Why
Why do Portuguese, generally speaking, disdain their own country?
Why is a Brazilian football coach smarter than the collective Portuguese political elite?
Why do Portuguese politicians continue their lack wit political games in a time of crisis?
Why do the politicians not give importance to national unity?
The president
This presidency has been rather catastrophical in terms of when the president speaks, when he keeps silent and what he says when the silence is over. I had hoped that Mr. Cavaco Silva would have become a statesman as he seemed to have the potential. Alas, we have had no such luck. In times of crisis the president is quiet. In times where the people needs a leader, he is absent (right now literally - in America). In times where he should create unity - he creates discord. Does he even speak to the prime minister? I am not an avid viewer of TV - aux contraire - but as far as I know there has not been a single speech to the nation from the president (or the prime minister for that sake). And this during the worst Portuguese crisis in a generation. At times, I wonder whether Mr. Cavaco Silva is well. Has he become incapacitated?
The politicians
From the other political leaders we have come to expect anything. Even murder now seems to make part of a politicians make-up. A former PSD parliamentary leader has been accused of murder in Brazil. He is also a lawyer - the correlation and progression is clear with the general impression of politician's careers: lawyer (liar), politician, riches, political leader, more riches and now murder. Corruptness and nepotism is somewhere in the timeline as well, I am sure.
Amazingly, most Portuguese I have spoken to are not even very surprised that a prominent politician might have committed murder. The level of expectation is extremely low, politicians are considered human monsters?!
For now the gentleman in question is of course innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. I sincerely hope it will be innocence - in spite of much evidence pointing to his guilt. Murder would indicate that the corruptness of the political class has reached mafia levels.
National discord
There is no national unity in Portugal. I cannot recall any recent messages from the president or the prime minister to the nation. The politicians ask for huge sacrifices from the people. But they do not disdain themselves to speak to the nation. I would by now have expected speeches in direct, breaking all other emissions, on national TV and Radio. I would expect whole pages in the press. All should explain why we got here, apologize for the failures of the leadership, explain the international problems, explain what and why it is necessary with the draconian measures, beg for understanding and unity, explain how the citizens can help, and finally give the promises, that this will lead to a more prosperous and just nation.
All we get are a few words between one meeting or another. The president included a few words in a speech to American-Portuguese, the Prime minister a few words also in parliament. Otherwise zilch.
Try to have a look at the websites of the Portuguese President or the Portuguese Prime Minister. I see no messages. It is insufficient, inadmissible, inexplicable and irresponsible.
On top of that we have obvious and public disagreement between the prime minister and the president, not to mention the main opposition party. At the the same time, the petty, childlike, dim wit political games continue. Are you all out of your (insert appropriate multiple swear words) minds?
May I remind you that Portugal is continuously scrutinized by the international community? Even moreso by the big financial interests? The same interests that has as their current favorite objective to invest against nations. Do you know Portugal is called a pig - literally - by other countries?
Furthermore, may I remind you that Portugal will not make it without the support of the population - you know the bothersome humans living in cities, towns, villages and the countryside all over the country. The people you need to fool to be elected.
The basic messages you have given so far are: The people will pay much more tax, receive less, work longer, or work not at all (unemployed) and the young will have to emigrate.
All to make up for the mistakes (and criminal negligence if not crimes outright) of the leaders, former and present, of the country.
On top of that the Portuguese people have been treated like this for centuries. The dictatorship is still recent. It is not entirely strange, that Portuguese suffer from an inferiority complex and more often than not speak badly of their own country.
The national discord is breaking the country.
National unity
With national unity and national pride, Portugal has the potential of a great nation. It is a nation of diversity and great beauty. Of a kind and hard working people with a rich culture. It has a history of many proud and great moments.
Consider what a single Brazilian football trainer could do with a simple message. He thought it incomprehensible that the national football team he was responsible for received so little support - so he on TV asked for more, to make an effort: "We are all Portugal". Suddenly people felt pride in being Portuguese, to the degree that every other dwelling and every other car would be showing the Portuguese flag. And this for football, which all considered, is not that important in the big picture.
Let there be unity and national pride, the political and citizen elite must show the way by example. Most of all, the political leadership must get its act together and live up to the concept. Lead!
