arbilab
Well-known member
$1300 US is my entire monthly (retirement) income!
About electricity bills
- Thread starter thomasortega
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jerrod6
Well-known member
I just don't understand
I just can't understand a bill like this in one month. How much do your neighbors make in one month? It must be a lot to be able to pay this kind of electric bill every month.
Is it like this in the rest of Brazil? Guess I am not going to retire there
I just can't understand a bill like this in one month. How much do your neighbors make in one month? It must be a lot to be able to pay this kind of electric bill every month.
Is it like this in the rest of Brazil? Guess I am not going to retire there
That's very simple....
Our government is trying to act like Robin Hood.
Their "social projects" are a disaster. Richer people have to pay for poorer people.
As my electricity bill is beyond a certain level, there's another tax to pay for the electricity low income people use for free or almost free.
I'm not a millionaire but I have a good income, enough for a comfortable life. In the US I would be considered at middle-high class.
And come on... if I'm rich as the government thinks, that's because I studied hard, I worked hard, I saved money my whole life and made investments to see my money "growing". Why do I have to give MY money to other people? A little bit to help is ok but give more than I would use for myself is simply insane.
Only the tax I have to pay for the low income electricity plan is twice my own consumption. That´s ABSURD! It's almost like a store making an offer saying "take one, pay 5"
Soon, Brazil will be like Cuba if this continues.
Our government is trying to act like Robin Hood.
Their "social projects" are a disaster. Richer people have to pay for poorer people.
As my electricity bill is beyond a certain level, there's another tax to pay for the electricity low income people use for free or almost free.
I'm not a millionaire but I have a good income, enough for a comfortable life. In the US I would be considered at middle-high class.
And come on... if I'm rich as the government thinks, that's because I studied hard, I worked hard, I saved money my whole life and made investments to see my money "growing". Why do I have to give MY money to other people? A little bit to help is ok but give more than I would use for myself is simply insane.
Only the tax I have to pay for the low income electricity plan is twice my own consumption. That´s ABSURD! It's almost like a store making an offer saying "take one, pay 5"
Soon, Brazil will be like Cuba if this continues.
Yeah, and rich people should pay for poor people since most of them have no qualms about making money from the poor. For every person who realizes their ultimate dream of being very rich countless others have to give up their dreams and make do with less. Most wealth is built on the sweat and toil of other people and few really wealthy people get rich through honest work.
I wanted to ask how the poor in Brazil can afford electricity at those prices or are the electric companies too scared to send their meter readers into the favellas?
With those prices it would appear that your electricity supply is a private and deregulated affair as well. Curious pricing, considering that 82% is generated from renewables.
Well, it is up to Brazilian consumers to make sure you pay less. Get yourselves organized politically and start to make noise. Most importantly, follow the money trail and find out who is stuffing their pockets with all that money. I can tell you now that it's not the poor, but the price of deregulation and privatization.
I wanted to ask how the poor in Brazil can afford electricity at those prices or are the electric companies too scared to send their meter readers into the favellas?
With those prices it would appear that your electricity supply is a private and deregulated affair as well. Curious pricing, considering that 82% is generated from renewables.
Well, it is up to Brazilian consumers to make sure you pay less. Get yourselves organized politically and start to make noise. Most importantly, follow the money trail and find out who is stuffing their pockets with all that money. I can tell you now that it's not the poor, but the price of deregulation and privatization.
Consumption + taxes + everything they include $1361,02
Do you have a price regulator in Brazil? Or some other official body that you can take up your query with? You can't be the only middle-class Brazilian who feels the pinch upon receiving such luxurious bills. Are you sure you don't run some kind of commercial opration from your flat? Can't you write to your member of parliament and get them to investigate and/or explain why your electricity bills have become so extraordinary. Work your democracy, get your money's worth.
Actually, I am curious, are these high electricity charges a very recent thing or have they been like this for a while? How are they justified to consumers? What commensurate value is offered in return?
