
The “old capitalism” paradoxes.
I love my country, Portugal.
On many occasions, either on a personal level or through my ventures, I have had the chance to "escape" to countries where I could significantly increase my income or obtain considerable tax benefits.
However, my heart, faith or circumstances led me to stay. And so I did.
By choosing to stay, I believe that my love and commitment to my people has increased namely by helping raise awareness for aspects that I believe must change. So here it goes.
Quick fact: Portugal has the biggest territory in Europe: land + sea.
But back in the 80’s, an interesting phenomenon occured: our politicians agreed with the E.E.U. to make an abundant territory dependant and miserable. In return we got amazing highways and funds that made a lot of people rich (including many Portuguese politicians)...but not the Portuguese people.
I am writting these words from the beautiful island of São Miguel, in the Azores, one of the most beautiful and abundant places on earth (I mean it!).
Despite being a world-famous producer of milk, cheese, butter, tea, tuna, pinaple, banana, wine, coffee, just to name a few, as we travel the azorean breathtaking landscape and villages, one can clearly notice that Azoreans are poor (the number of drug addicts is increasing which is very telling). So my inquisitive mind wonders: “How is this even possible?!
A local inhabitant tells me something even more shocking: locally produced food is extremely expensive for Azoreans.
Back in the hotel while reading the newspaper in my sea-view balcony, I’m confronted with this article: “Taxes. Portugal is a tax haven for foreigners”.

I get the idea: attract foreign investment from entrepreneurs and retired people to support our economy.
But this is what puzzles me: why does a government provide better living conditions to foreign nationals than to its own people ?
Maybe then we wouldn’t need that much external support…
Why is it that Portuguese entrepreneurs struggle to keep their startups or lifelong family businesses alive, when a red carpet is rolled out to foreign companies?
Are my people — the ones that are farming this land, fishing these waters and risking their lives for generations and struggling to get to the next pay check-- not worthy of the same tax treatment as foreigners?
Don’t get me wrong. I am all for inclusion, and open boarders. Diversity is richness!
What I am strongly against is nonsense, injustice and inhuman behaviours.
The most important piece of this whole equation is this: Why do we allow this to happen? Why are we numb and comfortably unhappy ?
Our history shows that we were the first to venture into the wild oceans even when everybody told us that we couldn’t. Still, we did it.
So it’s time to wake up, get proper education and get involved in the destiny of our country.
Let’s stop the nonsense and bring abundance to all.
From the Azores with love,
Filipa Larangeira
