There is lots of popular unrest in Brazil these days, the marchers in the streets are not unlike those in Turkey. The issues, however, are different. Turks are unhappy about their Prime Minister's autocratic behavior.
Brazilians are concerned about governmental corruption, and lack of public services: transport, health care, education. The protesters express concern about their government spending huge sums on public spectacles - the World Cup, the Summer Olympics, even the visit of the Pope - while providing little in services for the citizenry.
Having seen the huge sums Brazilians voluntarily spend on Carnival - a public spectacle - instead of improving their infrastructure or lives otherwise, I cannot blame the Brazilian government for concluding that its people wish to place their emphasis on public spectacle. The evidence of their values is there for all to see, every late winter/early spring.
The DrsC attended the last night of Carnival in Rio. Impressed? I'm willing to accept as simple truth Cariocas' boastful claim that it is the largest party on earth.
