VENEZUELA - Why isn't socialism working?

Dumpington

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I'm surprised that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and/or Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez haven't travelled down to Venezuela to advise that nation's Castro-wannabee dictator Nicolás Maduro on how to fix his nation's terrible problems. Meanwhile, the Antifa-crowd in this country have joined with Cuba, Russia, & China to DEFEND the Maduro regime, insisting that socialism REALLY IS good for the people there! Christopher Gage posted the following on the American Greatness web-page:

It’ll Work This Time

A favorite Saturday activity of mine involves chatting with a merry band of socialists who clot on a main street near me. Dreadlocked, dreary, and decked in alarming red, they implore every passersby somehow to stop U.S. “imperialism” in Venezuela. From outside of a Starbucks a mere 4,738 miles away. Most of us drenched in false consciousness prefer shuffling around, buying things we don’t need, and documenting our largely pointless existence via Instagram. The apparent injustice roiling in South America doesn’t resonate.

Student-aged girls snap selfies. Trundle a yard. Snap another selfie. For a tapestry of late capitalism, they at least seem happy. But the socialists are not. President Maduro’s Venezuela is “under attack.” When I ask how this may be, my socialist friend, an adolescent of 35, crumples his cheeks.

Maduro was elected by the people, man. And I haven’t got time to discuss this, anyway.”

What is strange is that he didn’t have time to discuss a subject of which he took time to daub on a placard. And the time to stand on a shivering high street. Nothing says ponderous silence like bellowing into a megaphone. I wanted to ask why 3 million Venezuelans had recently fled the country. Why 93 percent of those left live in poverty. Why nine in every 10 say they don’t have enough to eat. I have nothing better to do on Saturdays. But my comrade slurred into incantations. Fist in the air. Garbled something in Spanglish.

Until recently, Venezuela was the model for the Left. Indeed, our own Jeremy Corbyn, AOC’s new BFF, habitually lauded the Venezuelan dream. At least, he did until people began dining on zoo animals.

Because the Venezuela of reality is now inconvenient. That’s why you won’t hear Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) talk much about it. Corbyn and his pals here insist on “caution.” That Maduro was elected by the people. A courtesy not extended to President Trump.

The reality must never besmirch the idea. An idea Maduro is so committed to, he told reporters this week that humanitarian aid is not welcome. It would humiliate his people.

We are not beggars. You want to come humiliate Venezuela and I will not let our people be humiliated,” he told state TV.

Perhaps those people are already humiliated. Once the wealthiest nation in South America, Venezuela, sitting atop vast oil reserves, is now a jumble of crises. There’s little food, medicine, drinkable water. Diseases of yesteryear enjoy a renaissance. Gangs maraud. Mothers pick through garbage. Allowing such aid, bequeathed by the American gringo oppressors, would be to admit failure. That the grand quixotic project has indeed joined every other socialist experiment in abject ruin.

This time it’ll be different. What animates the likes of Corbyn, and AOC, is what allows socialism to endure. Ostensibly “for the people,” socialism is a deeply individual creed—littering history with the self-convinced. This time, they will get it right. Alexandria Ocasion-Cortez thinks she will. She also thinks President Trump, in his State of the Union address, tried to “confuse the public” by linking the horrors of socialism with the horrors of Venezuela.

The president’s “ad hominem” attack was a luculent attempt to “throw people off the scent of the trail,” presumably of the real socialism for which AOC, and every other socialist figurehead in history fights, and has fought. And died. Alongside millions of others who once fancied (or not) the idea, too.
But those are troublesome details that obscure the bigger better picture. And what AOC offers is a falsely moderate dilution. An elixir which she rightly said found popularity with the American people.

Meanwhile, the families of Maduro, and his predecessor Hugo Chavez, enjoy levels of wealth the modern Democrats once would have regarded as obscene.