Personally, I hate airconditioning and don't find it necessary at all when I live in the tropics. A ceiling fan, good air circulation, light clothing and shade usually work fine. The temperature contrast between airconditioning and outside is actually really unhealthy and quite uncomfortable. There is nothing more unpleasant than walking from 90 plus degrees and 90% humidity into a freezing shopping centre that's been cooled down to below 68 degrees.
I would have thought that for someone living in a tropical environment you don't need to freeze dry yourself with an airconditioner. Although they are good for the high humidity during the monsoon by drawing the moisture out of the house and reducing mould and mildew.
Do you have a price regulator in Brazil? Or some other official body that you can take up your query with? You can't be the only middle-class Brazilian who feels the pinch upon receiving such luxurious bills. Are you sure you don't run some kind of commercial opration from your flat? Can't you write to your member of parliament and get them to investigate and/or explain why your electricity bills have become so extraordinary. Work your democracy, get your money's worth.
Actually, I am curious, are these high electricity charges a very recent thing or have they been like this for a while? How are they justified to consumers? What commensurate value is offered in return?
Personally, I hate airconditioning and don't find it necessary at all when I live in the tropics. A ceiling fan, good air circulation, light clothing and shade usually work fine. The temperature contrast between airconditioning and outside is actually really unhealthy and quite uncomfortable. There is nothing more unpleasant than walking from 90 plus degrees and 90% humidity into a freezing shopping centre that's been cooled down to below 68 degrees.
I would have thought that for someone living in a tropical environment you don't need to freeze dry yourself with an airconditioner. Although they are good for the high humidity during the monsoon by drawing the moisture out of the house and reducing mould and mildew.
The problem is.... It's Brazil.
People get a huge pineaple stuck up in their @** and don't complain.
The government is doing exactly what the huge mass wants. There's an expression we use here, I don't know if there's a similar expression in english but I'll translate it without adaptations: "Why would they want to learn how to fish if the government simply steals the fish from the richer and give it roasted and with the side dishes plus the dessert for them?
Its almost like the government comming to my house and saying: "you have too much money, so were going to take 95% of it and redistribute among poor people."
The poor people feel really happy receiving their monthly payment for doing absolutely nothing. They are literally being paid to be poor. They also don't want to grow in life because as soon as they start making their own money, they will lose the "easy money".
And of course, the money given to them is nothing if compared to the money stolen from us.... Guess where is the rest of the money?
Complain to who? To the president that was supposed to be in jail? To senators that were arrested in an european airport with more than a million in Euro hidden in their socks and underwear while traveling to Switzerland to deposit in their accounts?
Guess what happened to them in Brazil.... NOTHING! Well one thing happened, our president was so sarcastic that she laughed about the case saying they were too stupid because there are other smarter ways to muggle money to other countries. But, the Brazilain Law says every politician is absolutely invisible to the law so, they can't be judged or go to jail. Except if they kill someone using a gun. (literally) Guess who created this law...
A few years ago a senator crashed his luxury car during a street race. He was DUI and crossed on red at more than 190 km/h in a secondary street in Curitiba's downtown. Tho young boys were instantly killed. Guess what happened to him. Even being very evident he was totally drunk, not even the breath test was made and he was immediatelly considered the "victim", only because he was a senator.
Some months ago, the whole country stopped in a huge manifestation. Everybody went to the streets to complain against corruption. Guess what the government did almost immediatelly.... They created a new law saying that manifestations with more than a certain number of people is forbidden and who disrispects it can go to jail....
Said that, I must remember the name of our president is Mrs. Dilma Housseff, not Mr. Fidel Castro. but the only difference they seem to have is that she doesn't have that horrible beard.
Situation is so desperating that rich people (or even medium class like me) arent just "leaving" the country.... they are literally evacuating it like a building on fire. Good for europe and north america... We're taking our money to those countries. Even if not imigrating, at least our money is being kept safe in our countries.
