Lessons from Venezuela

[Hogmauler]

Do any of you think the sheeple of this country are watching what is going on in Venezuela or even care for that matter? Socialism has destroyed the country, chaos reigns, and life goes on as usual for the sheeple/liberals here.

[flyby]

Same could be said about ALOT of countries. Heck, same could be said about Austin or the entire state of California. Why is Venezuela so different, and why should we be more concerned about it?

[lunatic'hunter]

Look at what's happening and take care of your own.

[icetrauma]

No, most people cannot see past their own problems or how they would benefit from a Socialist in office.

[jerp]

All these young idealistic Bernie Sanders supporters need to take look at what is happening in Venezuela. It is a great example at what happens when a government takes complete control of an economy in the name of "fairness and equality". (The very definition of socialism) That country has taken in close to $1 trillion in oil revenues over the last 15 years and now there are breadlines and people dying in hospitals due to lack of medicine. It wasn't too long ago Hollywood libs like Sean Penn and Oliver Stone were down there praising Madera and his socialist paradise. Wonder what they think now?

[cosmiccowboy]

Same could be said about ALOT of countries. Heck, same could be said about Austin or the entire state of California. Why is Venezuela so different, and why should we be more concerned about it?

It's actually quite different. Currency is completely destroyed. Civilization has broken down. 900% inflation. Very little electricity or food. People starving. No beer. End of the world type scenario.

[muzzlebrake]

We are still holding on by a thread. Once drugs are legalized in the USA the thread will break. Bad times are a coming boys.

[Landrover]

I know we do in our household! First thing we said when Bernie began to rise in the polls. "Do these young idiots have any idea what is going on in socialist countries right now?"

Same could be said about ALOT of countries. Heck, same could be said about Austin or the entire state of California. Why is Venezuela so different, and why should we be more concerned about it?

Nada, same cannot be said. Not even comparable on ANY of the parameters that are rampant down there. Well, they are OIL rich just like we are but we are scared to use what we have........lol!

[sir shovelhands]

Well, they are OIL rich just like we are but we are scared to use what we have........lol!

Their dependence upon oil, which is what allowed them to maintain their communist dictatorship, will also be the downfall of their government.

As much as I don't like the price of oil being so low, it has been great for hurting Russian, Venezuela, the Middle East. Not so easy to be ****bags when you don't have any money!


Also, in about a decade we should be producing enough oil / gas to be self-sustainable. Not that it will affect the price, as we run on a global market.

[TimH]

All these young idealistic Bernie Sanders supporters need to take look at what is happening in Venezuela. It is a great example at what happens when a government takes complete control of an economy in the name of "fairness and equality". (The very definition of socialism) That country has taken in close to $1 trillion in oil revenues over the last 15 years and now there are breadlines and people dying in hospitals due to lack of medicine. It wasn't too long ago Hollywood libs like Sean Penn and Oliver Stone were down there praising Madera and his socialist paradise. Wonder what they think now?

The young idealistic Bernie supporters will likely never look beyond the twitter or Facebook feed on their phones.

[Balcones_Walker]

For all its weirdness Austin is *booming*... how are they in any way comparable?

[Tommyh]

Was it socialism or their lack of diversity in major exporting?

[sir shovelhands]

Was it socialism or their lack of diversity in major exporting?

Both. Their economy and government were only propped up by high oil prices. Hard to sell a socialist dictatorship when you can't keep people fed.

Just like how the saudis basically have no say in their government, but are OK with it because they get free gas, education, and employment (something on the order of 90% are government employees). Well since oil prices crashed, they're starting to cut a lot of that off. I foresee Saudi having an upheaval if oil doesn't have a big upturns soon.

[4wheels]

I agree the socialists will not even notice what is happening in Venezuela, Greece, Spain or even Japan. They only see what they want to see. To them Venezuela is failing because of corruption. They don't get that the consolidation of power enables people to dip into the cookie jar and take what is not theirs. They only way they will get it is if they suffer the consequences themselves. And even then - they might not see the root cause.

[47]

All these young idealistic Bernie Sanders supporters need to take look at what is happening in Venezuela. It is a great example at what happens when a government takes complete control of an economy in the name of "fairness and equality". (The very definition of socialism) That country has taken in close to $1 trillion in oil revenues over the last 15 years and now there are breadlines and people dying in hospitals due to lack of medicine. It wasn't too long ago Hollywood libs like Sean Penn and Oliver Stone were down there praising Madera and his socialist paradise. Wonder what they think now?

They're thinking... "Whew, glad my check from Hugo Chavez cleared already."