Brazzil

The Real Cost Brazil: a Lavish State Machine That Doesn't Deliver

If the State machine doent deliver, it means only one thing. It has become rusty.Try WD-40 to make it function.

WD 40 is a water displacing oil not a good lubracant .
brazil needs to be sand blasted , re cromed , polished
and kept on a shelf with only people with white cotton gloves to pick it up and work with it

Funny HOW suddenly...you agree....with everything I have written about so many times !!!!!!!

Yesssssss......Joao....you too are a real junkie ! You change your mind as you change your moods.
Yesssss.....Brazil is a rotten country, totally corrupted, full of red tape ! A country in a state of anarchy where there is no rule of law, no accountability.
Better yet.....the society Re-elect the same crooks !
Thus why should something change after you have given the mandate to your politicians....to do the BEST for them.....but not for the society ?

the Economist??????????????
LOLLLLLLLLLLLL

Very funny


Only a fool would pay attention to the Old British Empire propaganda

As for the question Rodrigo de Almeida and I posed: for sure, Brazil has jeito. But jeito does not have a positive meaning only. To give a jeitinho, a little jeito, can also mean to commit some corrupt act. Brazilian society and its injustices are a real-world embodiment of a moral debate. For the country as a whole, this is a moral as much as a political challenge.

Unfortunately I believe this debate has been decided long ago. Brazil decided to be corrupt. It permeates every facet of society. Brazil no longer has "jeito", only "jeitinho".

Funny HOW suddenly...you agree....with everything I have written about so many times !!!!!!!

Not really. There is a big difference between you and me. My attitude is :"Ok.We are in a s**tsville and how are we going to get out of it?. Yours is "We are never going to get out of it and why try?".

Btw, I dont think you are a Swiss citizen. If you were, you would me more concerned about cleaning up your bak yard, instead of constantly complaining about Brazil.You are more likely to be a Brazilian citizen living in Switzerland at the expenses of your rich daddy or Brazilian Tax payers and looking down upon your fellow citizens.

Have a great week end.

Why dont you compare your little Disneyland Switzerland with the United States. Your country reminds me of Connecticut. You've been to Connecticut haven't you? Its a short ride to N.Y. by train. It is nothing but a little state, with well mannered lawns, all neat and tidey and very expensive. I think Bill Gates lives on the West Coast. How many Coasts does Switzerland have? I like your flag, the aesthetics of it the simplicity of the red, and the white of the cross. 2.5% of the population owns 47% of the wealth. Also you guys can really ski and toboggan. And I sold my Rolex for a couple of tickets to Disneyland for my five year old. What pretense, like wearing handcuffs, so heavy. Do you know why Rolex became fshionable, because of a commercial showing that it was worn by astronauts on the moon, that it was carved out of a single block of stainless steel, who gives a s**t, it is heavy and truly kind of garrrishly ugly, especially with a diamond bezel, or diamond numerals, I wonder if you can go to the moon using diamond numerals to calculate your physics. BTW do you own a Rolex or only talk about it. It is just a cold piece of 18th century mechanistic predeterminism in an age of quantum mechanics.

