Venezuela - Updated Chronicles in Socialist Success Stories!

[Angra Mainyu]

Yes, Biden's claims also helped Maduro. As you know, Maduro needs the confrontation with the US. The more the US responds - or worse, escalates by declaring Venezuela an extraordinary and unusual threat to national security -, the better for Maduro domestically, all other things equal.

This is not a confrontation. And Maduro has no particular need of a *real* confrontation, he's happy to make them up.

Obama deserves credit for not playing along. Maybe Maduro and his cadre will realize there are consequences to their clownish attempt to blame the US for everything they do to screw up their own country.

Obviously, that's not a military confrontation. But it's a diplomatic one. And while Maduro can make stuff up all he wants, it's much better for him if he can actually quote the US government classifying Venezuela as an unsual and extraordinary threat to US national security.

 

[dismal]

This is not a confrontation. And Maduro has no particular need of a *real* confrontation, he's happy to make them up.

Obama deserves credit for not playing along. Maybe Maduro and his cadre will realize there are consequences to their clownish attempt to blame the US for everything they do to screw up their own country.

Obviously, that's not a military confrontation. But it's a diplomatic one. And while Maduro can make stuff up all he wants, it's much better for him if he can actually quote the US government classifying Venezuela as an unsual and extraordinary threat to US national security.

Is it going to put toilet paper on the shelves?

 

[ksen]

Obviously, that's not a military confrontation. But it's a diplomatic one. And while Maduro can make stuff up all he wants, it's much better for him if he can actually quote the US government classifying Venezuela as an unsual and extraordinary threat to US national security.

Is it going to put toilet paper on the shelves?

No, but he can point to concrete actions the United States has taken and blame them instead of his own government's policies.

 

[dismal]

Is it going to put toilet paper on the shelves?

No, but he can point to concrete actions the United States has taken and blame them instead of his own government's policies.

And only the idiots and ideologically blindered will listen. Which seems to be about 20% if his approval rating is to be believed.

There's not a lot we can do about the idiots and ideologically blindered, even if we gave a shit.

 

[Angra Mainyu]

Obviously, that's not a military confrontation. But it's a diplomatic one. And while Maduro can make stuff up all he wants, it's much better for him if he can actually quote the US government classifying Venezuela as an unsual and extraordinary threat to US national security.

Is it going to put toilet paper on the shelves?

No, it is not. Obviously.
But probably, there is going to be more people inclined to blame the US for that, and/or willing to tolerate more economic mismanagement from the government on the face of an external perceived threat, or simply the focus of the public debate will shift (already did) to some extent, from the shortages to the classification of Venezuela as an unusual and extraordinary threat (see the links in my reply to Axulus).

 

[Angra Mainyu]

the classification of Venezuela as an unusual and extraordinary threat.

Correction: it's "the situation in Venezuela", rather than "Venezuela" (though that's being misreported). But it still helps Maduro.

 

[dismal]

L

Is it going to put toilet paper on the shelves?

No, it is not. Obviously.
But probably, there is going to be more people inclined to blame the US for that, and/or willing to tolerate more economic mismanagement from the government on the face of an external perceived threat, or simply the focus of the public debate will shift (already did) to some extent, from the shortages to the classification of Venezuela as an unusual and extraordinary threat (see the links in my reply to Axulus).

Hate America first Chomskyism is far less popular in toilet paper and milk lines than you imagine. Well, pretty much anywhere outside university faculty lounges and TFT.

I think we'll be ok sticking to our principles that free speech is good, opposition leaders (other than Republican senators) should not be locked up, student protestors should not be shot, Joe Biden is an ineffectual moron of little danger to anyone besides women and children who don't want to be groped, and Venezuelan leaders should not have large bank accounts in of all places America, without worrying too much about whether Maduro's popularity at home will trickle up into the mid 20s.

 

[Angra Mainyu]

L

No, it is not. Obviously.
But probably, there is going to be more people inclined to blame the US for that, and/or willing to tolerate more economic mismanagement from the government on the face of an external perceived threat, or simply the focus of the public debate will shift (already did) to some extent, from the shortages to the classification of Venezuela as an unusual and extraordinary threat (see the links in my reply to Axulus).

