Hugo Chavez learns fundamental lesson of Communism

[Rasputin_Vol]

Venezuela to Loosen Price Controls - Forbes.com

Caracas, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez's government plans to loosen price controls on some basic foods to help stem shortages of items like milk and cooking oil, the finance minister said.

Less than 40 percent of consumer demand is being met for at least 10 basic food items as Venezuelans struggle with shortages that have been partly blamed on price controls, Finance Minister Rodrigo Cabezas told The Associated Press.

lol:

 

[MG1968]

the same thing will happen here if certain segments of the population get their wish and the government sets prices for prescription drugs and gasoline.

 

[volsforever27]

the same thing will happen here if certain segments of the population get their wish and the government sets prices for prescription drugs and gasoline.

Agreed, plus I wonder what people like Sean Penn and Danny Golver will say about this. Somehow it will be the U.S.'s/Bush's fault.

 

[emainvol]

I do find it a bit funny that businesses apparently expect to be turning a big profit in what is becoming a collectivist society. Apparently they missed the point.

 

[volinbham]

Profit (surplus revenues over costs) is critical for both business expansion and survival. It affects both the cost of capital and the ability to survive fluctuations in demand and supply.

 

[emainvol]

Profit (surplus revenues over costs) is critical for both business expansion and survival. It affects both the cost of capital and the ability to survive fluctuations in demand and supply.

true, but in a collectivist society isn't profit rendered rather moot?

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

true, but in a collectivist society isn't profit rendered rather moot?

Yes. :ermm:

What are you driving at? Do you want to remove profit from the economy?

:ermm:

 

[emainvol]

Yes. :ermm:

What are you driving at? Do you want to remove profit from the economy?

:ermm:

that's not what I said, I just find it interesting that in a socialist economy there are businesses that are getting up in arms because of the lack of profit margin.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

I love socialism, I can't wait for it here!

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

that's not what I said, I just find it interesting that in a socialist economy there are businesses that are getting up in arms because of the lack of profit margin.

Well obviously, most businesses wouldn't support not having profits. I'm pretty sure the business owners in venezuela are not Chavez supporters and they knew what a communist regime would bring. :ermm:

 

[volinbham]

true, but in a collectivist society isn't profit rendered rather moot?

Not necessarily - the question becomes who receives the profit.

 

[overseasorange2]

I lived in Venezuela from 2001 till spring 2007. Many times I could not find things like eggs, milk and flour. Could you imagine going to any major grocery store in the U.S.A. and not being able to find these basic items? This was a very common event while living there. On top of this, it would almost always take 30-60 minutes to check out. Chavez is taking Venezuela down........

 

[orange parmejohn]

I lived in Venezuela from 2001 till spring 2007. Many times I could not find things like eggs, milk and flour. Could you imagine going to any major grocery store in the U.S.A. and not being able to find these basic items? This was a very common event while living there. On top of this, it would almost always take 30-60 minutes to check out. Chavez is taking Venezuela down........

wow, thats crazy stuff.

 

[volsforever27]

One thing the world never seems to learn is that while you think Communism is sharing for everybody, only a select few reap the benefits.

 

[TennTradition]

One thing the world never seems to learn is that while you think Communism is sharing for everybody, only a select few reap the benefits.

nomenklatura...with nice pretty dachas for retirement, if you will...

 

[Bezdomny]

I took a number of Russian classes (language, history, PS) in the mid 80's at UT and almost without fail the Russian profs from the Soviet Union talked about how bad things were there economically. Shortages of goods, etc. My fav prof said the first time she went to a supermarket in the US after she emigrated, she thought it was a sham, a Potemkin village so to speak. She was amazed at all the goods for sale and couldn't believe it was possible.

In contrast a good number of the US profs I had talked about how great everything was in the Soviet Union. They really believed it too. I remember one US prof, who was a good teacher, talking about how good the meat was... Two of my friends who went to the USSR to study said they dreamed about food the whole time they were there.