In my case, the electricity bill is nothing... It's only a small brick in a huge building. I'm totally disapointed with my own nation. So disapointed that I feel ashamed of our national anthem and our flag. This explains why I'm proud to say I ahve an american flag on my balcony and in less than a year from now i'll be leaving Brazil.
We have lots of good things, it's a beautiful country but, for me, I can live without it or come to Brazil only for vacations.
After all the immigration process is complete (it can take up to 5 years), i will start a depatriation (does this word exist in english?) process, to refuse my brazilian citizenship.
People get a huge pineaple stuck up in their @** and don't complain.
The government is doing exactly what the huge mass wants. There's an expression we use here, I don't know if there's a similar expression in english but I'll translate it without adaptations: "Why would they want to learn how to fish if the government simply steals the fish from the richer and give it roasted and with the side dishes plus the dessert for them?
Its almost like the government comming to my house and saying: "you have too much money, so were going to take 95% of it and redistribute among poor people."
The poor people feel really happy receiving their monthly payment for doing absolutely nothing. They are literally being paid to be poor. They also don't want to grow in life because as soon as they start making their own money, they will lose the "easy money".
And of course, the money given to them is nothing if compared to the money stolen from us.... Guess where is the rest of the money?
Complain to who? To the president that was supposed to be in jail? To senators that were arrested in an european airport with more than a million in Euro hidden in their socks and underwear while traveling to Switzerland to deposit in their accounts?
Guess what happened to them in Brazil.... NOTHING! Well one thing happened, our president was so sarcastic that she laughed about the case saying they were too stupid because there are other smarter ways to muggle money to other countries. But, the Brazilain Law says every politician is absolutely invisible to the law so, they can't be judged or go to jail. Except if they kill someone using a gun. (literally) Guess who created this law...
A few years ago a senator crashed his luxury car during a street race. He was DUI and crossed on red at more than 190 km/h in a secondary street in Curitiba's downtown. Tho young boys were instantly killed. Guess what happened to him. Even being very evident he was totally drunk, not even the breath test was made and he was immediatelly considered the "victim", only because he was a senator.
Some months ago, the whole country stopped in a huge manifestation. Everybody went to the streets to complain against corruption. Guess what the government did almost immediatelly.... They created a new law saying that manifestations with more than a certain number of people is forbidden and who disrispects it can go to jail....
Said that, I must remember the name of our president is Mrs. Dilma Housseff, not Mr. Fidel Castro. but the only difference they seem to have is that she doesn't have that horrible beard.
Situation is so desperating that rich people (or even medium class like me) arent just "leaving" the country.... they are literally evacuating it like a building on fire. Good for europe and north america... We're taking our money to those countries. Even if not imigrating, at least our money is being kept safe in our countries.
In my case, the electricity bill is nothing... It's only a small brick in a huge building. I'm totally disapointed with my own nation. So disapointed that I feel ashamed of our national anthem and our flag. This explains why I'm proud to say I ahve an american flag on my balcony and in less than a year from now i'll be leaving Brazil.
We have lots of good things, it's a beautiful country but, for me, I can live without it or come to Brazil only for vacations.
After all the immigration process is complete (it can take up to 5 years), i will start a depatriation (does this word exist in english?) process, to refuse my brazilian citizenship.
Just a quick off topic comment that just came in mind...
Two decades ago, millions of poorer brazilians migratd to other countries in Europe and U.S./ Canada looking for better jobs... The government finally found a way to keep them here. Now they simply don't want to leave and those who went are comming back home.
Nowadays it's the opposite... Richer people (not only talking about money, but about education level, professional skills, etc) are leaving brzil looking for a better life quality.
In my case, I don't need a job, I don't need to work anymore. I've done this my whole life. Now I'll simply move and enjoy life. Pay lower bills to have money to spend with things I want. I saved money my whole life for that.
Two decades ago, millions of poorer brazilians migratd to other countries in Europe and U.S./ Canada looking for better jobs... The government finally found a way to keep them here. Now they simply don't want to leave and those who went are comming back home.