Hate America first Chomskyism is far less popular in toilet paper and milk lines than you imagine. Well, pretty much anywhere outside university faculty lounges and TFT.

I think we'll be ok sticking to our principles that free speech is good, opposition leaders (other than Republican senators) should not be locked up, student protestors should not be shot, Joe Biden is an ineffectual moron of little danger to anyone besides women and children who don't want to be groped, and Venezuelan leaders should not have large bank accounts in of all places America, without worrying too much about whether Maduro's popularity at home will trickle up into the mid 20s.

I never suggested that you wouldn't be okay by sticking to any of your principles, regardless of what happens in Venezuela. What I'm saying is that the situation in Venezuela is probably going to be worse (and Maduro's better) than it would be if the US didn't take actions like declaring the situation in Venezuela an extraordinary and unusual threat to US national security.

Chomskyism is not the point. People don't need to even know who Chomsky is in order to blame the US or at least suspect the US is behind some plot against the Venezuelan government - and that's regardless of whom they blame for the shortages.

 

[dismal]

L

Hate America first Chomskyism is far less popular in toilet paper and milk lines than you imagine. Well, pretty much anywhere outside university faculty lounges and TFT.

I think we'll be ok sticking to our principles that free speech is good, opposition leaders (other than Republican senators) should not be locked up, student protestors should not be shot, Joe Biden is an ineffectual moron of little danger to anyone besides women and children who don't want to be groped, and Venezuelan leaders should not have large bank accounts in of all places America, without worrying too much about whether Maduro's popularity at home will trickle up into the mid 20s.

I never suggested that you wouldn't be okay by sticking to any of your principles, regardless of what happens in Venezuela. What I'm saying is that the situation in Venezuela is probably going to be worse (and Maduro's better) than it would be if the US didn't take actions like declaring the situation in Venezuela an extraordinary and unusual threat to US national security.

Chomskyism is not the point. People don't need to even know who Chomsky is in order to blame the US or at least suspect the US is behind some plot against the Venezuelan government - and that's regardless of whom they blame for the shortages.

What you're not convincing me of is that there's some material negative consequence to the US of having the people who are already susceptible to believing the US is the problem believe it more.

 

[Angra Mainyu]

I never suggested that you wouldn't be okay by sticking to any of your principles, regardless of what happens in Venezuela. What I'm saying is that the situation in Venezuela is probably going to be worse (and Maduro's better) than it would be if the US didn't take actions like declaring the situation in Venezuela an extraordinary and unusual threat to US national security.

Chomskyism is not the point. People don't need to even know who Chomsky is in order to blame the US or at least suspect the US is behind some plot against the Venezuelan government - and that's regardless of whom they blame for the shortages.

What you're not convincing me of is that there's some material negative consequence to the US of having the people who are already susceptible to believing the US is the problem believe it more.

Different people are susceptible to different degrees, and furthermore, they don't have to be susceptible to believe that the US is the problem, but a problem.
Some people may be in doubt about some of Maduro's accusations, but are more likely to buy them the national security threat stuff. Others probably believe Maduro's policies are a serious problem, but will also believe the US is another problem. Others will probably just shut up and stop criticizing out of fear of being called "traitors", because there will be more anger against the US than before. And so on.
But for example, Maduro's government was getting serious criticism from an increasing number of people on the left, even supporters of what they consider to be Chávez's original ideas. That sort of criticism is particularly problematic for someone like Maduro. He may call them "traitors", but they may also call him a traitor as well - or incompetent, etc.
Other people on the left are undecided between Maduro and his leftist critics.
Those are people already heavily against the US. Obama's move is likely to get leftists to support Maduro, even if for no other reason than fight a perceived common enemy (for example).
That aside, there is also the issue of regional support for Maduro. For the most part - there are exceptions - Obama's decision will reduce the chance of criticism of Maduro's oppression from other governments, or at least reduce the degree of criticism while including criticism of the US's decision in public statements, etc.

 

[Derec]

Venezuela’s Economy Suffers as Import Schemes Siphon Billions

In a nutshell, Venezuelan import companies are making a mint off inflating (or just making up) their import invoices (paid for by subsidized 6.3 "Strong" Bolviars/USD) and selling the surplus dollars on the black market for over 200 Bolivars/USD.

