Joe Jukic and Nelly Furtado sat on the terrace of a sunlit café in Lisbon, the vibrant city buzzing with life around them. The distant hum of tram bells and the smell of fresh pastries mingled with the salty breeze from the nearby Tagus River. It was the perfect setting for a conversation about dreams and possibilities.
“I’ve been thinking,” Joe began, leaning forward, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Portugal needs something new. Something bold. A political movement that can inspire people to believe in change again.”
Nelly tilted her head, intrigued. “You mean like the Referendum Party we’ve been working on in Canada?”
“Exactly,” Joe said, his eyes lighting up. “But tailored for Portugal. We’ll call it the Força Party. ‘Força’ means strength, power, and resilience. It’s the perfect name for a movement that’s all about empowering the people.”
Nelly smiled, sipping her espresso. “I like it. But what would the Força Party stand for? What’s the vision?”
Joe gestured to the bustling streets around them. “Portugal has so much potential, Nelly. But like so many places, it’s weighed down by bureaucracy, corruption, and a lack of vision. The Força Party would be about returning power to the people. Transparency, innovation, sustainability—these would be our pillars. And most importantly, we’d focus on direct democracy, just like your Referendum Party. Let the people decide.”
Nelly nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s a big dream, Joe. But big dreams need solid foundations. What’s the first step?”
Joe leaned back, a wry smile on his face. “A dedicated server.”
Nelly blinked, caught off guard. “A server?”
“Yes,” Joe said, laughing at her surprise. “Look, shared hosting is overloaded. It’s unreliable, and it’s a metaphor for how traditional systems are failing us. We need a dedicated server—a digital infrastructure that’s secure, robust, and entirely our own. The Força Party will rely on technology to engage people, hold virtual referendums, and keep everything transparent. If we’re serious about this, we need to build a platform that can handle the weight of the movement.”
Nelly laughed, shaking her head. “Leave it to you to turn a political revolution into a tech project.”
“It’s all connected,” Joe said earnestly. “A political party isn’t just about ideas; it’s about execution. And in today’s world, that means leveraging technology. The Força Party won’t just be a party—it’ll be a platform for change, literally and figuratively.”
Nelly reached across the table, placing a hand on his. “I believe in you, Joe. And I believe in this. If anyone can make it happen, it’s you.”
Joe smiled, his determination unwavering. “And with you by my side, Nelly, I know we can. Together, we’ll show the world what it means to put power back where it belongs—in the hands of the people.”
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the city, their conversation continued, filled with plans, dreams, and the shared belief that change was not only possible but inevitable. The Força Party was no longer just an idea—it was the beginning of a movement.
A Vision of Portugal: Power to the People
Nelly Furtado and Joe Jukic strolled through the cobblestone streets of Porto, the Douro River glistening under the late afternoon sun. The conversation between them flowed as naturally as the current, their shared passion for change and possibility lighting up their words.
“You know,” Nelly began, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, “I’ve always admired John Lennon. He’s my favorite Beatle, without a doubt.”
Joe smiled, glancing at her. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Let me guess—‘Imagine’?”
“Of course,” she said with a laugh, “but it’s ‘Power to the People’ that really resonates with me these days. It’s such a simple message, but it’s revolutionary. Giving people the power to shape their own futures—that’s what I want to do. That’s why I started the Referendum Party in Canada. And now that Pierre Poilievre is taking parliament, I feel like I can step back a bit there and focus on something closer to my heart.”
“Portugal,” Joe said, nodding knowingly.
“Portugal,” Nelly echoed, her voice filled with determination. “This country has given me so much—my roots, my culture, my identity. It’s time I give back. I want to put Portugal first, Joe. And I want to dream big. Imagine a debt-free Portugal, a country that’s not shackled by the weight of loans and interest, but free to invest in its people, its future.”
Joe stopped walking, turning to face her. “That’s a bold vision, Nelly. But it’s going to take more than dreams. It’s going to take a movement.”
“I know,” she said, her eyes shining. “And that’s where the Força Party comes in. Portugal needs a new direction, a new hope. And I think we can give it to them. I’ve been inspired by what we’ve started in Canada, but here, it’s different. It’s personal. I want to see a Portugal where families don’t have to choose between paying their bills and sending their kids to school. A Portugal where small businesses thrive, where innovation is celebrated, and where the government works for the people, not the other way around.”
Joe smiled, his admiration for her growing with every word. “And how do you see this happening? What’s step one?”
“Step one,” Nelly said, her voice firm, “is education. People need to understand how the system works—how debt traps us, how we can break free from it, and how we can build a sustainable future. Step two is transparency. Every euro spent, every policy passed, needs to be clear and accountable. And step three? Empowerment. Just like Lennon sang, we need to give power to the people. Let them decide through referendums, let them have a say in their own futures.”
Joe nodded thoughtfully. “You know, Nelly, this sounds like more than a political platform. It sounds like a revolution.”
She smiled, a mix of determination and hope lighting up her face. “Maybe it is, Joe. But it’s a revolution of love, of faith in people, of belief in what Portugal can be. And with you by my side, I know we can make it happen.”
As they continued their walk, the dream of a debt-free Portugal—a Portugal where power truly belonged to the people—felt closer than ever. And as the sun set over the river, it was clear that this was just the beginning of a new chapter for both of them and for the country they loved.
