Portuguese defend themselves with general strike

Today, Wednesday, the Portuguese are called on to take part in the country's biggest general strike in 22 years in protest at the government's austerity programme. It's about time, too, writes Daniel Oliveira in his blog Antes pelo Contrário: "When a minister talks too much the financial markets react hysterically. If he remains silent they grow uneasy. If the citizens elect a government that defends its rights the markets are indignant. If a government decides that speculators should pay taxes they get annoyed. ... By acknowledging this semi-religious and penalising system we are turning our democracies into stock exchanges. ... But those who produce are still making sure that the world keeps functioning. And today they will remind the state that they still exist. That they are hysterical, uneasy, indignant and annoyed. ... For if we aren't coherent all the moaning about the government which governs us so badly will come to nothing. Today we will see how serious the Portuguese are about this. ... It's now or never."

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