By LUIZ MARQUES*
The government is cynically blackmailed in the eyes of the corporate media, which does not turn the fact into a political-media scandal
The collection organized by Flávio Moreira da Costa, The 100 best humorous short stories in universal literature, brings a memorable writing by the Roman of Jewish origin Alberto Moravia (1907-1990), “The Christmas Turkey”. In it, the traditional bird, instead of going “to the pot”, is transformed into the prospective son-in-law at dinner, embodying the characteristics of a mediocre and cunning man. With “his stories of parties, entertainment, trips, worldly successes”, mother and daughter then feast. Their ease among the wealthy classes flatters the former and fascinates the latter.
Curcio, the central character in the story, is the skeptical candidate for father-in-law. He vents when the turkey leaves. “It was time to stop with these sophisticated and snobbish posh people who hide a lot of cheating under their arrogance.” Curcio, who had worked hard his entire life, “didn’t feel inferior to any turkey in the world.” However, this one, with his puffed-out chest and lordly air, soon settles into the house.
“A fine son-in-law,” the old man grumbles. “I’ll settle for a hard-working, simple man, but a fool.” Time passes, and the marriage proposal does not come, despite the couple enjoying intimate moments. The fool proposes that the young woman run away with him, far away. Tired of procrastination and lies, the fool agrees.
There is nothing to be done, she is an adult, says the police. And the secret comes to light: the impostor is married and has children. He demands compensation to return his dishonored daughter; a fraudster. Curcio swears that he will no longer be deceived “by the false appearances and empty words of a turkey, whether aristocratic or commoner”. Thus, it is assumed, the bird returns to the pot to fulfill its function in the celebration of Christ.
Alberto Moravia's short story serves as a metaphor for the relationships established between the President of the Republic, in the allegorical role of Curcio; the Minister of Finance, in the role of the mother; the Minister of the Supreme Court, in the role of the daughter; and the head of the Federal Chamber, in the role of the turkey. The scenario refers to the traps set to distort a republicanization pact in the offices of Brasília, in the face of the “secret amendments”. See the illustrative and instructive report on Arthur Lira, in “The man who says 'I give' does not give” (Piaui, 05/12/2024). For now, the patron of an occasional semi-presidentialism shows cunning.
Politics as business
The story begins when Flávio Dino suspends the absurd and imposing amendments via Pix. Billions of reais were distributed without anyone knowing who had requested them and for what. The money-loving right wing – a pleonasm – turns politics into a business that makes a stained-glass monk blush. In the opinion of journalist Breno Pires: “Arthur Lira accuses the Supreme Federal Court of not complying with the agreement to release parliamentary amendments. But the opposite is happening.” No surprise there.
What is sub judice It is political clientelism and electoral pens that act as an anchor for inequalities. No one explains why, in the last three years, 26 amendments totaling R$90 million landed in an electronic games company in Goiás. This is the tip of the iceberg. iceberg of fraud and dirty tricks by the misgovernments of Michel Temer and Jair Bolsonaro, who left a trail of sabotage against work, state assets and the values of the democratic rule of law. “There has never been such institutional disarray with so much public money, in so few years”, denounces with courage and zeal the former governor of Maranhão and current minister of the STF.
On August 20, a joint note between the branches of government was signed. It stated that amendments from thematic committees of Congress would be “destined for projects of national or regional interest, defined by an agreement between the Legislative and Executive branches.” State amendments would be “destined for structuring projects in each state and in the Federal District, according to the definition of the bench, with individualization prohibited.” Complementary Law 210 was approved, with the new rules. Brazil is alive.
Flávio Dino authorizes the payment with some conditions to ensure greater transparency in the use of public funds. However, the law that was sanctioned transfers prerogatives of commissions to party leaders who, by the nature of their positions, are close to the president of the “People’s House” and does not provide for the identification of the deputy and senator who request the transfer to the party leader. Clouds hang over the agreement, in fine print. The indecency went out one door and returned through another.
The big boss pretended to be involved in a deal when faced with evidence of fraud; he failed to comply with the agreement; and now he is plotting revenge. In retaliation, he is threatening Fernando Haddad’s fiscal package, which, in turn, blocks the increase in the minimum wage and creates barriers to the granting of Continuous Benefits, which benefit the most vulnerable social sectors. The measures meet the unreasonable demands of the finance sector, in contradiction with the project of a more just and egalitarian country. It indicates a capitulation to financial capital. Otto von Bismarck’s phrase (“Sausages and laws, it is better that the people do not know how they are made”) does not fit with the transparency displayed by progressives.
Politics as a drug
The neoliberal press admits: “By being a shortcut to reelections, the amendment spree has produced a highly addictive political drug. Its user needs more and more resources, and abstinence could cost him his career. That is why the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate are desperately trying to maintain the constant and growing flow of the electoral drug,” says a leader of the World Editors’ Forum (!?) Marcelo Rech (Zero hour, 6 and 7/12/2024). But criticism takes an awkward chicken flight; close to the ground.
The government is cynically blackmailed in the eyes of the corporate media, which does not turn the fact into a political-media scandal. Robbers are treated as irresponsible patients for their actions. The media tries to save its dirty reputation with platitudes. It does not monitor adherents of neoliberal dogma. Without the manhole cover, creatures from the underground place themselves above the Constitution. Governance is shaky in Parliament, whose majority behaves shamelessly when looking at the nation's coffers; already scoured by the rentiers in R$869,3 billion, of which R$111,6 billion is tax-free in October of this year alone. A small 1% cut in the Central Bank's interest rate would save R$55,2 billion in public spending. This, Globo hidden from the gullible.
Arthur Lira et caterva represent a physiological barrier to democracy, by reproducing the logic of the “cordial man” who prioritizes and privileges the family and friendship circle, refusing to submit to the agreed consensus to legislate and govern the commons. Patrimonialism also guides the elites’ mentality, of plunder. Hence the poet’s timely suggestion: “Check the bill: / You are the one who pays it. / Put your finger on each installment. / Ask: How does this appear here? / You have to take the lead”.
Furthermore, the Attorney General's Office argues that the law outlined is sufficient, based on the Machiavellian realism of the “effective truth of things” (the true effectiveness of things). That is, in the “concrete analysis of concrete reality”, given the correlation of forces. The price of negotiation is the lowest cost, for both parties. The big shots know the power they have; the government needs votes to approve social policies. The Executive and Legislative branches seek a reciprocal commitment. If the Judiciary rejects the AGU’s request, it has more autonomy to resolve the conflict.
Left-wing activists know that they are advancing among the rocks of backwardness, towards the socialization of a new conception of society. They know that political dispute is not an epic film that ends in an explosion; in a democracy, it is a series of streams with several seasons and ending with a sigh of relief. He knows that the current situation requires the accumulation of energy and the organization of the historical-political bloc.
But he also knows that empathy with the suffering of the population is necessary. The fight against the social and environmental crisis, together with the strengthening of the BRICS, is invigorating the movements for change. May the Brazilian dream not be shaken and may the vulture not replace the traditional Christmas turkey.
* Luiz Marques is a professor of political science at UFRGS. He was Rio Grande do Sul's state secretary of culture in the Olívio Dutra government.
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