Lula

[Maximus]

This one is for everyone on the board, but in particular, I expect Fpena to have some good feedback.  We have established that Chavez is generally bad for his country and spouts radical rhetoric while doing little to advance the state of affairs for most Venezuelans.  What about Lula and Brazil?  Any thoughts?

[FPENA98]

I'm honored by the reference, Lula, the corruption and the cronyism not withstanding, Lula's policies have actually been much better than most had expected.  Lula was a leftist when he was elected President and most analysts expected the same lefist policies, however, he seems to have had an awakening that the same leftist policies of the past would not work and he moved toward the center.  His stable policies have allowed Brazil to strengthen its position in the region and to continue to grow into Latin America's largest economy.  The country still has tremendous problems, the income inequality is extremely unequal and there's still much poverty and crime however Brazil like Mexico has a bright future ahead if both countries continue with their market oriented centrist reforms, the worst possible thing that could befall Brazil would be some left wing ideolog coming to power and destroying much of the progress that Brazil has made in the last ten years. It is hard to believe but only twenty five years ago the military ran Brazil and the economy was in ruins with inflation at sky high levels.  Let's hope the voters of Brazil return Lula to the Presidency.

[Maximus]

It's refreshing to hear that someone is doing it right.  I'm glad that Lula seems to have his priorities straight.