Since emigrating to Peru three years ago, I've been able to observe and visualize one presidential election. The one I'll see on April 12th will be the second.
The only difference between then and now is that this time more political parties have been created, and they'll also be electing their parliament, which is the same as Congress.
What surprises me is that those aspiring to be deputies or senators, as well as those running for president, have tried to buy people off with false promises, promises they won't keep, and by giving away calendars, keychains, and low-quality pencils in April, all just to try to get votes from the people, from the citizens.
What surprises me is that many people have been bought off with these kinds of gifts. Even now, most people don't know who to vote for; they just receive gifts and let themselves be manipulated by politicians who are only looking to get a position in Congress, the Senate, or the presidency, just to enrich themselves and forget those promises they once made.
This is the cheapest way to do politics I've ever seen. Have you seen anything similar in your country or on any other continent? Or is it only Latin America that suffers from cheap politics?
I used to get crappy pencils and refrigerator magnets from US poiticians too. They don't even give them away anymore.
Wow, I didn't know they did that in the United States. Was it during election time?
Oh sure. Campaign swag. I don't pay attention to elections like I used to. I'm sure it is still going on.
Without a doubt, my friend.
These look like google merch like knock off or put thru an ai to make a google ad and watch it distort it completely but you can still see it
Politicians are certainly faker than an AI-generated advertisement.
I like cheap
Seriously? Cheap things end up being expensive and destroying countries; clear examples of that are Cuba and Venezuela.
Around here Brazil they hand out cooking gas, dentures, fix potholes, throw parties for the local kids, and hang banners in the streets on special occasions with their picture and the words "Congressman So-and-so congratulates all mothers on Mother's Day." I think it's identical to any politician in Latin America; souvenirs just like yours, only stickers and t-shirts for the slaves who get paid to wear them and campaign—it's actually very common and normal.
The same strategy to buy votes: they invest and recoup their investment when they get into office.
Buying people off for votes is as old as mankind's history. Buying people off for pennies is a bit interesting...