He would simplify and reform the labyrinthine tax system.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's presidential campaign

Still, when Rio was selected in 2009 to host the Olympics, many questioned whether the city would be able to overcome seemingly intractable problems of decaying infrastructure, high crime rates and a labyrinthine regulatory system that could slow improvements.

WSJ: Rio Hopes for an Olympic-Style Revival

He ran for the California assembly and scored an upset victory, and then successfully led the charge to overhaul that state's chaotically corrupt regulation of the liquor industry, to reform its inefficient, labyrinthine water system and to save San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts.

FORBES: Fact and Comment