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Sep
6
Simply Socialism?
Filed Under Barack Obama, socialism | 1 Comment
Investor’s Business Daily fires a shot over the bow of the Democratic campaign ship with a scathing analysis of Barack Obama’s political and economic politics, declaring Barack Obama’s ideas to be socialist.
Writes the IBD editorial board:
Barack Obama’s “Change We Can Believe In” is simply socialism — imposed by stratagem because Americans have never believed in Marxist economics.
Is Barack Obama’s vision of change for America a repackaged version of the failed socialist political theories of the past, like Investor’s Business Daily says?
Does the IBD’s assessment that “Change We Can Believe In” is “simply socialism” change your view of Barack Obama’s politics?
Will the IBD proclamation change the way you plan to vote in November if you had been planning to vote for Barack Obama?
Everyone is welcome to share — Barack Obama and John McCain supporters alike. Just be civil and friendly when discussing your opinions.
Photo: Barack Obama with a Change We Can Believe In campaign sign
Feb
9
Socialist Venezuela Crumbles As Chavez’s Failures Mount
Filed Under Hugo Chavez, economy, liberalism, socialism | 2 Comments
To prevent mistakes in the future, it is always necessary to look to the past.
Wherever it has been tried, history shows socialism eventually fails as governments prove to be inferior to the guiding hand of the marketplace. The failures can be seen in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Cuba. Wherever it has been tried, socialism has proven to be inferior because it ends up destroying the little people who face shortages and despair while the new elites gorge on the spoils of complete control.
Venezuela dictator Hugo Chavez and his country are learning the hard way as socialism’s failures grind what should be a paradise — Venezuela has oil riches — into the ground with economic and social problems.
The elite get luxuries denied to the masses who face food shortages while nationalized industries fail to produce the goods and services needed to grow the economy. Alcohol flows as a way to numb the pain when food is in short supply. Violent crime is up while hope wanes. Underground economies spring up to fill the gaps. Those who don’t go along with the program face the wrath of Hugo Chavez’s soldiers who use fear and intimidation to keep people in line.
Simon Romero of the New York Times reports how socialism is failing the citizens of Venezuela:
These should be the best of times for Venezuela, blessed with the largest conventional oil reserves outside the Middle East and oil prices near record highs. But this country’s economic and social problems have become so acute lately that President Hugo Chávez is facing an unusual onslaught of criticism, even from his own supporters, about his management of the country. …
Mr. Chávez, for perhaps the first time since a recall vote in 2004, is increasingly on the defensive as his efforts to advance Venezuela toward socialism are seen as failing to address a growing list of worries like violent crime and shortages of basic foods.
While Mr. Chávez remains Venezuela’s most powerful political figure, his once unquestionable authority is showing signs of erosion. …
“I cannot find beans, rice, coffee or milk,” said Mirna de Campos, 56, a nurse’s assistant who lives in the gritty district of Los Teques outside Caracas. “What there is to find is whiskey — lots of it.”
The contrast between revolutionary language and the consumption of imported luxury items by a new elite aligned with Mr. Chávez’s government, known as the “Bolivarian bourgeoisie,” has led to questioning of the priorities of his political movement. …
Pedro E. Piñate, an agricultural consultant in the city of Maracay, said: “We live in two countries, one inhabited by officials who think they can alter reality by sending soldiers to intimidate citizens. The other country is where the rest of us live in fear of being killed or kidnapped or of our businesses being seized.”
