Several inhabitants in the region of Simplício Mendes, a municipality in the
northeastern Brazilian state of Piauí, have stopped travelling by foot or donkey
in recent years because they have bought motorcycles. Many others have also put
refrigerators and television sets in their homes.
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Yes, motorcyles have replaced the noble burro in some places I have visited recently, the Sobradinho area of Bahia and parts of Piaui from São Raimundo Nonato to Teresina.
And all the old gasoline powered pickups still burn Butane instead of Gasoline because, the guy tells me, it´s still about 15% cheaper to do so.
And the Bolsa Familia has just about wÃped out the availablity of manual laborers. I make no comment on this fact except to say that it does seem to be true. And the Serra das Confusões is being developed, and the roads are better.
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"And the Bolsa Familia has just about wÃped out the availablity of manual laborers" written by ch.c.,
July 14, 2007
Interesting comments Ric. The Bolsa Familia budget of 8 billion Reals for 45 millions citizens is the equivalent of Real 0,50.....PER DAY !!!!
May be it is enough to have a good living.....in these areas !!! Thus why work more ?
Hmmmmm.....let me have my doubts !
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... written by Ric,
July 14, 2007
Sorry if I was not clear. The area referred to is a microcosm not necessarily typical of Brazil as a whole. Nor do all the matutos draw Bolsa Familia. Many are still working in subsistance farming or providing goods and services for those farmers , as a part of the informal economy.
Those who used to be available as temporary workers or hired hands would be more likely to be the landless, careerless, "pobre lascado". Those workers may be drawing more per day than the amount referred to as what would be available under the Bolsa Familia. Simple division won´t do it.
Several inhabitants in the region of Simplício Mendes, a municipality in the
northeastern Brazilian state of Piauí, have stopped travelling by foot or donkey
in recent years because they have bought motorcycles. Many others have also put
refrigerators and television sets in their homes. 
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And all the old gasoline powered pickups still burn Butane instead of Gasoline because, the guy tells me, it´s still about 15% cheaper to do so.
And the Bolsa Familia has just about wÃped out the availablity of manual laborers. I make no comment on this fact except to say that it does seem to be true. And the Serra das Confusões is being developed, and the roads are better.