Socialism is never sold on the reality which conjures millions to flee its wonder. Which is why its adherents try and try again. As if tinkering with the radioactive mixture will eventually produce limitless helpings of utopian broth. President Trump knows better. In an address shorn of base-baiting attacks, Trump-plus-charm even had some white-capes on their feet. Just none for AOC as when he blamed “socialist policies” for dragging Venezuela into “abject poverty and despair.”

In a clear pivot to his re-election campaign, Trump foraged Republican and Democratic plains for the better of ideas, a gathering palatable to most Americans.
What better than to contrast this with the competitive extremism of Democratic hopefuls taking cues from AOC’s media drip-feed. At 29, she can’t run for president. But the Democrats’ eventual nominee will sound an awful lot like her. And when they fail, it’ll be the fault of imaginary oppressors. Of “imperialism.” Never themselves. Which is why that merry band of socialists will turn up outside the Starbucks each week with a new enemy to deplore. Because it’ll work this time.


Defending the oppressive Venezuelan Maduro regime and the socialist economic agenda that's destroyed his country is NOT a winning issue for America's Democrats. But don't expect Bernie or Alexandria to address that issue anytime soon, as they still see it as a path to power within their own pro-socialist party!
 
It's their fucking country, why are we sticking our nose in their business? We have fucked up all of Central America, Viet Nam, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Haven't we done enough?

This is just like Libya, and Hillary's hysteria about "Evil Dictator Massacring" his opposition. The French and Italians wanted to get in on Libya's oil, but hadn't made the investment in anti radar technology, so they blew smoke up Hillary and Obama's asses to convince us to get the oil for them.

The Venezuela issue isn't Socialism, it's EXXON's ability to dominate the Oil Bidness.

Wake up and smell the NAPALM!:rolleyes:
 
To answer your question, Socialism does not work, never has and never will, at least not on any kind of a scale. That even includes in a relatively small country such as Venezuela. The reason is there is no incentive to excel. Under Socialism, if I work my ass off, the remuneration will be X. If I goof off constantly, it will still be X. Therefore, why should I work my ass off?
 
Venezuela, like other countries, has been wrecked by those elected as socialists who were really robber barons.

They don't believe in serving the people, just helping themselves to a life of luxury at the people's expense.
 
JackLuis writes: "It's their fucking country, why are we sticking our nose in their business? We have fucked up all of Central America, Viet Nam, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Haven't we done enough?"

You forgot to include Nazi Germany in your list of nations that the United States has "fucked up" in the past century Jack. Yes, Germany was Hitler's own fucking country in the 1930's & early 1940's, but I'm very pleased that we didn't leave the Nazis alone, as you seemingly suggest.

Meanwhile, in the case of Venezuela, we HAVE left that nation alone. But now that the Venezuelan people have chosen a new president (Juan Guaido), the U.S.A., ALL of the Latin American democracies, & our European Union allies now recognize GUAIDO as the democratically elected leader of Venezuela over wannabee-dictator, Nicolas Maduro.

Russia's Vladimir Putin, China's Communist government, the oppressive Cuban dictatorial regime, and many socialists within the U.S. Democratic Party are the ONLY people still openly backing Maduro.

"The Venezuela issue isn't Socialism, it's EXXON's ability to dominate the Oil Bidness."

No, the problem with Venezuela is DEFINITELY socialism, and if EXXON wants to make a deal regarding that nation's oil exports they need to work with the legitimate president of Venezuela: Juan Guaido - and NOT the wealthy socialist thugs in the Maduro regime who have been plundering their own people!

Boxlicker101 writes: "To answer your question, Socialism does not work, never has and never will, at least not on any kind of a scale."

oggbashan adds: "Venezuela, like other countries, has been wrecked by those elected as socialists who were really robber barons."

Venezuela is a huge embarrassment for American socialists like Bernie Sanders & Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have been trying to implement exactly that kind of a hellish economic nightmare right here in the United States. Deep down, you KNOW they want Maduro to survive, and you can bet that if Bernie was America's president today we wouldn't have recognized the government of Juan Guaido!
 