File that under "nobody could have foreseen that happening - except everybody". Extreme price distortion can be used to make profit through arbitrage? Film at 11.

 

[Trausti]

Venezuela’s Economy Suffers as Import Schemes Siphon Billions

In a nutshell, Venezuelan import companies are making a mint off inflating (or just making up) their import invoices (paid for by subsidized 6.3 "Strong" Bolviars/USD) and selling the surplus dollars on the black market for over 200 Bolivars/USD.

File that under "nobody could have foreseen that happening - except everybody". Extreme price distortion can be used to make profit through arbitrage? Film at 11.

Don't make fun of the socialists for that. They're just stupid. You can't fix stupid.

 

[dismal]

Can we make fun of socialists for this?

(Reuters) - Venezuela's socialist government on Tuesday announced a nationwide electricity rationing plan to tackle a surge in demand caused by rising temperatures in recent weeks.

The measures include cutting the workday for public officials to six hours, asking private companies to boost energy efficiency and inspecting malls and factories to ensure they meet reduced power consumption targets.

"Within a week, power demand has risen 1,500 megawatts," Electricity Minister Jesse Chacon said on state TV. With demand at 18,000 megawatts, he said, "the system begins to have stability problems."

Peak temperatures in recent weeks have risen to 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit) in Caracas, the capital, and have hit 37 degrees Celsius (99 degrees Fahrenheit) in the sweltering western city of Maracaibo.

The country's average annual consumption per household is 5,878 kilowatt-hours, double the average of the region due largely to sizable subsidies that allow consumers to run air conditioners with little regard to cost.

Power outages are common in the oil-rich country, which depends on hydroelectric dams for 64 percent of its generation.

President Nicolas Maduro's critics say the problems are the result of under-investment in the sector since late socialist leader Hugo Chavez nationalized much of the electrical system in 2007.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/28/venezuela-electricity-idUSL1N0XP2FJ20150428

 

[Axulus]

Venezuela’s Economy Suffers as Import Schemes Siphon Billions

In a nutshell, Venezuelan import companies are making a mint off inflating (or just making up) their import invoices (paid for by subsidized 6.3 "Strong" Bolviars/USD) and selling the surplus dollars on the black market for over 200 Bolivars/USD.

File that under "nobody could have foreseen that happening - except everybody". Extreme price distortion can be used to make profit through arbitrage? Film at 11.

Don't make fun of the socialists for that. They're just stupid. You can't fix stupid.

I'm thinking it is actually working as intended, a scheme to funnel money to well connected cronies and allies of the government. A scheme which works ok so long as oil prices stay high.

The alternative would be to instead allow the currency to float freely, sell the dollars on the currency market, and then allocate the money gained to everyone in Venezuela as a monthly stipend. This should be more politically popular as the poor could buy what they want and have far fewer of the economic distortions (meaning far fewer empty shelves and short lines).

 

[dismal]

Given how well nationalized electricity has been working, how about this?

Venezuela to nationalize food distribution
Caracas (AFP) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has promised to nationalize food distribution in the South American nation beset with record shortages of basic goods, runaway inflation and an escalating economic crisis.


During a rally Friday, on International Workers' Day, the socialist leader allowed a union activist to ask for the nationalization of food and essential-item distribution.

Citing new decree-making powers recently granted by the National Assembly, Maduro said he would carry out such a measure "in the coming days and weeks."

Maduro had pledged earlier in the week to announce economic reforms.

Various estimates suggest the government already controls about half of the country's food distribution, but that hasn't stopped record shortages in shops and markets.

http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-nationalize-food-distribution-191734377.html

I'm sure that the journalist who wrote this meant that last sentence to say:

Various estimates suggest the government already controls about half of the country's food distribution, but that hasn't stopped has led to record shortages in shops and markets.

 

[Trausti]

Given how well nationalized electricity has been working, how about this?

Venezuela to nationalize food distribution
Caracas (AFP) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has promised to nationalize food distribution in the South American nation beset with record shortages of basic goods, runaway inflation and an escalating economic crisis.


During a rally Friday, on International Workers' Day, the socialist leader allowed a union activist to ask for the nationalization of food and essential-item distribution.

Citing new decree-making powers recently granted by the National Assembly, Maduro said he would carry out such a measure "in the coming days and weeks."

