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I was in Brazil last June/July. Visited several friends in towns where the so called Workers Party had mayors installed in those cities. So far, workers movement has a temporary stronghold in those cities, but the populace was already getting tired of their rhetoric. This movement will be a fad for about 8 to 12 years. After that, the people will see right through it and that the government won't be any better than the old government. So far, this has been a peaceful and democratic movement. I think if we have the hands off approach, and attempt to work with them, they can still be our allies,even though they are socialist government. I have never felt threatened with anti-Americanism while there, in fact, most Brazilians like the US (although they are a silent majority). It will be interesting to see how all of this develops. Another curiosity, the current movement is also faith based...most churches and church members that I visited (Baptist, Presbiterian, Methodist) while I was down there supported the workers movement, yet they were more fundamental in their beliefs than most of the protestant churches here in the US - interesting.

...This movement will be a fad for about 8 to 12 years. After that, the people will see right through it and that the government won't be any better than the old government...

I hope you are right. However, Marxists do not sit idle after winning a political victory such as this. They will "buy" as many votes as possible. Look for a sharp increase in government spending, particularly in social programs. The objective is to create as much government dependency on the government as quick as possible. As soon as Paul has the check in hand, month after month, the good citizens will not want the government to stop taking away from Peter.

Like most subjects and descendants of totalitarianism and European politics, Brazilians are inately passive. That makes them extraordinarily subject to political fads.

I have watched Lula for years; this is definitely his best run. I'd say some serious cash is going his way via our buddy in Venezuela. I'm just guessing, because the usual routine is for Lula to mouth off for a while then get buried just before the election.

I'm still hoping that "Belinda" can pull it off once again, and send Lula back to the dugout.