CAL THOMAS COMMENTARY NOVEMBER 1, 2022
BRAZIL HELD AN ELECTION SUNDAY AND THIS IS HOW THE WALL STREET JOURNAL DESCRIBED THE OUTCOME: “BRAZILIANS ELECTED LUIZ ‘LULA’ da SILVA TO THE PRESIDENCY AGAIN ON SUNDAY, OUSTING INCUMBENT JAIR BOLSONARO BY LESS THAN TWO PERCENT OF THE VOTE. LATIN AMERICA’S LARGEST COUNTRY IS GAMBLING AGAIN ON LEFT-WING POPULISM THAT HAS FAILED SO OFTEN IN THE PAST.”
WHY SHOULD THIS MATTER TO AMERICA? LET ME REPEAT THE LAST PART OF THAT JOURNAL STORY: “LEFT-WING POPULISM, THAT HAS FAILED SO OFTEN IN THE PAST.”
WHY DO SO MANY VOTERS IN BRAZIL, THE REST OF SOUTH AMERICA AND THE U.S. CONTINUE TO CLING TO LIBERALISM WHEN IT HAS FAILED SO OFTEN IN THE PAST? THERE ARE MANY REASONS, BUT CHIEF AMONG THEM IS INTENTIONS. IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER AN IDEA OR PROGRAM WORKS, ONLY THAT PEOPLE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES FOR TRYING.
IN BRAZIL, da SILVA VOWED TO HELP THE POOR. IF HE COULD HELP THE POOR, WOULD HE NOT HAVE DONE SO DURING HIS PREVIOUS PRESIDENCY?
IT’S THE SAME IN THE U.S. — LIBERALS PROMISE A BETTER LIFE IF YOU VOTE FOR THEM, BUT DELIVER HIGHER TAXES, DEBT AND A SOCIAL AGENDA THAT IS TEARING THE COUNTRY APART. AH, BUT THEY HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS. I’M CAL THOMAS.