Nowadays it's the opposite... Richer people (not only talking about money, but about education level, professional skills, etc) are leaving brzil looking for a better life quality.
In my case, I don't need a job, I don't need to work anymore. I've done this my whole life. Now I'll simply move and enjoy life. Pay lower bills to have money to spend with things I want. I saved money my whole life for that.
jerrod6
Well-known member
Well I don't think it is quite so bad in the USA although there will always be graft.
I live in a city where there are a very many poor people. I guess many cities in the USA have them. I said cities but the poor are everywhere. They existed where I grew up....OUTSIDE of the city.
We have the poor who really want better and do anything they can to make it better for themselves. Then we have those that will do nothing but take from others. So I can't paint all with the same brush.
In the case of winter heating I know that one of the reasons our gas rate is so high is because we are paying for those that cannot pay their bill. I also know that some of these folks keep their houses at 78 degrees inside while I am trying to do everything I can to stay warm and pay the bill...by wearing 6 layers of shirts and pants walking around a house that is 66 degrees. This makes me angry...and damn cold.
But...Our city also has a large elderly population. I see them everyday. They have greater needs than I do. They have much less income than I do.
These people have worked hard to survive. Some of them are less educated than I or most...yet they have done what they could to make the best of their lives. They are of the same generation as my parents with the same ideals only their circumstance was not as good as my parents. As a result my circumstance is better than they could ever imagine.
I will graciously help these people to be comfortable in their last days.
I live in a city where there are a very many poor people. I guess many cities in the USA have them. I said cities but the poor are everywhere. They existed where I grew up....OUTSIDE of the city.
We have the poor who really want better and do anything they can to make it better for themselves. Then we have those that will do nothing but take from others. So I can't paint all with the same brush.
In the case of winter heating I know that one of the reasons our gas rate is so high is because we are paying for those that cannot pay their bill. I also know that some of these folks keep their houses at 78 degrees inside while I am trying to do everything I can to stay warm and pay the bill...by wearing 6 layers of shirts and pants walking around a house that is 66 degrees. This makes me angry...and damn cold.
But...Our city also has a large elderly population. I see them everyday. They have greater needs than I do. They have much less income than I do.
These people have worked hard to survive. Some of them are less educated than I or most...yet they have done what they could to make the best of their lives. They are of the same generation as my parents with the same ideals only their circumstance was not as good as my parents. As a result my circumstance is better than they could ever imagine.
I will graciously help these people to be comfortable in their last days.
Jerrod
I totally agree the social programs are needed and excellent for the whole society, but for everything there's a limit. We're not only paying the electricity bill for those who need...
They receive free electricity, free gas, plus ans special "ATM" card where they can get a monthly wage.
These are caled "packages", the name of the social programs... Family package, school package, gas package, electricity package and some benefits are redundant. A standard "poor" family can receive something around 10 thousand reais per month (5 thousand dollars) if they, coincidently, are elegible for several "packages".
The situation is so ridiculous that a senator created the "prostitute package". Because if prostitutes receive some help from the government, they can spend the money in hair salons, fitness centers and even buy nicer clothes to enchant men, specially tourists and atract more tourists to Brazil.
Come on, almost every country in this world (including Brazil) is making huge efforts to fight the called "sexual tourism" and this jackass create a package to incentivate that! Every prostitute receive 2000 reais (1000 dollars) per month, they don't need to do anything, just be a prostitute.
More ridiculous than a senator trying to create such law is the congress approving it. Now the country spends billions of dollars to fight sexual tourism and also billions of dollars to incentivate it. What could be more stupid?
To make one thousand dollars, i have to work a lot. A "poor" family of four that coincidently have a prostitute at home can get 6 thousand dollars per month, plus gas (LPG), free electricity bill, free water bill and even a "little help" from the government to buy a car and new appliances (and still be considered poor) Guess which candidates are these people going to elect this year.
Coincidently, a worker that works really hard to receive, let's say, 3 thousand dollars per month is considered rich by the same government.
Do I need to say brazilians will soon be witnesses of a huge economic collapse?
