Are we supposed to ignore the thriving socialist economies of South America?

Question

Should we only hear the rhetoric of the far right - the corporate representatives who's mantra is "ours is the only system that works(for us)"?

Source(s)
http://www.cepr.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=373

Answer 1

We are supposed to ignore that. They don't want us to know another way is possible and viable.

For me what's happening in Venezuela gives me hope for the future. Despite the far right rhetoric is Chavez an elected and popular leader who proofs socialism Democracy and prosperity can co exist. Very hopeful for the future.

Their is an alternative for jungle capitalism and that's proved all around the world daily despite the efforts of the reactionary right to silence and demonize the left

Answer 2

Thank you for the link. I have been hungry for unbiased information about the economies of Venezuela and other South American countries. At least for a point of view that was not the standard US corporate media line.
In the past the US has defaulted to arm intervention and subversive activities to upset Latino American attempts to rule themselves without the US economic dictates. It would not surprise me at all, if some of the new leaders in South America were assassinated or overthrown with the help of the CIA.

Answer 3

I think you misinterpret the thrust of that article. With the end of the Cold War, the need to prop up failed dictatorships is over, and there's been a move towards democracy. If those democracies tend to lean a little to left, that's not a terrible thing. Social-democracies like Canada, the USA, and most EU member states can work to some degree, for quite a while - thier failures aren't so dramatic as those of hard-core communism, since they do have some market mechanisms left to drive growth, and economic growth can patch over quite a lot of failed socialist programs. And they are better than dictatorships - that is, when they don't /lead/ to dictatorship, as seems to be the case in Venezuela.

Answer 4

Thriving?

Ummm hate to break it to you but millions of people fleeing, oppressive government and fear from political reprisal does not exactly point to "thriving" anything except fear.

I have family in central and south America and I assure you millions of people are suffering at the hands of people like Chavez. Just because People like Cindy Sheehan and Sean Penn tell you things there are great you should not believe it.

In a thriving economy kidnapping would not be the biggest money making options and Murder for hire and extortion are not considered reputable careers. Believe me these "thriving socialist economies" are packed to the gills with corruption and suffering.

Don't believe me? I could direct you to the grave of an uncle who was kidnapped and murdered. How about the cousins I had who are buried near by him? If the socialist world is so great why are people in Venezuela running to Colombia? And trust me if you are running to Colombia for safety you must be afraid.

Here is an idea go down and live with the people, even for only a week and you tell me how "thriving" the economy and the countries really are compared to your life here.

Answer 5

I was born in South America. We left because the economy was bad and jobs were lost. People are still trying to come here today. Sure, there is a lot of money to be made from Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela but the people don't benefit. Is the politicians who are holding all the money. The people aren't happy there, they want change. Sadly, they've elected these socialist leaders because the previous ones failed and they think these leaders would do better. But they won't. South America is slowly become communist and they are going to end up like Cuba.

Answer 6

i'm unsure that your good judgment is entirely precise. first of all, the assumption of your question is that Obama and human beings on the left (no longer unavoidably left-wing "socialists") have those rules with a view to harm the financial device. that's absurd. Taxes would be raised (on the wealthiest human beings) to fund classes that would help the country's infrastructure and intensely some center type families. standard wellness care (which below Obama's plan isn't unfastened wellness care or socialized medicine) is designed to furnish medical care to hundreds of thousands of uninsured human beings. truthfully - medical wellness coverage is so high priced that for the time of the experience that your business enterprise would not furnish coverage you somewhat won't be able to get it. the assumption to proceed prohibiting drilling in specific factors (and to no longer MAKE it unlawful - it already is prohibited) is to guard the ambience. I truthfully have not heard any talk of "including extra respected languages." i myself don't have faith we've ANY respected languages. the concept decrease taxes help the financial device is a Regan-esque concept of "trickle down economics." you minimize taxes for the prosperous, they spend, and then the wealth trickles down. Bush minimize taxes - and however the financial device is interior the worst shape it is been in because of the fact that Bush senior became in workplace in 1992. additionally, it is not sparkling how the common wellness care plan will harm the financial device. returned it is not socialized medicine. it would extremely in basic terms furnish a central authority backed medical wellness coverage. Employeers who did no longer furnish medical wellness coverage advantages would be required to pay into the plan, which might supply them an incentive to maintain offering coverage. Small buisinesses would be exempt from this requirement. If something i think of this would upload extra opposition to the industry - there would be a less high priced cost decision for many human beings which might require contemporary companies to revise their rules, costs, etc to stay in buisiness. Even John McCain admits that off-shore drilling won't be able to have a actual effect on oil fees (and as a result the financial device). He stated the advantages are extra "psychological" - extremely we'd sense good because of the fact it would look like the government is doing something. i think of its clever to argue that we don't prefer to completely wreck factors of the ambience while the long term benefit would be a pair cents help in gas fees.

Answer 7

No, go ahead and look for alternative sources of information. I highly recommend case studies of communist and socialist systems so you can educate yourself why it's dangerous even though it appears to be working now. You are looking at a snapshot of fresh socialist policies, just look at how good it did Cuba, or Russia and tell me it's a sound philosophy.

At least in a capitalist society, YOU have some control. You can not buy a given product, and the company that makes that product will improve it, stop making it, or go out of business. In a communist / socialist society, you wouldn't have a choice; their would be no alternative product, just what's available.

Answer 8

Its only the open minded people who will search for unbiased news and information on other ares and governments. As long as your media is consolidated in the hands of the few who benefit from the ignorance of the masses then the American psyche will never change.
As for the answer saying it will change when the oil price drops, Well that is not going to happen anytime soon considering the huge demand which is only going to grow in China and India.

Answer 9

Ok well lets look at our socialist friends to the south, the governments are corrupted, the drug trade is huge, they recieve American aide, and they tend to fall under the control of dictators.

For the US the system we have works, even when things are bad they are still better then almost anywhere on Earth. Here is a good indicator of how well Socialism works, untold numbers of people come for better lives illegal. Apparently it is better to risk your life at the hope of making it to the states then to live in the conditions where they are.

Answer 10

Come on friend, if those economies are thriving so, why are all their people coming here and sneaking into THIS country for low paying jobs and free emergency room care?

A great deal of the money coming into those countries is coming from terrorist organizations who have been building cells and entire cities in those countries for several years.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17874369/

When you have foreign money flowing in and being spread around locally, SOME folks thrive. Most are left out unless they join those who are spending. This is a common recruitment tactic.