The exact measure of our elite.

Has our elite already grown tired of democracy? I dare to ask. And why do I dare to ask/suggest such an apparent absurdity?

 We know by heart quite popular expressions like "double standards." Or: "You have to give up the rings so you don't lose the fingers." Or even: "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." Another one: "Everything's as it was before in the Abrantes barracks." We know them, but... Often we aren't properly attentive to their meanings. It seems we aren't always attentive to the so-called "moral of the story." So let's get to it.

Suddenly, our privileged class, in cahoots as always with the mainstream press, which apparently had never seen any problem with our fledgling democracy, has now decided to criticize it. Why is that?

Yes, just as, in a recent episode, the elites themselves decided to break the code of silence and denounce their own illegal campaign contributions, and with that gesture bring to light the unconfessed rules of the so-called "power game," they have now decided to criticize and denounce democracy. And why did they do so then, and why are they doing it again now? 

Because they saw that the so-called "representatives of the poor" had finally come to power playing by their own rules. And, what's worse, now this "rabble"—can you believe the audacity?!—intends to have the same rights, now "privileges," and even consolidate itself as a new elite! And they even threaten to never relinquish power. For crying out loud!

Do you understand? Or do you want me to draw it for you? 

So let's get down to the basics.

I have nothing against the reformulation and improvement of our democracy, full of vices and rare, but essential, virtues – vices, it must be said, created by the elites themselves as a ploy to perpetuate themselves in power.

 I have nothing against the improvement and refinement of the political game. On the contrary! Those who read my articles know that I am a critic (not a hypocrite) of this system, and that I always use unflattering adjectives when referring to this young democracy. But I never stop defending it, vigorously – let that be clear! And may ALL dictatorships fall, may they all be damned!

My fear is that they will do the same thing they did recently with the issue of campaign and party financing through slush funds. Suddenly, as if it had never existed, it was loudly and opportunistically dubbed "mensalão" (monthly allowance scandal). I detest and condemn "mensalão" – many naive people said. Me too! But what exactly is "mensalão"? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter to whom?!

They managed to frame and convict some die-hard PT members, but their "monthly payments" scandals went unpunished. And they always have. And they always will. After all, it's necessary to "change" so that everything continues exactly as it is – or so they think.

Drawing a little more...

My fear is that after they manage to remove Dilma and the PT government from power, everything will go back to how it was before, in the barracks of Abrantes.

In other words, we have to change this imperfect democracy; this promiscuity and cronyism in politics; this coalition government that is in place – which is exactly the same scheme that has sustained, for decades, the misrule of these same elites who today present themselves as "immaculate" and "honest." All of this has to change. But, I insist, it has to change for real.

Have you ever heard of that story about the image of a saint, almost always made of clay, that every brothel in a small town displays in its waiting room? That's the waiting room of Power that our elites intend to maintain at all costs with their hypocrisy, their false truths and virtues. Slow down, the saint is made of clay – there's another saying we sometimes forget.

The underlying issue, let's be honest, is: yes, there is promiscuity and cronyism, despicable in politics; the so-called coalition government allows for the division of power and corruption; most politicians are corrupt (but it's important that we know and praise the good politicians); there is a number of parties that are immoral and grotesque (only to shelter and empower those I call "asylum bosses"). All of this is true and needs to be changed. But truly changed, I reiterate, I repeat, I'll harp on the same point again. And in all spheres of government: municipal, state, and federal. Because these issues don't only concern the federal government, as some maliciously suggest.  

Why did the mainstream press never truly question all of this before? Hadn't they stopped to think about it? Why did they never support the just demands of workers and the dispossessed? Why did they never support the democratic left in the struggle for a real political reform that would represent a true democratization of access to power? Why were they never on the side of workers, unions, and oppressed minorities?! Why?!

Another question that cannot be ignored: Why don't our elites support the democratization of the media? Why?!

I'll venture a possible and obvious answer: because the current political system and the oligopolized media, instruments or tools that have always been in the hands of this same elite, serve a system and a "Justice" [excuse the inappropriate use of the term] that were created, tailor-made, to keep these same elites in power.

Do you understand the gist of it now? No need to draw it – right?

This is the exact measure of that outfit that has always covered the shame of our elite, as shameless as it is hypocritical.