Ilov80s
Footballguy
Fascism is bad, but so is poorly regulated capitalism. All things in balance.FIFY
Fascism is bad, but so is poorly regulated capitalism. All things in balance.FIFY
Chavez truly was the icing on the cake but there were serious issues before he came along - in fact those serious issues made it possible for his populist message to sweep him to power in the first place. Once there, he held on, as populist dictators are wont to do.Venezuela has been dysfunctional for a long time, that's true.
But the Chavezista "miracle" turning the country into a truly failed state isn't a coincidence either.
That makes Maduro a rancid cherry on top.Chavez truly was the icing on the cake but there were serious issues before he came along - in fact those serious issues made it possible for his populist message to sweep him to power in the first place. Once there, he held on, as populist dictators are wont to do.
Yeah, he clearly lacks in the prime requisite for a populist dictator: CharismaThat makes Maduro a rancid cherry on top.
It will be interesting to see if the opposition is able to amount enough resistance to create a full scale civil war and then will China and Russia back Maduro? Will any western countries back the other side?Thems the facts
I'd have chosen another word than interesting. That aside I do not believe that the superpowers will actively show support any of the parties.It will be interesting to see if the opposition is able to amount enough resistance to create a full scale civil war and then will China and Russia back Maduro? Will any western countries back the other side?
He didn't need it. Chavez' government had become so totalitarian it no longer required a charismatic leader. It just needed someone willing to be ruthless.Yeah, he clearly lacks in the prime requisite for a populist dictator: Charisma
Well, the people on the streets clearly disagreeHe didn't need it. Chavez' government had become so totalitarian it no longer required a charismatic leader. It just needed someone willing to be ruthless.
I'm not going to struggle over wording (is 'no better/worse') because I agree with you at essence. I think it does show how hard it is to be (in every other administration) US President. What could we have done to make things better there pre-Chavez? Was Venezuela really any more decadent than say Colombia or Chile? I wish the best for the people there. I do think there is something to vast inequities and oppression always carrying this risk.Right but perhaps people like Castro never come to power if it was not for the dictator and criminal Batista running amok of democracy and the rights of the Cubans, selling anything he could to America for a profit at the expense of the Cuban people. He was no better than Castro.The far right, far left, extreme socialism and extreme capitalism are all bad imo and certain to bring ruin to the average person.
- ABCVote tampering claims jolt Venezuela on eve of new assembly
Revelations on Wednesday that turnout figures were apparently manipulated in a crucial vote for an all-powerful constituent assembly in Venezuela cast a deeper shadow over the controversial body shortly before it was to convene.
The official count of voters in Sunday's election was off by at least 1 million, according to the head of the voting technology firm Smartmatic — a finding certain to sow further discord over a body that has been granted vast authority to rewrite Venezuela's constitution and override every branch of government.
Results recorded by Smartmatic's systems and those reported by Venezuela's National Electoral Council show "without any doubt" that the official turnout figure of more than 8 million voters was tampered with, company CEO Antonio Mugica told reporters in London. The international software company has provided voting technology in Venezuela since 2004.
Mugica said there was a 1 million vote discrepancy, but he did not specify whether his company's figures showed 1 million fewer, or 1 million more, voters participated in the election.
"Even in moments of deep political conflict and division we have been satisfied with the voting process and the count has been completely accurate" previously in Venezuela, Mugica said. "It is, therefore, with the deepest regret that we have to report that the turnout figures on Sunday, 30 July, for the constituent assembly in Venezuela were tampered with." ...
From what I've read GDP has dropped by 1/3rd since Chavez took over.I realize the situation in Venezuela has moved past being just an economic disaster, but this chart...man.
During his tenure, that fall was primarily due to the decreased value of oil. Lots of economic problems could be papered over with oil at $100. He obviously made the situation tremendously worse through the nationalizing of many industries and consumable goods companies. Also oil production decreased due to poor management and misinvestment.SaintsInDome2006 said:From what I've read GDP has dropped by 1/3rd since Chavez took over.
This is pretty fascinating
the senator accused the Venezuelan official of involvement in drug trafficking, which Cabello Rondon has denied.
What better way to prove you aren't involved in drug trafficking than to put out a hit on the guy that disrespected you.“CABELLO RONDON did indeed issue an order ... to have Senator Rubio assassinated,”
Never underestimate the extent "leaders" will let the masses starve to maintain their own grip on power.>>Financial and political analysts said the new sanctions would not represent a lethal blow to Mr. Maduro’s government. But many say its survival over the next year is in serious doubt, partly because of continuing problems raising money to pay interest on its onerous debts while paying for food imports.<<
- Let's hope this proves to be the case. What a disaster.
