When a President lacks Composure and Discipline (Translation)

The following text was originally composed – in Portuguese – by Mr. Ubiratan Iorio* - the translation of which was duly authorized by the President of the Brazilian “Clube Militar” located in Rio de Janeiro
Undoubtedly, the current Brazilian President appears to be inept for leading even a Neighborhood Carnival club, since he does not appear to possess either the moral composure or the necessary intellectual background. Indeed, nearly every time this President makes a public appearance – in every speech and in every gesture – it becomes increasingly obvious that he lacks the expected upbringing and most basic education required for any Leader; in spite of the self-delusional claims of his supporters, praising his questionable deeds, that one could scarcely identify anything else as “more democratic” than a “so-called” former machinist being elected to occupy the nation’s most prominent and visible role.

The most recent “show” performed by Lula during Carnival in the “Sambódromo” (a Samba Pavilion) in Rio de Janeiro, whereby the Nation’s Leader distributed condoms to the populace at large, represented a rather sad, distressing, and revolting affair; and because the State Governor along with the hosting city’s Mayor stood side by side their “boss”, they appeared to have been subdued to the role of gloomy servants in attendance of their “ruler”.

Such an event was sad because it appeared as if the Brazilian State were providing “blessings” to popular orgies and cheap sexual intercourse - whereas it might be considered appropriate for the State to operate in an unqualified fashion, under these circumstances, it is quite another matter when the national authorities appear to be encouraging shameful and/or otherwise questionable activities; it was distressing because the President’s conduct flagrantly disregarded the bare minimum pre-requisites for the type of composure expected from any Head of State, who should always at least appear to be attempting to follow protocol; finally, it was revolting because one must necessarily compare this lame “presidential distribution” - allegedly done in full support of the Brazilian Ministry for Health - vis-à-vis the inexcusable appalling conditions which unfortunately plague and prevail most Public Hospitals (designed for attending poor citizens in need of assistance).

While the Brazilian society has been suffering from the serious consequences of a growing Moral Weakness of unprecedented scale, it has the further misfortune of having a Supreme Leader lacking moral composure, and whose questionable deeds provide the people the worst possible example. Most importantly, this most recent disgraceful episode represents yet another evidence – among several previous reproachable events – that the Labor Administration under “Lula” does not appear to have any conception as to how a government should efficiently utilize (limited) public resources, the sole objective of which should always take into account nothing more or less than the Welfare of the Nation.

* The original author is the current Director of the Faculty of Economics at UERJ – State University of Rio de Janeiro