Reader comments are listed below. Comments are currently closed and new comments are no longer being accepted. Excellent article - but one that is only one recent and visible example of the political and economic "feudalism" practised in all the over numerous North Eastern states. Feudalism is a perfect description. It's ingrained into the very DNA of the region and has existed for hundreds of years with the tacit approval of the Catholic Church.
Local press reported that the Sarney camp was considering suing The Economist presumably with public funds. So much for the vaunted freedom of press - good luck. Why the legal action is puzzling as But the reaction does confirm your encroachment of what they perceive as a form of "divine right" to govern. Incidently, this "feudalism" is not only confined to State poltics - the Federal Government "buys" votes voting is an obligatory civil right with T shirts and meal plans.
And do not forget that Brazil harbors the most expensive for tax payers per capita legislator on the planet by a factor of several. The situation is truly disgusting in a country of such potential. Nevertheless, Brazil is larger than its own incompetence. We hope. It's a bit like the house of lords then, except that Brazilians actually have the chance to vote.
Sometimes when my friends and I are in a pub drinking and talking about politics, we agree that Brazil will jump over some steps of being a superpower, when these old colonels die. If the judicial syatem of Brazil had any respect for the population of the country this corrupt dinosaur and his whole family should be in prison for life. On top of that, for what he did to impoverish the country with his "Plano Cuzado" in he should never have been reelected to such a high position if Brazilian legislators had any kind of love or respect for the people they represent.
Actually what Judicial System or Justice Ministry does Brazil have that deserves any kind of respect or even deserves to be called as such? Just look at their recent decision to protect Cesare Batisti - an Italian terrorist, a coward assasin - as a political refugee. Need more evidence - look at the recent decisions of bandit Gilmar Mendes,head of their Supreme Court.