The Economist 4/12/07

ON THE right bank of the wide channel that constitutes the port of Santos, Brazil's biggest, the Orange Wave awaits a charge of orange juice for delivery to New Jersey. The North King, of Panamanian registry, is taking on soya grown somewhere between Brazil's temperate south and the savannahs of the centre-west. Further on gleaming ranks of cars await their vessel. Portside terminals, once owned by the state, now display corporate heraldry: the logos of COSAN, a sugar and ethanol producer; Bunge, a global food trader; and America's Dow Chemical. Last year Santos broke its 1909 record for exporting coffee, the commodity that midwifed the port in the 19th century.
The Victorian majesty of berthed ships gives no hint of the difficulties the cargo must overcome on its way to and from Santos, which handles 27% of Brazil's international trade. For soya these can start in the field, where scarce storage sometimes forces growers to dispatch it to port regardless of price. Then it faces a bumpy journey on potholed roads (80% of the cargo arrives in Santos by lorry rather than by rail). Privatisation of the terminals and better traffic management have boosted the port's efficiency, but ships must still await high tide to clear the channel, which is 2m (over six feet) shallower than it should be. The state environment regulator is withholding permission to deepen it. Transport costs consume nearly 13% of Brazil's GDP, five percentage points more than in the United States, according to Paulo Fleury of COPPEAD, a business school in Rio de Janeiro. And that is only a small part of the burden that businessmen refer to despairingly as custo Brasil (the cost of Brazil).
Fecundity and frustration sum up the state of Brazil these days. It is bursting with the commodities coveted by the rising economies of Asia, from soya to iron ore. No other country is better placed to cash in on the global craze for biofuels. Yet Brazil refuses to grow in line with the expectations of its 188m people. Since the end of the “miracle years” of the 1960s and 70s, when it was the world's second-fastest-growing large economy, Brazil has lagged (see chart 1). In the past four years, whereas developing countries as a whole have grown at an average of 7.3%, Brazil has loped along at 3.3%.
In 2003 Goldman Sachs, an investment bank, selected Brazil, along with Russia, India and China, as one of the four “BRICs”—the developing countries that would share dominance of the world economy by 2050. It has been the slowest-growing by far, leading some Brazilians to wonder whether the “B” would be dropped. South Korea's income per person overtook Brazil's in the 1980s; it may not be so long before China's and India's do the same.
Brazilians have non-economic grounds to fret, too. In its first crack at national power the Workers' Party (PT) of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—which used to crusade against corruption—orchestrated a baroque scheme involving bribes to Congressmen in exchange for votes, known as the mensalão (monthly allowance). The Congress that ended its four-year mandate in December is widely reviled as “the worst in history”. Within the past year Brazil's two biggest cities, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, have been terrorised by gangs operating from inside the prison system. Education, perhaps Brazil's biggest failing, seems to be getting worse rather than better. Air travel has been crippled following the mid-air collision last year between a passenger plane and an executive jet. Brazil is “falling to pieces”, lamented Lya Luft, a columnist for Veja, the biggest news magazine, last year

The Economist 4/12/07

What's the problem?
If so, many Brazilians appear not to have noticed. President Lula resoundingly won re-election last October, largely on the strength of support from the poor. Their living standards have been soaring, thanks in part to handouts from the federal government. Income inequality, from which Brazil suffers more than most other countries, has at last begun to shrink.
The same is true of inflation and its lingering symptom, high real interest rates. The introduction of the real as Brazil's currency in 1994 ended decades of high inflation. Many observers feared that Lula would rekindle it when he was first elected president in 2002. His PT had opposed the Real Plan. The risk premium on Brazil's bonds soared. But Lula realised that inflation hit the poor most. Defying his companheiros, he has entrenched stability, faithfully sticking to the policy “tripod” put in place by his predecessor and political foe, Fernando Henrique Cardoso: a primary surplus (ie, before interest payments) high enough to reduce debt as a share of GDP, a floating exchange rate and inflation targets.
Helped by global enthusiasm for Brazil's goods and financial securities, the Cardoso-Lula tandem has wrought an economic miracle of a different sort. Inflation last year was only 3%, below the target of 4.5% set by the central bank. The markets expect it to remain below target this year. Real interest rates are at their lowest level since 2001. The risk of a panic abroad triggering a crisis at home, which often happened during the 1990s, has diminished. Exports and the trade surplus have soared (see chart 2), pushing foreign-exchange reserves above $100 billion. When Brazil became independent in 1822 Britain insisted that it assume the debts of the Portuguese crown. Now Brazil's government is an international creditor. An investment-grade credit rating is probably only a matter of time. When Lula finishes his second term in 2010 Brazil will have enjoyed “16 years of stability and predictability”, says Mailson da Nóbrega, a former finance minister who now heads Tendências, a consultancy. That is an important and sometimes underrated discount on custo Brasil.
In some ways Brazil is the steadiest of the BRICs. Unlike China and Russia it is a full-blooded democracy; unlike India it has no serious disputes with its neighbours. It is the only BRIC without a nuclear bomb. The Heritage Foundation's “Economic Freedom Index”, which measures such factors as protection of property rights and free trade, ranks Brazil (“moderately free”) above the other BRICs (“mostly unfree”). One of the main reasons why Brazil's growth has been slower than China's and India's is that Brazil is richer and more urbanised.
This survey will argue that disgruntlement persists because Brazil is a battleground between progress and inertia. Since independence was proclaimed by the son of the Portuguese king, Brazil has been adding layer upon layer of change rather than sweeping away the old and starting afresh. The 1988 constitution, which restored democracy after 20 years of military dictatorship, did not abolish the culture of cordialidade, which in politics means the primacy of personal bonds over rules. Liberties and electoral rights are entrenched, says the former president, Mr Cardoso, “but there's a lack of citizenship, of respect for the law. Democracy means that, too.”

