A president every other country would like to have.

[Real P]

• Tweet

Whatever your own particular "shade" of politics, it's impossible not to be impressed or beguiled by retired Uruguayan president Jose "Pepe" Mujica.

There are idealistic, hard-working and honest politicians the world over - although cynics might argue they're a small minority - but none of them surely comes anywhere close to the just retired Uruguayan president when it comes to living by one's principles.

It's not just for show. Mr Mujica's beat-up old VW Beetle is probably one of the most famous cars in the world and his decision to forgo the luxury of the Presidential Palace is not unique - his successor, Tabare Vazquez, will also probably elect to live at home.

But when you visit "Pepe" at his tiny, one-storey home on the outskirts of Montevideo you realise that the man is as good as his word.

Wearing what could best be described as "casual" clothes - I don't think he's ever been seen wearing a tie - Mr Mujica seats himself down on a simple wooden stool in front of a bookshelf that seems on the verge of collapsing under the weight of biographies and mementoes from his political adversaries and allies.

More at  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-31679475


Here are reasons why he'll be missed:

1. He donated 90 per cent of his $12,000 a month salary to charity

The former president shunned the luxurious lifestyle and was usually seen in casual clothes for official ceremonies and rarely, if ever, wore a tie. By donating 90 per cent of his salary to charity, his income was roughly $ 1200 a month.



2. He lives on a small farm on the outskirts of the capital Montevideo.



"I'm called 'the poorest president', but I don't feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more," he says.

3. He goes to public hospital for healthcare.



While most presidents travel around in chauffeur-driven saloon cars, the former Uruguayan president drove his own beat-up Beetle.

[Kim Jong-Un's Pajama Pants]

The Negro in Kenya would laugh him out of office.  Waiguru is already getting tons of support mostly from tribesmates for working hard.

When Bob Mugabe starts to live like this, I might start to take Omollo's claims about his frugality seriously.  Last I remember, the man still does $2 million birthdays.

[Georgesoros]

In my opinion public money should be spent frugally not extravagantly. Greeks and Argentinians did and they are paying a heavy price.

[MOON Ki]

Zuma can help with ideas for how to spruce up a "house on the farm".