Elections in Argentina

[Mark]

Next week elections are held in Argentina. As you may know I lived 2 years in Argentina and have some understanding of how the government goes about. I'm always getting a bit sentimental where social issues in Argentina are concerned. Almost all of my Argentinian friends I got to know when I was living there are now living in Spain. They left Argentina, together with many, in search for a better future.

The song "Sr Cobranza", written by Las Manos de Filippi and popularized by Bersuit Vergarabat, is the best protest song ever raging against the widespread corruption in Argentina during that time. "Sr Cobranza", released in 1998, has since been referenced to in almost every Latin American country when governments went out of line once again. "Sr Cobranza" was forbidden in Argentina soon after its release on the CD "Libertinaje" in 1998. I feel very much attached to this song with its frustrating cry to those few in power who have taken away the future of many.

As the election date gets closer the campaign takes up steam although nobody in Argentina seem to care much. It's considered by many Argentinians the most "boring" election campaign ever. Let's hope the new leaders can turn around the table and get the country back to its feet.

Best wishes,

Mark

[legar]

Is the song in English downloadable? im intriged.

[Mark]

Legar, the song "Sr Cobranza" (free translated as "Mister Collecter") by Bersuit Vergarabat is a protest song written in 1998 (I arrived in Argentina that year) against the Menem administration. At that time President Menem was leading Argentina into the bankruptcy that would be his legacy 2 years later.

The song is rough, insulting to those in power and can only be understood fully if you have an insight in Argentinian politics from that time. For me, the song expresses the same frustrations I felt when I was living there. There is no translation in English available.

Please note that the lyrics are copyright protected:

Sr Cobranza by Bersuit Vergarabat



Note: the video is censured! The audio is not.

Voy a la cocina, luego al comedor,
miro las revistas y el televisor,
me muevo para aquí, me muevo para allá.
Norma Plá a Cavallo lo tiene que matar.
Que me vienen con chorizo pero ya va a llegar.
Que cocinen a lamadre de Cavallo y al papá
y a los hijos, si es que tiene
o a su amigo el presidente no le dejen ni los dientes.
Porque Menem, Menem, Menem se lo gana
y no hablemos de pavadas si son todos, traficantes
y sino el sistema qué... y sino el sistema qué... qué.
No me digan se mantiene con la plata de los pobres
eso sólo sirve para mantener algunos pocos.
transan, venden
y es sólo una figurita el que esté de presidente
porque si estaba Alfonsín el que transa es otro gil.
Son todos narcos de los malos,
si te agarran con un gramo
después deque te la pusieron.
Se viene la policía, de seguro que vas preso.
Y así sube, la balanza, el precio también sube,
también sube la venganza.
Y ahora va, y ahora que?.
Son todos narcos y el presidente
es el tipo que mantenga mas tranquila a nuestra gente,
llega plata del lavado,
mientras no salte la bronca el norte no manda palos.

Ay ay ay, uy uy uy
Que me dicen del dedito que le meten en Jujuy?
Ay ay ay, uy uy uy
Que me dicen del dedito que le meten en Jujuy?

Es ese Perro "El Santillan".
si no lo pueden voltear lo van a querer comprar,
con discursos, si no les sale,
son capaz de darle acciones a los grandes mercaderes,
eso no importa, porque el Perro
va dejando otro perrito que le mete a este sistema
el dedito en el culito y cómo sangra y no es el culo,
sino el que sangra y se retuerce
es el gran culo de este mundo,
Adiós el muro Stanilista! los demócratas de mierda
y los forros pacifistas,
todos narcos, todos narcos, todos narcotraficantes,
te transmiten por cadena,
son de caos paranoiquean,
te persiguen si sos puto,
te persiguen si sos pobre,
te persiguen si fumás,
si tomás si vendés,
si fumas si compras
un pobre tonto para hacer para comer
si tomás vendés comprás fumás
y vayanse todos a la concha de su madre
y ahora que?, que nos queda?
Elección o reelección para mí es la misma mierda
Hijos de puta! en el congreso,
hijos de puta en la Rosada
y en todos los ministerios
van cayendo hijos de puta,
que te cagan a patadas...

en la selva se escuchan tiros
son las armas de los pobres,
son los gritos del latino...(x4)
ellos tienen el poder y lo van a perder...
en la selva se escuchan tiros
son las armas de los pobres,
son los gritos del latino...




Best wishes,

Mark

[Mark]

The elections are over, the Argentinian people have chosen. History has been made. Miss Fernández is the first democratic elected female president of Argentina. It's a clear sign that a new wave is wanted, a wave that is willing to change what is deeply embedded in the country.

Miss Fernández awaits an immense task. There are still so many social issues to be handled. She will need all the support, nationally and internationally, she can to tackle to problems ahead and lead Argentina out of the economic malaise that hit the country 6 years ago.

Although I'll always be skeptical about politics in Argentina I do wish Miss Fernández much success during her presidency of Argentina.

Best wishes,

Mark