By the way, tonight the government announced the new taxes for 2014 (not new % values, but the creation of different taxes) Soon we will pay a tax for breathing.
Sometimes I think my country is a Twilight Zone episode.
Please use google translator and read the news on the link.
I totally agree the social programs are needed and excellent for the whole society, but for everything there's a limit. We're not only paying the electricity bill for those who need...
They receive free electricity, free gas, plus ans special "ATM" card where they can get a monthly wage.
These are caled "packages", the name of the social programs... Family package, school package, gas package, electricity package and some benefits are redundant. A standard "poor" family can receive something around 10 thousand reais per month (5 thousand dollars) if they, coincidently, are elegible for several "packages".
The situation is so ridiculous that a senator created the "prostitute package". Because if prostitutes receive some help from the government, they can spend the money in hair salons, fitness centers and even buy nicer clothes to enchant men, specially tourists and atract more tourists to Brazil.
Come on, almost every country in this world (including Brazil) is making huge efforts to fight the called "sexual tourism" and this jackass create a package to incentivate that! Every prostitute receive 2000 reais (1000 dollars) per month, they don't need to do anything, just be a prostitute.
More ridiculous than a senator trying to create such law is the congress approving it. Now the country spends billions of dollars to fight sexual tourism and also billions of dollars to incentivate it. What could be more stupid?
To make one thousand dollars, i have to work a lot. A "poor" family of four that coincidently have a prostitute at home can get 6 thousand dollars per month, plus gas (LPG), free electricity bill, free water bill and even a "little help" from the government to buy a car and new appliances (and still be considered poor) Guess which candidates are these people going to elect this year.
Coincidently, a worker that works really hard to receive, let's say, 3 thousand dollars per month is considered rich by the same government.
Do I need to say brazilians will soon be witnesses of a huge economic collapse?
By the way, tonight the government announced the new taxes for 2014 (not new % values, but the creation of different taxes) Soon we will pay a tax for breathing.
Sometimes I think my country is a Twilight Zone episode.
Please use google translator and read the news on the link.
Oh MY. got home last night to a pile of mail and my electric bill for December came in. Novembers bill was 295.00 Decembers bill was 475.00. I guess all the outdoor Christmas lights all c-7 bulbs really upped the usage. I had estimated it would increase the bill by about 200.00 and I was correct. With the holidays over they are now all shut off and boy does the yard seem dark. Should drop back down for next month but with all this extremely cold weather the furnaces are running much more than normal. gas bill was 178.00 in November and 375.00 for december. OK ready for springtime. lol
Jon
Jon
Well, if being poor in Brazil comes with so many perks the solution is easy - Sell your house, turn all your assets into cash and hide it somewhere. Then stop paying your bills and declare bankruptcy. The the government will provide you with your very own ATM card, housing and pay for all your needs and you still have your money. Sounds like a win win situation.
It must be a gas being poor in Brazil. Great weather, hot people, beautiful countryside - move to the right place and you'll never be cold, nor do you need to buy winter clothes or have a house with the necessary trappings to survive long, cold winters in. Brazil sounds like paradise if you ask me. Where do I sign up? A free government funded ATM card and Samba - what more could anyone want?
Brazil must be the world's best kept secret. I'm gonna let the word out to all those illegals, who are trying to get permanent residency here in Oz and tell them all about Brazil's fantastic social security system. It sounds like your country should be the envy of the world.
It must be a gas being poor in Brazil. Great weather, hot people, beautiful countryside - move to the right place and you'll never be cold, nor do you need to buy winter clothes or have a house with the necessary trappings to survive long, cold winters in. Brazil sounds like paradise if you ask me. Where do I sign up? A free government funded ATM card and Samba - what more could anyone want?
Brazil must be the world's best kept secret. I'm gonna let the word out to all those illegals, who are trying to get permanent residency here in Oz and tell them all about Brazil's fantastic social security system. It sounds like your country should be the envy of the world.
