Politics Thread

[GoMuskies]

Looks like shit is coming to a head in Venezuela. Hopefully it ends with Maduro's head on a spike (or at least in exile to some isolated island).

[Masterofreality]

We have some very good friends who live around the corner from us and were both born in Venezuela. They both came here to go to college, got degrees, met here, and got married and got fantastic jobs. One is an astrophysicist at NASA Glenn and Anna is a biologist. Their families are still trapped in Venezuela and they haven't been able to go back and visit them for over 10 years for fear of abduction. It is an absolute mess for a family that was prosperous and upper middle class hard working people. The stories that Ivan & Anna tell us are heartbreaking.

All you left wing leaners on this here site should really take a look at how this unchecked Socialism- even in a country that was supposedly bullet proof due to oil- ruins a society. Yeah, just go ahead on Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttwhatever, Kamala Harris, and Corey Booker. That ship doesn't sail.

[ChicagoX]

All you left wing leaners on this here site should really take a look at how this unchecked Socialism- even in a country that was supposedly bullet proof due to oil- ruins a society. Yeah, just go ahead on Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttwhatever, Kamala Harris, and Corey Booker. That ship doesn't sail.

You're an educated man. Learn the difference between state socialism and democratic socialism. This country has been a hybrid blend of capitalism and democratic socialism for a long time. Even things that the GOP support, such as the bank bailouts, police/fire services, and subsidies for farmers currently being screwed by Trump's trade war, are examples of democratic socialism. I don't see you calling out Scandinavian countries for their form of socialism, which has led to those countries being at the top of the happiness index rankings.

It's easy to pick out the people who rely on right-wing propaganda such as FOX News and Breitbart as their news sources. Maybe try something like The Hill or Reuters if you want an more informed breakdown of the news and not a cesspool of misinformation.

[XU 87]

You're an educated man. Learn the difference between state socialism and democratic socialism. This country has been a hybrid blend of capitalism and democratic socialism for a long time. Even things that the GOP support, such as the bank bailouts, police/fire services, and subsidies for farmers currently being screwed by Trump's trade war, are examples of democratic socialism. I don't see you calling out Scandinavian countries for their form of socialism, which has led to those countries being at the top of the happiness index rankings.

It's easy to pick out the people who rely on right-wing propaganda such as FOX News and Breitbart as their news sources. Maybe try something like The Hill or Reuters if you want an more informed breakdown of the news and not a cesspool of misinformation.

I was expecting this response: "Venezuela socialism didn't work because it wasn't done the correct way."

[Masterofreality]

I was expecting this response: "Venezuela socialism didn't work because it wasn't done the correct way."

Right. That's why Mao, Lennin, Stalin, and Maduro were all so successful. Those weren't done "right" either.
And oh, my!! All those beautiful new cars in Cuba!!!!!

[GoMuskies]

I don't disagree with ChicagoX generally here. However, the leading (or #2) Democratic candidate for President was praising Venezuela's government not too awfully long ago. So while "all left wing leaners" probably aren't looking for a Venezuela style "revolution", that model isn't exactly outside the realm of what some relatively "mainstream" Democrats find praiseworthy.

[Caf]

All you left wing leaners on this here site should really take a look at how this unchecked Socialism- even in a country that was supposedly bullet proof due to oil- ruins a society. Yeah, just go ahead on Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttwhatever, Kamala Harris, and Corey Booker. That ship doesn't sail.

Agreed! I think it's also a good example of why our Central Bank's independence and non-politicization is vital to our economy.

[XU 87]

I don't disagree with ChicagoX generally here. However, the leading (or #2) Democratic candidate for President was praising Venezuela's government not too awfully long ago. So while "all left wing leaners" probably aren't looking for a Venezuela style "revolution", that model isn't exactly outside the realm of what some relatively "mainstream" Democrats find praiseworthy.

The mainstream democrats battle cry- Free college! Free health care! Write off your student loans! 100% green energy in 10 years! People who can but refuse to work will still be paid! Free unicorns for all!

[boozehound]

I was expecting this response: "Venezuela socialism didn't work because it wasn't done the correct way."

Right. That's why Mao, Lennin, Stalin, and Maduro were all so successful. Those weren't done "right" either.
And oh, my!! All those beautiful new cars in Cuba!!!!!

Come on. You guys are (presumably) intelligent individuals. Those are all examples of dictatorships that happen to be 'socialist' but are, first and foremost, dictatorships. If you guys really don't see the difference between Maduro, Lenin, Mao, et al. and Canada (for example) I don't know how you get through your daily lives without sticking a fork in an electrical socket or eating a rock.

There are many examples in Western Europe, and elsewhere, of the type of Socialism that is generally being advocated for and it is far less stark of a picture than a socialist dictatorship.

And yes, I know that some of the jackoff candidates on the left are advocating for some pretty crazy shit, but they are probably just going to end up with Biden because Elizabeth Warren and Bernie are nutso and there aren't enough people that actualyl want a socialist government anyways.

People who are concerned about Venezuela should be more worried about Trump attempting to break down many of the checks and balances that have traditionally protected us from authoritarianism - that is the real threat. There are plenty of right wing dictatorships throughout history that generally don't look much different than the left wing ones.

[X-man]

Come on. You guys are (presumably) intelligent individuals. Those are all examples of dictatorships that happen to be 'socialist' but are, first and foremost, dictatorships. If you guys really don't see the difference between Maduro, Lenin, Mao, et al. and Canada (for example) I don't know how you get through your daily lives without sticking a fork in an electrical socket or eating a rock.

There are many examples in Western Europe, and elsewhere, of the type of Socialism that is generally being advocated for and it is far less stark of a picture than a socialist dictatorship.

And yes, I know that some of the jackoff candidates on the left are advocating for some pretty crazy shit, but they are probably just going to end up with Biden because Elizabeth Warren and Bernie are nutso and there aren't enough people that actualyl want a socialist government anyways.

People who are concerned about Venezuela should be more worried about Trump attempting to break down many of the checks and balances that have traditionally protected us from authoritarianism - that is the real threat. There are plenty of right wing dictatorships throughout history that generally don't look much different than the left wing ones.

Booze, there is no point in arguing with the Fox-based wingnuts who make their points by (deliberately) misrepresenting reality. I have stopped trying, and I suggest you do so as well. BTW, I tried to add to your rep, but was stopped by "the man". Do you suppose "the man" is a Fox aficionado?