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Mujica is a very complex person, and his current idolization certainly doesn't paint the whole picture, but, while I disagree with some of his policies, I respe

Mujica is a very complex person, and his current idolization certainly doesn't paint the whole picture, but, while I disagree with some of his policies, I respect him because he is honest to his principles. I still live in Uruguay, I belong to an opposition party (and even ran for office :) ) but I think it's not as bad as you paint it. The left wing government certainly has made a dent on young qualified people - their goal is to equalize but it has the effect of dragging down people who would stand out ("emparejar para abajo"). And yes, a major downside to Mujicas' government has been a huge drop in security (I was robbed twice this year already) and that's what the opposition uses as the campaign rhetoric ("more security", which is certainly needed).

ggambetta 13y ago
What good is it to be "honest to your principles" if your principles are outdated, damaging or just plain wrong? The event that made me leave was when thieves broke into my house, two rooms away from where my wife and I were sleeping. Thank God the noises didn't wake me up; by that time I was sleeping with a gun in my nightstand, and I really don't want to imagine what could have happened if I had woken up and walked around the house, as I had done many other times. I'd probably be either dead or in jail. Nope, nope, nope. It took us a whole 5 months from that day to moving out of the country.
- GFischer 13y ago
  Wow :( yeah that's an awful experience (and exemplifies how security has gone down the drain). I'm glad you could find an awesome opportunity in Switzerland, and I can't think of a safer country. I'd love to live there, but it would be very hard to leave family and friends behind, and unthinkable for my girlfriend who doesn't speak English nor German. I do think security will get better here in Uruguay - if the current party doesn't address it, they'll lose the next elections (the ones in 2020), so they will do something. The choice of candidates for the opposition parties is unfortunate, the security issue is big enough for them to make a push in next year's elections (but not enough to win them).

ggambetta 13y ago

What good is it to be "honest to your principles" if your principles are outdated, damaging or just plain wrong? The event that made me leave was when thieves broke into my house, two rooms away from where my wife and I were sleeping. Thank God the noises didn't wake me up; by that time I was sleeping with a gun in my nightstand, and I really don't want to imagine what could have happened if I had woken up and walked around the house, as I had done many other times. I'd probably be either dead or in jail. Nope, nope, nope. It took us a whole 5 months from that day to moving out of the country.

GFischer 13y ago
Wow :( yeah that's an awful experience (and exemplifies how security has gone down the drain). I'm glad you could find an awesome opportunity in Switzerland, and I can't think of a safer country. I'd love to live there, but it would be very hard to leave family and friends behind, and unthinkable for my girlfriend who doesn't speak English nor German. I do think security will get better here in Uruguay - if the current party doesn't address it, they'll lose the next elections (the ones in 2020), so they will do something. The choice of candidates for the opposition parties is unfortunate, the security issue is big enough for them to make a push in next year's elections (but not enough to win them).