Ah, the Brazilian right-wing voter is a pathetic figure: he fervently defends an authoritarian candidate, a military-style governance, and meme geopolitics just to avoid being excluded from the small-town barbecue. He shouts "patriot" and parrots conspiracy theories not out of conviction, but to keep friendships intact and avoid being given the stink eye at the bar. Deep down, it’s pure fear of social isolation disguised as ideology.
The merchant is the ultimate example of this cowardice: he votes for the "myth" because if he dares to flirt with the left, the boycott comes quickly and the store closes its doors. "Freedom of expression"? Only in theory – in practice, it’s shut up or go bankrupt. He has no real choice in his vote; he chooses what guarantees revenue and the sign "God above all" in the window so that customers don’t flee.
In the end, these voters are the eternal outcasts of life, those who never fit into the "cool" world of progressives and intellectuals. They cling to bolsonarism like a lifebuoy to finally feel part of something – even if it’s a little club of hypocrites. They are not warriors of the homeland; they are just social failures needing a tribe so they don’t die of loneliness. Congratulations, patriot: your political arousal is false, but at least you don’t eat alone on Christmas.