Brazil - Brazzil Mag - Corruption Yes, Vote Buying No, Say Brazil's Government Allies

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Congressmen who belong to Brazilian political parties allied with the government who are members of the Post Office CPI, the investigative commission (Comissão Parlamentar Mista de Inquérito (CPMI) dos Correios), such as deputy Maurício Rands (PT, Pernambuco state), say that there are indications that a corruption scheme linking state-run enterprises and businesses run by Marcos Valério to benefit members of Congress did exist.

However, they say there is no evidence that any money was used to buy votes in favor of the government or to entice congressmen to join political parties allied with the government.

Political party fidelity is not a strong point in Brazilian politics. It is not uncommon for 20% of the members of Congress to be elected as members of one political party and then move to another party during a legislative session; many Brazilian politicians have been members of various different political parties.

Rand says that "In a general sense we believe that payments were made by Marcos Valério to members of political parties allied with the government."

The payment scheme has become known as the "big monthly allowance" ("mensalão"). However, Rand goes on to say that it is still too early to link the payments to votes in Congress or changes in party membership.

"That does not make this promiscuous relationship any less serious. Party leaderships should deal with this problem rigorously," he said.

Meanwhile, PT congresswoman, senator Ideli Salvati, declared that she agrees with Rand. "Money changed hands and the hands belonged to members of Congress. That is one thing. But there is no proof of vote buying or using financial incentives to get congressmen to change parties."

Salvati pointed that Marcos Valério's operations had been in activity since 1997, and in the 1998 election for the governor of Minas Gerais the Valério scheme worked with a PSDB candidate, Eduardo Azeredo. The PSDB is presently an opposition party.

When is corruption not corruption?
written by Guest, 2005-12-22 13:02:18

Yes so, certain individuals may have received payments but this didnt influence them in any decision making, hummm.....what do you think?
Anyone fancy biting the hands that feeds them? Not today thanks...

HARD TO SWALLOW !!!!
written by Guest, 2005-12-22 14:13:32

Recognizing that corruption in politics exists, is recognizing that vote buying exist.

By definition, corruption is not done
without reason, it buys something ! WHAT ?

Otherwise why would anyone give money to another person of another politicial party ??
In addition, transferring/receiving money that is undeclared, unreported, not accounted in any place and even refuted as having been received/given must by definition have a reason ! WHICH ONE ?

No doubt that brazilian justice and even the Supreme Court will accept what corrupted politicians will provide for their defense !

In fact the only one that has been punished is the one that revealed the corruption. Jefferson has been the only one guilty and the only one punished.

GREAT democracy, GREAT justice !
And then, early last year when Cavalcanti was elected president, he wanted a law to increase all lawmakers (the corrupted) salaries by 60 %....on top of all the money they received illegally !!!!!

True joke, true insanity are the sad reality !

That\'s why !
written by Guest, 2005-12-22 15:19:39

That's why I never received a dime from Brazil.
The corruption ate it all with lock,stock and barrel.
-------------------------------------------
"Corruption Yes, Vote Buying No"
M
What the f**k this means? They do both at the same time all the
time.

moving on...

"However, they say there is no evidence that any money was used to buy votes in favor of the government or to entice congressmen to join political parties allied with the government."

Yep. No evidence. Do someone think that they will ome forward aying "YES, it was me- s very noughty boy....:

"Political party fidelity is not a strong point in Brazilian politics".

Never was. They are all theit worries are about "fightting" corruption.

Patriotism. My ass.

what's this ?
"In a general sense we believe that payments were made by Marcos Valrio to members of political parties allied with the government.""
We BELIEVE? In a GENERAL SENSE?
What general sense. You know or you don't. Period, end of conversation.

Look at this bulls**t:

"Rand goes on to say that it is still too early to link the payments to votes in Congress or changes in party membership."

How does the guy knows that it is too early ?
When will that TO EARLY be RIGHT NOW ?
Hey, Rand how much of the mMenzalao did you take home ??