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DesideriScuri -> RE: Unrest in Brazil (6/19/2013 5:29:56 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Zonie63
Is global unrest on the rise? It just seems as if there are more and more countries which are having massive protests, riots, uprisings. Much of it seems economic, the eternal battle between the haves and the have nots.
http://world.time.com/2013/06/18/brazils-protests-social-inequality-and-world-cup-spending-fuel-mass-unrest/
quote:
Protesters’ grievances are united around a common theme: social inequity. They decry a political culture marked by corruption, a general lack of a return on high taxes, and point to inadequate government upkeep and spending on infrastructure, education and healthcare. That stands in stark contrast to the country’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup, which takes place in Brazil next year to the tune of some $14 billion of state investment. The tournament’s lavish funding has served to illustrate the divide between the country’s haves and have-nots. To that end, protests also marred the opening game of the smaller Confederations Cup soccer tournament on Saturday, which takes place in the World Cup host country a year before the real tournament. “The government pays for the World Cup but we don’t have hospitals. We don’t have schools, education,” says Felipe Goncalves, a 33-year-old human resources worker.
“It’s absolutely not just about a rise in bus fares, that was just the last straw,” says Veera, the student, clutching her flowers. Commentators and protesters alike see the current unrest as a symptom of the country’s dramatic rise on the world stage. During the recent presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, the country saw huge annual growth, with 2010 —Lula’s last year in power — delivering a 7.5 percent rise in GDP. Wages continue to rise and some 35 million people have been lifted out of poverty. Consumer credit was a major factor in that success and created a middle class whose demands are rising rapidly.
Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/06/18/brazils-protests-social-inequality-and-world-cup-spending-fuel-mass-unrest/#ixzz2WfhZUrMe
I guess the question is, are the wealthy and powerful of this world reasonable enough to be willing to give up some of their wealth for the sake of global peace and stability. Or will they be holding on for dear life to every penny, leaving countless billions impoverished and hungry, setting the stage for escalated unrest and possible global conflict? Social inequity, cuts in social services, raising bus fares on the poor to pay for more luxury for the rich.
It seems to me that those at the top, those who hold all the cards and could easily end this growing unrest with a simple stroke of a pen, refuse to do what's right. The reports indicate that these are mostly peaceful protests in Brazil, so it seems like they're asking nicely. How the government responds to nice requests will determine whether subsequent requests will be as nice.
Even here in the United States, I wonder if we're heading in the same direction.
I guess I just don't understand the mentalities of the wealthy and powerful in this world. What goes on in their heads? What are they thinking? When all they have to do is implement a few reforms, comply with the demands of the people, and stop being so greedy, all they do is send out the police, military, and just to try crush people. All they have to do is raise wages, lower prices, increase social services and education, and create a better life for their people, yet they refuse. It seems all so simple, yet they'd rather start a war than do what's right.
Is there ever enough? 2012 population estimate for Brazil: 194M (193.9-blah-blah-blah milion, so, round up) 35M lifted out of poverty "recently" That's roughly 18% of their entire population lifted out of poverty. The poverty wiki listed Brazil as having <11% of it's population earning <$2/day.
Nah, it's never enough, and it never will be.
I wonder how many Brazilians watch the World Cup.
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