That's hyperinflation.Maduro raises minimum wage by 40% with inflation at an estimated 2000%.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/venezuela-raises-minimum-wage-40-percent-stoking-worlds-fastest-inflation/ar-BBHzLSf?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
Technically what we have here in Denmark is not socialism. But neither is what they have in Venezuela.Maybe it should be bumped whenever there's notable examples of kleptocracy and cult of personality because those are the root cause of this situation, not socialism. Otherwise, you'd see similar things in Denmark or Finland.
Venezuela has a version of socialism, as have many other failed states. Socialism almost always settles in as a two class system - those equal at the bottom and the ruling class equals.Maybe it should be bumped whenever there's notable examples of kleptocracy and cult of personality because those are the root cause of this situation, not socialism.
nothing much unless you want the United States to country build moreThe infant malnutrition is horrid. Children literally starving to death. What can we do about it though?
Always a hard choice with despots like we have here. Support the population and you help solidify the leadership that has decimated the country. Don't and people suffer.Gawain said:The infant malnutrition is horrid. Children literally starving to death. What can we do about it though?
I expected one a year ago, but it didn't happen. I guess the military brass is still getting their cut from the drug trade.They're down to the government trying to barter diamonds and other (probably illusory) goods for medicine.
Hard to see how this gets worse. I expect a coup soon.
Sounds straight from a horror flick.
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Reuters: While Maduro was speaking about Venezuela’s economy, the audio suddenly went. He and others on the podium suddenly looked up, looking startled. The camera then panned to scores of soldiers who started running, before the transmission was cut.
4:00 PM - 4 Aug 2018
I’ve heard that Venezuela had the highest income in CA/SA/Carib once.I lived and worked in Caracas in 1994/1995 .......... a whole different world/society
Coup attempt, he’ll of a thing.Conflict News @Conflicts
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Conflict News Retweeted Roman Camacho
MORE: An armed drone dropped explosives near President Maduro, injuring 7 people. Maduro reportedly unharmed.
It did. But the wealth distribution grew increasingly wide, and the politicians that ran the alternated power before Chávez really only brief to enrich their buddies, albeit within a society that operated with rules and laws. Chávez upended that order, promising to give the people that were only getting crumbs a voice and access to more of the country's wealth.I’ve heard that Venezuela had the highest income in CA/SA/Carib once.
His largesse on the oil contracts with his allies didn't help either, particularly when the prices started droppingIt did. But the wealth distribution grew increasingly wide, and the politicians that ran the alternated power before Chávez really only brief to enrich their buddies, albeit within a society that operated with rules and laws. Chávez upended that order, promising to give the people that were only getting crumbs a voice and access to more of the country's wealth.
What happened is that Chávez wrecked the economy because he and his advisors didn't understand how it worked. He gave the poor more, that's true, but these benefits didn't last as the largess was unsustainable, especially when combined with terrible fiscal policy and more importantly expropriating many of the most productive industries and private companies and running them into the ground by installing cronies who didn't know anything.
It's a sad, sad tale of what happens when the have nots get some power and invest it in a cult of personality that makes terrible decisions.
Can I make a comparison? It's orange.....It's a sad, sad tale of what happens when the have nots get some power and invest it in a cult of personality that makes terrible decisions.
Yup. Just compounding stupid for years on years. I have watched that country and it's people slip into economic despair. The decline didn't happen overnight, but the rebuilding (whenever it starts) will take even longer as so many people have left and won't return.His largesse on the oil contracts with his allies didn't help either, particularly when the prices started dropping
There are some, but the US has a more robust system of government that is unlikely to tear up the constitution to allow Trump truly unfettered power indefinitely. Also, it's unlikely that Trump will expropriate whole industries and hand them over to his buddies.Can I make a comparison? It's orange.....
I like your optimism here, GB.There are some, but the US has a more robust system of government that is unlikely to tear up the constitution to allow Trump truly unfettered power indefinitely. Also, it's unlikely that Trump will expropriate whole industries and hand them over to his buddies.
Also, Chávez definitely won power legitimately with a big majority... at least the first term. Trump may have won legitimately, but he certainly didn't win a majority of the popular vote.
Also, sorry to Americanize this.I like your optimism here, GB.