Marty Kaplan: I Have Outrage Envy

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AlterNet / By Marty Kaplan

Brazil Is in a Standstill Over a Bus Fare Hike -- We're Getting Robbed Blind by Billionaires, and Not Much Is Happening to Stop It
Why aren’t Americans at the barricades?

June 25, 2013 |


I have outrage envy.

For nearly two weeks, more than a million citizens across Brazil have taken to the streets to protest political corruption, economic injustice, poor health care, inadequate schools, lousy mass transit, a crumbling infrastructure and — yes, in the land of Pelé — billions blown on sports.

“Brazil, wake up, any good teacher is worth more than Neymar!” That’s what the crowds have been shouting. Neymar da Silva Santos, Jr. is the 21-year-old Brazilian star who’s getting nearly $90 million to play for Futbol Club Barcelona. “When your son is ill, take him to the stadium,” read one protester’s sign, razzing the $13.3 billion Brazil is spending to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the $18 billion it will cost the country to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Even this soccer-mad nation is saying there’s something out of whack with public priorities, and it’s time to set things right.

The massive demonstrations have stunned Brazilians themselves, for their size, their spontaneity and their civic fury. “If you’re not outraged,” an American bumper sticker goes, “you’re not paying attention.” Brazilians are paying attention to their problems, and they’re mad as hell. So why aren’t we? .....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/activism/brazil-standstill-over-bus-fare-hike-were-getting-robbed-blind-billionaires-and-not-much