Bolsonaro Wins in Brazil

One of my continuing concerns about the political situation we face in the United States is that it's part of a larger erosion of democracy worldwide — a global trend from which it will be difficult to extricate ourselves, if it's even possible at all. There are anti-democratic forces subverting democracy everywhere around the planet, and I'm not sure even the bluest of blue waves can effectively contend with that.

On that note: Jair Bolsonaro has been elected Brazil's next president.

A far-right, pro-gun, pro-torture populist has been elected as Brazil's next president after a drama-filled and deeply divisive election that looks set to radically reforge the future of the world's fourth biggest democracy.

Jair Bolsonaro, a 63-year-old former paratrooper who built his campaign around pledges to crush corruption, crime, and a supposed communist threat, secured 55.1% of the votes after 99.9% were counted and was therefore elected Brazil's next president, electoral authorities said on Sunday.

...Bolsonaro's triumph will leave many millions of progressive Brazilians profoundly disturbed and fearful of the intolerant, rightwing tack their country is now likely to take.

Over nearly three decades in politics, he has become notorious for his hostility to black, gay, and indigenous Brazilians and to women, as well as for his admiration of dictatorial regimes, including the one that ruled Brazil from 1964 until 1985.

"The extreme right has conquered Brazil," Celso Rocha de Barros, a Brazilian political columnist, told the election night webcast of Piauí magazine. "Brazil now has a more extremist president than any democratic country in the world [and] we don't know what is going to happen."

...Donald Trump called Bolsonaro to congratulate him and both men expressed a strong commitment to work together, the White House said.

Shiver.

This is not good. It's not good for marginalized people and progressives in Brazil, and it's not good for the fate of democracy worldwide.

I don't say that to discourage anyone in the U.S. from voting on November 6. To the contrary, vote like it's the last time you may get the chance. Because it might be.