most corrupt" again. Poor Paraguay, so rich in soil and good people, and so spoiled by fools in power. Man, what's with the Spanish, anyway?

I saw the transition from hyperinflation to the real, and it was all very discouraging. The problems are endemic: lack of property rights, unfair & unworkable tax codes (I had a client who bragged that he actually paid all his taxes... now there's a unique individual) and, the cause of it all, populist politics. Brazil is truly a case of how democracy can go wrong. They've practically copied our constitution, but they're weak on the bill of rights.

If Lula wins, I predict he'll pull a Chavez and just do whatever he wants.

I'll go check out Forbes.