The Economist 4/12/07

Too much, too soon
The constitution too readily created rights—of bureaucrats to job protection, of sub-national governments to tax revenues, of ordinary citizens to government transfers—that Brazil can ill afford. They help explain why real interest rates remain among the highest in the world, why public investment in roads, ports and other infrastructure is stunted and why the tax burden befits a rich European welfare state rather than a young developing economy.
Brazil is thus in the midst of a slow metamorphosis in its economy, society and polity. “Contemporary Brazil is a hybrid between two moralities: one unequal and hierarchical, the other universal and egalitarian,” argues Jacqueline Muniz, an anthropologist in Rio de Janeiro. Rigid legalism sits alongside rampant illegality, and a vibrant private sector coexists with a sclerotic state. President Lula, who presented himself as the scourge of old-style oligarchs, now governs with their help. Few modernisers are untainted by the past.
Although progress is slow, Brazil's institutions are now strong enough to make it reasonably sure. Goldman Sachs recently reaffirmed the country's BRIC status. Economic growth may top 4% this year. When GDP figures were revised in March, Brazil discovered that it was richer and less indebted than it had thought. It could do better still. But that would require another insight from Lula, as important as his conversion to low inflation: that the main obstacle to progress is the state itself

Brazil ambassador opposes quotas on China imports

SAO PAULO, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's ambassador to China said on Wednesday he opposes restrictions on imports from the Asian giant, even though some Brazilian manufacturers have called for quotas on fast-rising Chinese imports.
"It's necessary to avoid simplistic solutions, like championing protectionism, which is an ineffective tool in a globalized world," Luis Augusto de Castro Neves said in a statement released at a China-Brazil conference in Sao Paulo.
"This wouldn't accomplish anything," he added.
Brazil could run an annual trade deficit with China of about $2 billion this year, some analysts say. It would be Brazil's first trade deficit with China since commerce between the two nations started booming seven years ago.
Total trade between the two countries is expected to rise 37 percent to $22 billion. Along with Russia and India, they make up the BRIC group of fast-growing developing countries.
Brazilian industry leaders have asked their government to apply safeguards against Chinese goods, such as shoes, textiles and toys. Brazil sells mainly soy, iron ore and steel to China, while China sells a broad range of manufactured goods.
Instead of threatening sanctions, Brazil's government has tried to persuade China to invest in stalled Brazilian infrastructure projects.
Brazil's approach has differed from that of the United States, which has filed a series of complaints against China at the World Trade Organization this year.
The European Union's trade chief said on Wednesday he may also file complaints against China or join a U.S. case.

Two alligators were relaxing in the swamp talking.
The smaller one turned to the bigger one and said,

"I can't understand how you kin be so much bigger 'n? me.
We're the same age, and we was the same size as kids.
I just don't get it."

"Well," said the big 'gator, "What you been eatin', boy?"

"Politicians, same as you," replied the small 'gator.

"Hmm. Well, where do y'all catch 'em?"

"Down 'tother side of the swamp
near the parkin' lot by the capitol."

"Same here. Hmm. How do you catch 'em?"

"Well, I crawls up?into one of them Lexus

and wait fer one to?open the car door.

Then I jump out, grab 'em on the leg,
shake the s**t out of 'em, and eat 'em!"

"Ah!" says the big alligator,
"I think I see your problem.
You ain't gettin' any real nourishment."

"See, by the time you get done shakin'
the s**t out of a Politician,

there ain't nothin' left but
an a*****e

I believe a better translation for the phrase "O Brasil tem jeito?" would be more fitting as : "Can Brazil find it's way?"

Nevertheless, I'll have to concur with the poster that said Brazil had chosen its way: corruption. (In addition to another insidious problem, inertia)!

Man, i loved those articles i read.. though it scared me a bit. But finally i found a site that really says wthat is going on in brazil..... with no mask.

AI KERU IR NAMERIKA
OS AMERIKANO SÃO MUITO RICO I BONITO!