It's their fucking country, why are we sticking our nose in their business? We have fucked up all of Central America, Viet Nam, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Haven't we done enough?

Iraq, Syria, Central America, Viet Nam and Afghanistan were fucked long before we got there, but as much as you hate the USA I can see why you want to blame us for their being a shit holes.

The Venezuela issue isn't Socialism, it's EXXON's ability to dominate the Oil Bidness.

LOL keep protecting your precious anti-American ideology there.

Exxon has nothing to do with their internal politics you fool.
 
Venezuela, like other countries, has been wrecked by those elected as socialists who were really robber barons.

They don't believe in serving the people, just helping themselves to a life of luxury at the people's expense.

Ogg...more M'arican than Jack Louis. ;)
 
Venezuela, like other countries, has been wrecked by those elected as socialists who were really robber barons.

They don't believe in serving the people, just helping themselves to a life of luxury at the people's expense.

Socialists hardly ever get elected. Mostly, and usually with outside help, they overthrow the governments who are elected or those who have scored a coup. Allende is the only exception to come to mind, and he was elected with only about one third of the votes cast.
 
. Allende is the only exception to come to mind, and he was elected with only about one third of the votes cast.

Well Box, thanks for reminding us that he wasn't the only complete fuckwit elected with a minority of the votes cast. :rolleyes:
 
JackLuis writes: "It's their fucking country, why are we sticking our nose in their business? We have fucked up all of Central America, Viet Nam, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Haven't we done enough?"

You forgot to include Nazi Germany in your list of nations that the United States has "fucked up" in the past century Jack. Yes, Germany was Hitler's own fucking country in the 1930's & early 1940's, but I'm very pleased that we didn't leave the Nazis alone, as you seemingly suggest.

Germany declared war on us. They got what they wanted, five Million pissed off Russians.

America is now the largest Oil/Gas Exporter in the world, but Bolton wants to make Venezuela safe for "American Investment". Trumpski want a distraction from his dumb fuckery, neither care how many casualties will be required.

Unfucking Venezuela will take a lot more than 100,000 Americans dieing in the dirt, and 50 billzillon bombs from B-52's. However I'll bet it would all be over quickly if we armed all the Neo-Con chickenhawkls and sent them down to "make things right'.
 
JackLuis writes: "Germany declared war on us. They got what they wanted, five Million pissed off Russians."

Before June 22, 1941, the Communist Party here in the United States was ANTI-WAR, and didn't want us helping the British or the French in any way. That's because Russia was basically allied with Nazi Germany beginning back in late August of 1939, when they signed a non-aggression pact with Hitler, secretly dividing-up eastern Europe into "spheres of influence," with Russia getting eastern Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and portions of Rumania. They were ALSO supposed to get Finland, but the Finns fought back.

Of course, after Hitler invaded the Soviet Union to open the summer of '41, all of that changed, and Stalin ordered Communist parties worldwide to condemn Germany and strongly urge countries like the United States to get involved in helping the allies. Had Germany not attacked Russia, the world's Marxist-socialists would have remained stridently anti-war.

"...Bolton wants to make Venezuela safe for "American Investment". Trumpski want a distraction from his dumb fuckery, neither care how many casualties will be required."

Bolton & Trump didn't create the socialist hell-hole that Venezuela has become. The Venezuelan people have elected a NEW leader recognized by the United States, nearly all of the democracies of the western hemisphere, and those nations making up the European Union. Those nations STILL recognizing the oppressive & corrupt socialist Maduro regime as the legitimate government in Venezuela include Russia, China, & Cuba!
 
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Under Socialism, if I work my ass off, the remuneration will be X. If I goof off constantly, it will still be X. Therefore, why should I work my ass off?
How is it any different under capitalism when you're a salaried employee? You'd get paid the same whether you work 40 hours a week or 80.
 