Recent billing for period of 11/27/2013 through 12/26/2013 -- $175. for 1,590 KWH. There is no natural gas or propane involved.
Rapunzel
That's exactly what's happening here.
But, our borders are almost as secure as the american borders...
Nowadays we have zillions of people from Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, etc. illegally moving to Brazil.
But of course, as they're not brazilian citizens, they aren't allowed to apply for the social benefits.
That's exactly what's happening here.
But, our borders are almost as secure as the american borders...
Nowadays we have zillions of people from Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, etc. illegally moving to Brazil.
But of course, as they're not brazilian citizens, they aren't allowed to apply for the social benefits.
... And who really need those benefits, people that are really poor and would love to have some support from the government to return their lives to the right track DON'T get those benefits simply because most part of the money is stolen by our governants.
Billions of dollars are being spent for the World Cup and the next Olimpic Games. And guess what. While they spend all that money, hunger still kills poor children in the north. Even silly diseases, like an ordinary diarrhea that could be healed with very simple and cheap medication, kills hundreds people in poorer areas. and the excuse: there's no money enough to save them or there are no doctors enough.
Brazil just imported thousands of doctors from Cuba (an agreement with the cuban government) While that, every year thousands of new doctors graduate here in Brazil and can't find a job.
Instead of wasting all that money for two events that won't last more than a few days, why don't spend 1/10 of it building hospitals?
Why don't they spend all that money given on these ridiculous social projects making a decent project that is really effective.
The answer is simple: They don't want to fix anything. It's not profitable for them.
Billions of dollars are being spent for the World Cup and the next Olimpic Games. And guess what. While they spend all that money, hunger still kills poor children in the north. Even silly diseases, like an ordinary diarrhea that could be healed with very simple and cheap medication, kills hundreds people in poorer areas. and the excuse: there's no money enough to save them or there are no doctors enough.
Brazil just imported thousands of doctors from Cuba (an agreement with the cuban government) While that, every year thousands of new doctors graduate here in Brazil and can't find a job.
Instead of wasting all that money for two events that won't last more than a few days, why don't spend 1/10 of it building hospitals?
Why don't they spend all that money given on these ridiculous social projects making a decent project that is really effective.
The answer is simple: They don't want to fix anything. It's not profitable for them.
"Instead of wasting all that money for two events..."
They are called vanity projects. The pollies who decide that they are good for the economy want their names emblazoned next to them for all eternity. Oh, it's all about the promise of the hundreds of millions that will flow like honey from that magic fountain in Beulah land, it makes perfect sense. Afterwards you will have world class sporting facilities that may end up sitting there unused and require expensive upkeep. Of course contracts for the games are given to friends and those with special influence and connections. As with anything that our pollies do, you follow the money trail if you really want to know what's going on.
The plan is always to fleece those rich, unsuspecting tourists of every single penny, so that for most of them this will truly be the one life-time trip to Brazil, never to be repeated, because once fleeced, twice cautious.[this post was last edited: 1/5/2014-20:50]
They are called vanity projects. The pollies who decide that they are good for the economy want their names emblazoned next to them for all eternity. Oh, it's all about the promise of the hundreds of millions that will flow like honey from that magic fountain in Beulah land, it makes perfect sense. Afterwards you will have world class sporting facilities that may end up sitting there unused and require expensive upkeep. Of course contracts for the games are given to friends and those with special influence and connections. As with anything that our pollies do, you follow the money trail if you really want to know what's going on.
The plan is always to fleece those rich, unsuspecting tourists of every single penny, so that for most of them this will truly be the one life-time trip to Brazil, never to be repeated, because once fleeced, twice cautious.[this post was last edited: 1/5/2014-20:50]
Rapunzel. Its exactly what's happening...
By the way, it's going to be a huge disaster.
The country isn't ready for that... Our airports are saturated with regular traffic, now think of thousands (millions) of tourists comming at the same time from everywhere.
We don't have enough public transportation, not enough hospitals, not enough telecomunication infrastructure.. think of thousands of mobile phones suddenly roaming into our networks.
