Election Fever

Elections are upon us here in Brazil, and the lead-up has been very entertaining....
Candidates are advertising in creative ways following a ban on posting images on public structures. The poor have been enlisted en masse to ride bicycles around town with posters mounted on little trailers; some are standing on corners waving massive flags & obstructing vision of the road ahead; others merely doze while holding a crude wooden post with an image on it. Massive balloons float above buildings and parks as well.... but some of the campaigns are downright puerile! One group advertises their candidacy with a crude and playful puppet show. Another candidate poses lovingly holding two dogs, claiming he is the guardian of animals. WHAT? There are people living in slums here, remember? How about taking care of THEM first???? And my personal favouite: A two storey high paper mache bust of a female candidate towed around town behind a big car. Unreal. Lots of music blaring, traffic jams, and of course judements made without real thought. Lula didn't even show up to the last debate - because he gets thrashed? Or because he knows he' s got it in the bag? Who knows. We shall just wait and see what happens tomorrow!