Maduro had pledged earlier in the week to announce economic reforms.

Various estimates suggest the government already controls about half of the country's food distribution, but that hasn't stopped record shortages in shops and markets.

http://news.yahoo.com/venezuela-nationalize-food-distribution-191734377.html

I'm sure that the journalist who wrote this meant that last sentence to say:

Various estimates suggest the government already controls about half of the country's food distribution, but that hasn't stopped has led to record shortages in shops and markets.

Maybe the hope is that once enough time has passed, Venezuelans will forget the abundance they had pre-Socialist Paradise and will consider the government's ability to provide any food at all as a great victory over Joe Biden.

 

[dismal]

Looks like Maduro has hit on a whole new system of resource allocation:

[YOUTUBE]3KndYcoWoSo[/YOUTUBE]

Just like Marx said, it would go Feudalism-Capitalism-Socialism-Mangoism.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

Don't make fun of the socialists for that. They're just stupid. You can't fix stupid.

I'm thinking it is actually working as intended, a scheme to funnel money to well connected cronies and allies of the government. A scheme which works ok so long as oil prices stay high.

The alternative would be to instead allow the currency to float freely, sell the dollars on the currency market, and then allocate the money gained to everyone in Venezuela as a monthly stipend. This should be more politically popular as the poor could buy what they want and have far fewer of the economic distortions (meaning far fewer empty shelves and short lines).

I don't think so. Venezuela strikes me as the result of someone totally out of touch with economic reality. While I agree there no doubt is an element of payoffs to cronies I don't think that's the reason for their policy.

 

[Trausti]

When I was at university a professor described social realism as boy meets girl meets tractor. It seems Maduro's Socialist Paradise is following that example of drab entertainment.

The first edition of Flores’s show – Con Cilia en Familia or With Cilia in the Family – featured the once-fiery lawyer in decidedly demure mode. “Blessings for all these beautiful children,” she said as the cameras followed her around a paediatric hospital in the opening sequence. This was followed by a trip to an old people’s home, then videotaped reminiscences with cabinet ministers about key moments in the history of the Bolivarian socialist revolution.

The syrupy political correctness of the show could hardly be further removed from the risqué telenovelas that Venezuela was once famous for, but Flores’s appearance on Sunday is far more in keeping with government’s views on how the media should be used – and how much of a turn-off its approach has been for audiences.

Joy!

But, unsurprisingly, the shows the politicians approve of are very different from those the public wants to watch. Maduro, like Chávez before him, criticised soap operas for having a negative influence over Venezuelan’s moral values and conduct.

Freddy Ñañez, who runs the government’s arts and culture agenda in Caracas, said telenovelas are to blame for promoting individualism or what he calls “liberal realism”, something he considers even more dangerous to society than state propaganda.

So not only is the economy wrecked, the government also controls what are acceptable subjects for entertainment. Joy, Joy.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/05/venezuela-first-lady-maduro-tv-show

 

[Derec]

So not only is the economy wrecked, the government also controls what are acceptable subjects for entertainment. Joy, Joy.

Not just telenovelas, comedians have also been deemed a threat to the glorious revolution.
It's No Joke: Venezuela Cracks Down On Comedians

Also gone is Chataing TV, a popular fake news show.

Last year the show's host, Luis Chataing, made fun of the government's frequent claims of coup plotting by the opposition. In a skit, Chataing portrayed a government bureaucrat fabricating evidence of a conspiracy with paper, scissors and glue as if part of a kindergarten art class.

The crowd loved it. The show was canceled the next day. Chataing said the government pressured the station's owner to take him off the air, a claim President Maduro brushed aside.

In economic news, Ford has announced they will sell SUVs and trucks in dollars rather than bolivars.

Ford Venezuela to sell pickups, SUVs in dollars: union'

Nobody wants the "strong" bolivars, so their value continues to slide.

Venezuela's economy is forecast to shrink by 7 per cent this year. Just like the critical state of the economy, the depreciation of the bolívar is gaining speed. Seven months ago, the US dollar fetched 100 bolívares fuertes. Three months ago, a greenback was trading at 200.

Today in some corners, 100 bolívares, the highest note, is not even enough to buy a filled arepa - flatbread made of maize flour, the national staple dish.

Soon ...