Americans are a very diverse group. No surprise there. Remember the melting pot? What can sometimes be a surprise is the types of diversity we show. American people have many differences. But isn't that what makes this country so great? The fact that we can all co-exist without fear of the government intruding in our live because of our race, religion, or beliefs.
I am the child of Brazilian immigrants. My paternal Grandfather was born in Siberia, Russia and moved to Brazil with his family as a child after his father was murdered by socialist government officials for not giving up his land for "the greater good of the people". His mother and siblings joined another farmer and his children whose wife had been murdered by the same officials in an effort to escape to the US.. They fled through China and soon found that money did not allow the voyage. Brazil became the only option as subsidies were being offered for farmers. You would think that the rest is history but not quite.
Fast forwarding to the late fifties my family prospered in Porto Alegre, Brazil and became very well known. It seemed that the sky was the limit. At that time, south Brazil had an economy that was very similar to the US. The region was full of hard working European immigrants that had developed what was once jungle into major metropolitan areas. Kind of reminds you of the US doesn't it? Well here's where it gets scary. In the early sixties, the Brazilian government which had been mostly hands off and happy with the fair amount of tax revenue it was receiving suddenly had "change" voted in. North Brazil with it's corrupt politicians and military police was near bankrupt (Chicago? Detroit?) and needed a way to stay solvent.
The "change" that came about in their eyes was a perfect solution. The south is full of wealth. Increase tax rates and the problem will be solved, right? WRONG! What resulted was threats of civil war and secession. ( sound familiar? ) With that, the North stepped in and enforced the new rules using the military police. What resulted from this was the more enterprising people left the country. ( my Father, Mother, and Grandparents) Some of the wealthy that stayed invested in things in other countries and banked there as well, and the middle class disappeared. Now, all that remains are the very wealthy (mostly politicians and high level military) and the very poor. Businesses are required to give credit lines at grocery stores for employees, health care, and a 2 hour lunch each day. Yes, I said 2 hour lunch. Most small businesses are gone now. The unemployment rate is astronomical. Poverty reigns supreme.
- Rick Mahler
Libertarian Candidate
US Congress, SC District 4
www.MahlerforCongress.com