Nothing works very well in the third world. The closest approximation to democratic socialism is social democracy. By criteria I favor social democracy is superior to American casino capitalism, where the odds favor the house. Nevertheless, social democracy has only worked well in countries where virtually everyone is white. Multi racialism is the death wish of social democracy.

Unfortunately, the same kind of whites who favor social democracy usually believe that racial differences in behavior and performance do not matter, or do not exist. They are unable to understand the mentalities of individuals and races that are less evolved than they are. Third world peoples bring crime, welfare expense, and terrorism with them.
 
To answer your question, Socialism does not work, never has and never will, at least not on any kind of a scale. That even includes in a relatively small country such as Venezuela. The reason is there is no incentive to excel. Under Socialism, if I work my ass off, the remuneration will be X. If I goof off constantly, it will still be X. Therefore, why should I work my ass off?
Under capitalism someone who inherits wealth can live in luxury without doing any work at all.
 
Under capitalism someone who inherits wealth can live in luxury without doing any work at all.
I found out that hard work, thrift and time earned me the kind of wealth that you appreciate.

Anyone in this country can succeed given those three criteria.
Too many Americans only get one or two out of three.
Too many Americans have no clue how to invest.
Many Americans spend faster than they earn.
Then, they blame Capitalism or greed.
 
I found out that hard work, thrift and time earned me the kind of wealth that you appreciate.

Anyone in this country can succeed given those three criteria.
Too many Americans only get one or two out of three.
Too many Americans have no clue how to invest.
Many Americans spend faster than they earn.
Then, they blame Capitalism or greed.

Galbraith-selfishness-wist_info.jpg
 
I found out that hard work, thrift and time earned me the kind of wealth that you appreciate.

Anyone in this country can succeed given those three criteria.
Too many Americans only get one or two out of three.
Too many Americans have no clue how to invest.
Many Americans spend faster than they earn.
Then, they blame Capitalism or greed.
Hard work, honesty, common decency, and self discipline will not make one rich. Many rich people, like Donald Trump, have none of those characteristics. Those who are not born rich cannot achieve wealth without good genes and good luck. Hard work alone leads to nothing but exhaustion and failure.
 
It took millions upon millions of acts of selfishness to get where are today.

I takes a concerted effort to downplay and denigrate the vast wealth that we are heir to.

I guess maybe you are of such philanthropic leanings that you give away every penny not involved in food and shelter.

Not me. I do everything that I possible can to grow my wealth. This is what a true human being does. I have no hand out for handouts.
 
Wealth envy is probably the worst sin of all. Even murder is just a temporary loss of control, but self-induced poverty is a crime against all of humanity.
 
Wealth envy is probably the worst sin of all. Even murder is just a temporary loss of control, but self-induced poverty is a crime against all of humanity.
In Venezuela and Sri Lanka, poverty isn't self-induced. It is government-created.
 
I am sorry for you failures. It seems to have left you bitter.
I assume that you believe that your lack of success must be the fault of someone else, some rich guy/gal...
 
In Venezuela and Sri Lanka, poverty isn't self-induced. It is government-created.
No argument here. Venezuela is oil rich, but then I've often heard it intimated that warm climates produce a mañana culture. It seems to take winter to really drive need(s).
 
Manana culture? Not for most Venezuelans. they have to struggle just to feed their families since the country is such a basket case.
 
Nothing works very well in the third world. The closest approximation to democratic socialism is social democracy. By criteria I favor social democracy is superior to American casino capitalism, where the odds favor the house. Nevertheless, social democracy has only worked well in countries where virtually everyone is white. Multi racialism is the death wish of social democracy.

Unfortunately, the same kind of whites who favor social democracy usually believe that racial differences in behavior and performance do not matter, or do not exist. They are unable to understand the mentalities of individuals and races that are less evolved than they are. Third world peoples bring crime, welfare expense, and terrorism with them.
Most of the terrorism that happens in the US is done by white trash.
 
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