The Bright Side of Dictators

I spoke with a poor middle aged woman in Lima who explained to me her nostalgia for dictators.  Please note, this was not someone from any sort of aristocratic class:

Ollanta Humala, President Elect Peru

Back then there wasn't violence in the streets like there is today.  Today, Peru's full of unemployment and gangs.  We need an authoritative presence again in this country.

Dictators get results.  They always had work projects back then.  Street violence was squashed immediately.  Today people are afraid to go out in the streets at night.  With a dictator's strict ruling fist, criminals were punished!  Kids could get jobs instead of being lazy and taking easy  drug money.

Crime and unemployment are the things that affect people most directly, not the trivial topics politicians banter about.  Those were always the priorities of strong leaders and not the nationalism that dominates discussions today.  Ollanta [the new indigenous President-elect that resembles Evo Morales or a tamed Hugo Chavez leadership style] may have good intentions, but just like every other President, he's going to ignore the basics.  Dictators always took care of priorities first: punish criminals unrelentlessly to clean up the streets and make sure that everyone can find work.

Another Bridge Story:

 

Peru-Bolivia border crossings. Click to enlarge.
Notice the Desaguadero at the Southern tip of Lake Titicaca and
Puno at the fartherest Western Point across the lake to La Paz.

On the antiquated border crossing across Lake Titicaca from Bolivia to Peru lies Puno, a once prominent border town.  When a convenient bridge connecting the two countries was build a decade ago in Desaguadero, commerce passing through the important crossing center in Puno began a steep decline.  

 

Just from a quick impression passing through, Puno looks run down.  Buildings are old.  Paint is chipping off of even the large establishments on main streets.  It feels like construction has been put on hold for twenty years.  While an international bridge can increase commerce by speeding up transportation and lowering costs, it's important to note that all projects have winners and losers.  Puno is just another victim of this infrastructural progress.  Take note of this as discussions and court battles continue in Michigan over a new bridge to Windsor.

 
Note:  You know you've been in Bolivia too long when...when Peru feels like a rich country.

Note 2:  Since any good Machu Picchu story must be accompanied by visuals, I'm holding off that post until I can get pictures up on the internet.  Thanks for your patience.

The Bright Side of Dictators