OPINIÃO. Os John Galts do Brasil

John Galt, a fictional character from Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged, represents the essence of a nation that struggles under the weight of an overbearing state. In Rand's story, a country gradually declines due to a state that regulates, taxes, and controls everything. As factories close, trains stop, and businesses falter, the question arises: "Who is John Galt?"

This phrase has become a metaphor for accepting the status quo, even when the world seems to be falling apart. In reality, John Galt is found in entrepreneurs, app drivers, freelancers, and owners of small businesses. They wake up early, pay high taxes, take risks, generate jobs, and shoulder the nation's debt. Despite the challenges, they remain the backbone of the country, carrying its weight until they can no longer bear it.

In Brazil, the question "Who is John Galt?" resurfaced recently. Today, John Galt is every entrepreneur, freelancer, app driver, and small business owner. They work tirelessly, pay high taxes, and face numerous bureaucratic hurdles. Their energy dwindles as the burden becomes too much to handle, and they are often overlooked or even blamed for the country's problems.

Since Lula's first presidential election in 2002, Brazil has embraced the PT's model of a "mother state," permanent transfers, subsidies for the privileged, and chronic distrust of the market and free enterprise. This model, which promised to bridge regional disparities, has instead led to increased dependency and a growing sense of economic and social division.

The first problem lies in the economic crisis, as the country relies heavily on petroleum, similar to how Venezuela did. The second issue is social, as the nation becomes increasingly divided along political lines, leading to resentment and exclusion. The third and most concerning problem is the rise of a judiciary that has become both an arbiter and a player in the system, effectively turning the country into a dictatorship of the bench.

This oligarchy, comprised of those who profit from power and reside in Brasília, has taken control of the public domain, transforming servants into masters. To address these issues, it is crucial to examine the current state of our nation and consider the paths to recovery. By looking at the facts and figures presented in the source, we can gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing Brazil and the steps needed to overcome them.