I have to agree with some of you that have said Brazil has chosen Corruption as jeito.
Brazil jeito is corruption. It is impregnated.
What most shocked in Brazil is people just accepted. The middle class as long as they find a state job with all entitlement everything is fine. They will just close their eyes.
Unfortunately Lula doesn't see the state as obstacle, he keeps increasing its size.
An article this sunday 04/15 on the Estado DE Sao Paulo NEWSPAPER says how imports is growing this good for inflation. My question who wants to produce anything in Brazil? No one. A country with labor intensive that just produce commodities.
The commodities sector doesn't creates jobs, but in Brazil 60% of the population is underemployed. Other than food everything in Brazil is more expensive than is in the US. One have no note that the improved in exchange rate has creates a higher purchasing power, but this is due to the fall of the US dollar and demand for brazilians commodities and high rates we paid for foreigners to sit their money in Brazil and produces nothing. The increase in purchasing power has not come from efficience gain. Brazil still very much a burecratic country. The institutions are dead and that are very few brazilians that can see this and lead the country out of this.
Life is Brazil is worthless! People in Brazil is worthless!
Brazil =mafia

"See, by the time you get done shakin'
the s**t out of a Politician,

there ain't nothin' left but
an a*****e

Hi Forrest,you are less elegant than I am ,though we are right.

WD 40 is a water displacing oil not a good lubracant .
brazil needs to be sand blasted , re cromed , polished
and kept on a shelf with only people with white cotton gloves to pick it up and work with it

Your statement is sound strategically and lets get my fellow citizens to discuss different tactics

An Interesting Point Of View And Approach
written by The Guest, 2007-04-20 14:35:58

Brazil ambassador opposes quotas on China imports

SAO PAULO, April 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's ambassador to China said on Wednesday he opposes restrictions on imports from the Asian giant, even though some Brazilian manufacturers have called for quotas on fast-rising Chinese imports.
"It's necessary to avoid simplistic solutions, like championing protectionism, which is an ineffective tool in a globalized world," Luis Augusto de Castro Neves said in a statement released at a China-Brazil conference in Sao Paulo.
"This wouldn't accomplish anything," he added.
Brazil could run an annual trade deficit with China of about $2 billion this year, some analysts say. It would be Brazil's first trade deficit with China since commerce between the two nations started booming seven years ago.
Total trade between the two countries is expected to rise 37 percent to $22 billion.

Apparently, the Ambassador nor the other policy makers in the Planalto do not read this on line magazine.There are several readers, including my good self that have been alerting about Brazil getting too cozy and complacent with PRC. These good people are well educated and have deep knowledge of Geopolitics and the aspirations of China.With Real hovering at 2 to a dollar and the Chinese currency over valued, we are selling our raw material for a song and importing "inexpensive" finished goods. This topic regarding China has been discussed amply by our leaders in another thread, posted in response to the article "Slavery Will Only End in Brazil When Condo and Favela Kids Go to Same Schools".In fact there are enough comments by the readers to contest the statements made by our good Ambassador regarding China Trade.

But there again, a vast majority of the Brazilian voters do not understand the Geopoltics, effects of exporting cheap rawmaterial to China and importing low quality finished goods from there. I dont think I can change the mindset of our policy makers.

One the regular and eminent readers of this magazine said "soon the cry will come not to save brazil from itself, but from someone else ". I tend to agree with him.If such cry comes, we can always import inexpensive "Tele Novelas" from China and show to the people who cry to cheer them up.

Man, i loved those articles i read.. though it scared me a bit. But finally i found a site that really says wthat is going on in brazil..... with no mask.

No need to be scared. Express your thoughts freely.

Why dont you compare your little Disneyland Switzerland with the United States. Your country reminds me of Connecticut. You've been to Connecticut haven't you?

As usual, Ch.C has not responded to your question.I dont think he knows where Connecticut and Disneyland are located.If he gets bored with Switzerland, perhaps, you would be kind enough to help him to relocate to Mongolia?

People in Brazil is worthless!

Don't generalize. It is narrow minded to do so.

OS AMERIKANO SÃO MUITO RICO I BONITO!

KONKORDO

written by Why do you want to know, 2007-04-19 23:18:37

the Economist??????????????
LOLLLLLLLLLLLL

Very funny


Only a fool would pay attention to the Old British Empire propaganda

Only a fool would ignore it. You may not always agree with their stance, but unlike most publications they back up their claims with hard facts, which is refreshing.