Don't panic people

Brazil just elected their first female president.  Dilma Rousseff is now reported to be the most powerful femal politician on the planet.  That sends shivers down some people's back.  It makes a lot of others very happy (apparently 56% of the people), and proud to be Brazilian.

For those who see the election as a lost opportunity to return Brazil to neoliberal rule, remember when Lula was elected and everyone thought the sky was going to fall?  How did that work out?  20 million Brazilians were lifted out of poverty and another 29 million joined the middle class over the past eight years.  Not bad for a radical leftist.

I know, I know, it's complicated.  Corruption.  I know. The PSDB (Social Democratic Party) is less corrupt... right.

Mostly it's complicated, not suited to blog posts.  But let me just say - relax.  Wait and see.  This story line turned out pretty well last time around.