Why do Portuguese, generally speaking, disdain their own country?
Why is a Brazilian football coach smarter than the collective Portuguese political elite?
Why do Portuguese politicians continue their lack wit political games in a time of crisis?
Why do the politicians not give importance to national unity?
The president
This presidency has been rather catastrophical in terms of when the president speaks, when he keeps silent and what he says when the silence is over. I had hoped that Mr. Cavaco Silva would have become a statesman as he seemed to have the potential. Alas, we have had no such luck. In times of crisis the president is quiet. In times where the people needs a leader, he is absent (right now literally - in America). In times where he should create unity - he creates discord. Does he even speak to the prime minister? I am not an avid viewer of TV - aux contraire - but as far as I know there has not been a single speech to the nation from the president (or the prime minister for that sake). And this during the worst Portuguese crisis in a generation. At times, I wonder whether Mr. Cavaco Silva is well. Has he become incapacitated?
The politicians
From the other political leaders we have come to expect anything. Even murder now seems to make part of a politicians make-up. A former PSD parliamentary leader has been accused of murder in Brazil. He is also a lawyer - the correlation and progression is clear with the general impression of politician's careers: lawyer (liar), politician, riches, political leader, more riches and now murder. Corruptness and nepotism is somewhere in the timeline as well, I am sure.
Amazingly, most Portuguese I have spoken to are not even very surprised that a prominent politician might have committed murder. The level of expectation is extremely low, politicians are considered human monsters?!
For now the gentleman in question is of course innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law. I sincerely hope it will be innocence - in spite of much evidence pointing to his guilt. Murder would indicate that the corruptness of the political class has reached mafia levels.
National discord
There is no national unity in Portugal. I cannot recall any recent messages from the president or the prime minister to the nation. The politicians ask for huge sacrifices from the people. But they do not disdain themselves to speak to the nation. I would by now have expected speeches in direct, breaking all other emissions, on national TV and Radio. I would expect whole pages in the press. All should explain why we got here, apologize for the failures of the leadership, explain the international problems, explain what and why it is necessary with the draconian measures, beg for understanding and unity, explain how the citizens can help, and finally give the promises, that this will lead to a more prosperous and just nation.
All we get are a few words between one meeting or another. The president included a few words in a speech to American-Portuguese, the Prime minister a few words also in parliament. Otherwise zilch.
Try to have a look at the websites of the Portuguese President or the Portuguese Prime Minister. I see no messages. It is insufficient, inadmissible, inexplicable and irresponsible.
On top of that we have obvious and public disagreement between the prime minister and the president, not to mention the main opposition party. At the the same time, the petty, childlike, dim wit political games continue. Are you all out of your (insert appropriate multiple swear words) minds?
May I remind you that Portugal is continuously scrutinized by the international community? Even moreso by the big financial interests? The same interests that has as their current favorite objective to invest against nations. Do you know Portugal is called a pig - literally - by other countries?
Furthermore, may I remind you that Portugal will not make it without the support of the population - you know the bothersome humans living in cities, towns, villages and the countryside all over the country. The people you need to fool to be elected.
The basic messages you have given so far are: The people will pay much more tax, receive less, work longer, or work not at all (unemployed) and the young will have to emigrate.
All to make up for the mistakes (and criminal negligence if not crimes outright) of the leaders, former and present, of the country.
On top of that the Portuguese people have been treated like this for centuries. The dictatorship is still recent. It is not entirely strange, that Portuguese suffer from an inferiority complex and more often than not speak badly of their own country.
The national discord is breaking the country.
National unity
With national unity and national pride, Portugal has the potential of a great nation. It is a nation of diversity and great beauty. Of a kind and hard working people with a rich culture. It has a history of many proud and great moments.
Consider what a single Brazilian football trainer could do with a simple message. He thought it incomprehensible that the national football team he was responsible for received so little support - so he on TV asked for more, to make an effort: "We are all Portugal". Suddenly people felt pride in being Portuguese, to the degree that every other dwelling and every other car would be showing the Portuguese flag. And this for football, which all considered, is not that important in the big picture.
Let there be unity and national pride, the political and citizen elite must show the way by example. Most of all, the political leadership must get its act together and live up to the concept. Lead!
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