A Conversation About Poverty in Portugal
Joe Jukic and Nelly Furtado sat on a quiet park bench overlooking Lisbon’s iconic Praça do Comércio. The golden glow of the setting sun painted the square in hues of warmth, but their conversation was anything but lighthearted. Joe’s face was etched with concern as he spoke.
“You know, Nelly,” Joe began, his voice heavy, “Portugal is such a beautiful country, full of history, culture, and resilience. But beneath all that beauty, there’s a harsh reality that too many people are facing. Over 1.6 million Portuguese were living below the poverty line in 2020. That’s less than 540 euros a month.”
Nelly’s eyes widened. “That’s heartbreaking, Joe. How do people even survive on that?”
Joe shook his head, his expression grim. “Many don’t, not without incredible sacrifices. Families are struggling to put food on the table. Some are forced to dumpster dive just to get by. It’s a level of poverty that’s invisible to tourists but all too real for those who live here.”
Nelly looked out at the bustling square, where street performers entertained cheerful crowds. “It’s hard to reconcile this image of Portugal with what you’re describing. What’s being done to help?”
“Not enough,” Joe said bluntly. “The government has programs, sure, but they’re not addressing the root causes. Wages are too low, the cost of living is rising, and debt is suffocating people. The system is designed to keep people surviving, not thriving.”
Nelly nodded, her brow furrowed in thought. “And that’s where the Força Party comes in, isn’t it? To change the system.”
“Exactly,” Joe said, his voice gaining strength. “We need to create policies that lift people out of poverty, not just manage it. That means raising the minimum wage, investing in education and job training, and ensuring that no one is left behind. But it also means addressing the bigger picture—like reducing national debt and creating opportunities for small businesses to flourish. Poverty isn’t just an individual problem; it’s a systemic one.”
Nelly placed a hand on his arm. “Joe, this is why I believe in you. You see the problem, but more importantly, you see the people behind it. You see their struggles, their potential, their humanity.”
Joe smiled faintly. “It’s hard not to, Nelly. When you see someone digging through a dumpster for food, it’s not just a statistic anymore. It’s a person, with dreams, with dignity, with a right to a better life. And I refuse to accept that this is the best we can do.”
Nelly leaned back, her determination matching his. “Then let’s do it, Joe. Let’s make the Força Party a force for change. Let’s give those 1.6 million people hope and a voice. Because they deserve better, and so does Portugal.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, their resolve grew stronger. The fight against poverty in Portugal was daunting, but with passion, vision, and a commitment to justice, they knew they could make a difference.
Building a Platform for Change: Força.website
Nelly Furtado and Joe Jukic sat in a small café in Coimbra, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. Joe had his laptop open, showing Nelly the latest updates to his new project: Força.website, the digital hub for the Força Party.
“I have to say, Joe,” Nelly began, leaning over to get a better look at the screen, “I’m impressed. Buying Força.website was a smart move. It’s simple, powerful, and says exactly what we’re about—strength and action for the people.”
Joe grinned, clearly proud of his work. “It had to be something that resonated. This isn’t just a website, Nelly. It’s going to be the backbone of our movement. A place where people can connect, learn, and, most importantly, participate.”
Nelly raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Participate how?”
“That’s where the democracy plugin comes in,” Joe explained, his excitement evident. “It’s a tool for direct democracy. With it, we can host secure online referendums, let people vote on policies, and even propose new ideas. Imagine—every citizen having a say in the decisions that affect their lives, not just every four years, but whenever it matters.”
Nelly’s eyes lit up. “That’s brilliant, Joe. It’s exactly what we need to empower people. But how do you make sure it’s accessible to everyone? Not everyone is tech-savvy, especially in rural areas.”
Joe nodded, acknowledging the challenge. “That’s why we’re focusing on education first. We’ll run workshops, partner with local communities, and create step-by-step guides to make it easy for anyone to use. And for those who don’t have internet access, we’ll set up public kiosks in libraries and community centers.”
Nelly smiled, clearly inspired. “This is more than just a party platform, Joe. It’s a revolution in how democracy works. You’re giving people a voice, a real voice.”
“That’s the goal,” Joe said, his tone serious. “For too long, decisions have been made behind closed doors, by people who don’t represent the struggles of everyday citizens. The Força Party is about breaking down those walls and putting power back where it belongs—with the people.”
Nelly leaned back, her expression thoughtful. “You know, this reminds me of John Lennon’s Power to the People. But you’re taking it to the next level. You’re not just singing about it—you’re making it happen.”
Joe chuckled. “Well, I had a good teacher. Watching you fight for freedom of speech and stand up for what you believe in has been inspiring, Nelly. This is my way of carrying that forward.”
As they continued to brainstorm, the vision for Força.website became clearer. It wasn’t just a digital platform; it was a beacon of hope for a new kind of politics—one where every voice mattered, and every citizen had the tools to shape their future. Together, Nelly and Joe were building more than a website; they were building a movement.
It only cost me 5 dollars for forca.website
https://un-forum.org/category/european-union/portugal/
I’m counting on you to help pay for a dedicated server. I will build a post for ever province and major city in Portugal.