They did nothing for years.... Now, 6 months before the World cup, they started "emergency plans", paying much more for absurd contracts... Even a high speed train between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Build a super railway in 6 months... only in dreams)
Curitiba (the capital of Parana, my state) has no subway system... and they are dreaming they are going to build a subway system with more stations than in London... IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS! I have to laugh
The stadiums are being built in record time, a little more than 3 months (but when they were almost finishing it, part of the roof simply collapsed killing two workers that were installing the seats)... after some billions spent, they discovered they forgot concrete needs several days to dry completely and "cure". The engineers (designing it super fast) also made a huge mistake when calculating the fundations and the columns and this stadium must be imploded and rebuilt (again in less than 6 months)
As a graduated industrial designer, i know very well it's absolutelly impossible to do so much in so less time, even if every men, women and children in this country work on the constructions.
The projects in Curitiba were made so fast and they were so focused on design and architecture (To show off to FIFA) that they simply forgot engineering. By the way, one of the subway stations was so badly positioned in the project (because the field studies were ridiculously made) that they would simply demolish one of the most important historical buildings in this country to place the station there. The Universidade Federal do Parana (Federal University of Parana), the very first university in this country, built almost 2 centuries ago and protected even by UNESCO. Of course even fifa didn't allow that and the project had to be changed.
Sometimes i think my country is governed by The Three Stooges. Th situation is so ridiculous about everything here that even the anchor at the most important TV news called the president "aquela vaca" Translating directly to englih "that cow".
The best way to hide something is highlighting it... It happens here. The whole situation is so present in our lives that we don't even notice or we think it's only gossip (because everything looks so ridiculous that we don't believe it's true) or simply because we think it's going to happen in other state. maybe in other planed or other dimension.
That's what happened to me. I didn't have a clue about the real situation until this thread made me pay atention to my electricity bill. one thing pulled other... I started to act like what every citizen should do.
Theres a youtube channel called "Realidade Americana". Its from a brazilian that moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and almost every day he posts a video making comparisons between Brazil and the US. I've seen some of his videos years ago and i thought "bullshit, this idiot is one of those guys that had no money to eat here because he was too lazy to work and then moved to the US, started working as a cleaner and now is spitting on Brazil's face."
I returned to his channel days ago and watched all of his videos, one by one since the very first and at the same time checking all the information (specially information related to laws, taxes, the use of public money and life quality. EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS TRUE!
If this continues, we're going to face a huge economical holocaust or become exactly like Cuba.
Months ago, Mr. President Obama tried to include Brazil in the visa waiver program, as we comply to all the requirements. The cow, our president, simply refused the offer because brazilians would start traveling to the US for shopping instead of generating taxes in Brazil. She almost begged Mr. Obama to not do that.
While that, again, we have the carnival in February... that's what really matters for people... one week of wildness, people getting drunk and killing themselves on car accidents, thousands of people getting infected with STDs because they were so drunk that they simply don't remember they had sex with a stranger on the middle of a street... bread and circus... again, and again, and again... Grrrrrrrrr
This is my last summer here.
If any one of you want to visit Brazil, please come... we really have several beautiful things to be seen here. But DO NOT come during the cup or the olimpics. I'm afraid of what will happen. Everyting makes me believe it will be a disaster.
Also, if you want to come while I still here, it will be my pleasure to host.
By the way, it's going to be a huge disaster.
The country isn't ready for that... Our airports are saturated with regular traffic, now think of thousands (millions) of tourists comming at the same time from everywhere.
We don't have enough public transportation, not enough hospitals, not enough telecomunication infrastructure.. think of thousands of mobile phones suddenly roaming into our networks.
They did nothing for years.... Now, 6 months before the World cup, they started "emergency plans", paying much more for absurd contracts... Even a high speed train between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Build a super railway in 6 months... only in dreams)
Curitiba (the capital of Parana, my state) has no subway system... and they are dreaming they are going to build a subway system with more stations than in London... IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS! I have to laugh
The stadiums are being built in record time, a little more than 3 months (but when they were almost finishing it, part of the roof simply collapsed killing two workers that were installing the seats)... after some billions spent, they discovered they forgot concrete needs several days to dry completely and "cure". The engineers (designing it super fast) also made a huge mistake when calculating the fundations and the columns and this stadium must be imploded and rebuilt (again in less than 6 months)
As a graduated industrial designer, i know very well it's absolutelly impossible to do so much in so less time, even if every men, women and children in this country work on the constructions.
The projects in Curitiba were made so fast and they were so focused on design and architecture (To show off to FIFA) that they simply forgot engineering. By the way, one of the subway stations was so badly positioned in the project (because the field studies were ridiculously made) that they would simply demolish one of the most important historical buildings in this country to place the station there. The Universidade Federal do Parana (Federal University of Parana), the very first university in this country, built almost 2 centuries ago and protected even by UNESCO. Of course even fifa didn't allow that and the project had to be changed.
Sometimes i think my country is governed by The Three Stooges. Th situation is so ridiculous about everything here that even the anchor at the most important TV news called the president "aquela vaca" Translating directly to englih "that cow".
The best way to hide something is highlighting it... It happens here. The whole situation is so present in our lives that we don't even notice or we think it's only gossip (because everything looks so ridiculous that we don't believe it's true) or simply because we think it's going to happen in other state. maybe in other planed or other dimension.
That's what happened to me. I didn't have a clue about the real situation until this thread made me pay atention to my electricity bill. one thing pulled other... I started to act like what every citizen should do.
Theres a youtube channel called "Realidade Americana". Its from a brazilian that moved to the U.S. 10 years ago and almost every day he posts a video making comparisons between Brazil and the US. I've seen some of his videos years ago and i thought "bullshit, this idiot is one of those guys that had no money to eat here because he was too lazy to work and then moved to the US, started working as a cleaner and now is spitting on Brazil's face."
I returned to his channel days ago and watched all of his videos, one by one since the very first and at the same time checking all the information (specially information related to laws, taxes, the use of public money and life quality. EVERYTHING HE SAID WAS TRUE!
If this continues, we're going to face a huge economical holocaust or become exactly like Cuba.
Months ago, Mr. President Obama tried to include Brazil in the visa waiver program, as we comply to all the requirements. The cow, our president, simply refused the offer because brazilians would start traveling to the US for shopping instead of generating taxes in Brazil. She almost begged Mr. Obama to not do that.
While that, again, we have the carnival in February... that's what really matters for people... one week of wildness, people getting drunk and killing themselves on car accidents, thousands of people getting infected with STDs because they were so drunk that they simply don't remember they had sex with a stranger on the middle of a street... bread and circus... again, and again, and again... Grrrrrrrrr
This is my last summer here.
If any one of you want to visit Brazil, please come... we really have several beautiful things to be seen here. But DO NOT come during the cup or the olimpics. I'm afraid of what will happen. Everyting makes me believe it will be a disaster.
Also, if you want to come while I still here, it will be my pleasure to host.
laundromat
Well-known member
Here in beautiful Hilo, Hawaii, our electric bill for a family of five with no furnace, noA/C averages $560.00/month. But,remember electricity here runs $.48/KWH. We're all electric,no gas. I just purchased a tankless Bosch water heater to replace a POS GE 60 gal. Tank water heater I rusted out in less then three years.
Tankless water heaters are wonderful.
I bought a very small Komeco Tankless water heater years ago only to heat the water for my Electrolux Ecoturbo washer. The only washer i have that has two water inlets for both hot and cold water (all the others are cold fill only).
It uses two "D" batteries to make the spark and until today I never had to replace them.
I bought a very small Komeco Tankless water heater years ago only to heat the water for my Electrolux Ecoturbo washer. The only washer i have that has two water inlets for both hot and cold water (all the others are cold fill only).
It uses two "D" batteries to make the spark and until today I never had to replace them.
