Don't you know Obama's government is jealous....

Thousands of Venezuelans lined up outside the country’s equivalent of Best Buy, a chain of electronics stores known as Daka, hoping for a bargain after the socialist government forced the company to charge customers “fair” prices.

President Nicolás Maduro ordered a military “occupation” of the company’s five stores as he continues the government’s crackdown on an “economic war” it says is being waged against the country, with the help of Washington.

Members of Venezuela’s National Guard, some of whom carried assault rifles, kept order at the stores as bargain hunters rushed to get inside.

“I want a Sony plasma television for the house,” said Amanda Lisboa, 34, a business administrator, who had waited seven hours already outside one Caracas store. “It’s going to be so cheap!”

Televisions were the most in-demand item in the line outside one Caracas store, though people waited more than eight hours for fridges, washing machines, sewing machines and other imported appliances.

Water and snacks were being sold outside the store by savvy Venezuelans keen to profit from the commotion. Happy customers weaved giant television screens and other items back to their cars through the crowds.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world...s/3486581/

Keep allowing the Democrats to win majorities in Washington and you too can have this here in America.

This is just a manifestation of it but we truly do, as western nations, rage economic war on the third world.

Good. Tvs shouldn't be that much.

I used to live in Venezuela. I even have had the honor of having to avoid gunfire sent out by Chavez's troops (in 1993). Chavez is an idiot. So is Maduro. But Obama isn't a fan of Cubazuela and has done zero to help them. US policy re VZ appears to be as follows: 1) Ignore them as far as public statements go, making it harder for Maduro/Chavez to blame the US for the failings of their own policies 2) Isolate Maduro/Chavez through engagement with its neighbors 3) Have a zero tolerance policy to VZan bullying on the diplomatic front. VZ has about zero in common with the US, and it is absurd to claim that Obama is anything like Chavez or Maduro.

The problem in VZ is a bit more complex though. It has been known to anyone for some time now that doing business in Venezuela carries huge risks. Some people continue to invest there as so long as the market is operating, there are profits to be made. Especially in the consumer goods and auto sector. You see, Venezuela has two effective exchange rates, an official er at about 7 to the dollar and another at around 60 to the dollar. People who cannot exchange money at the 7 to 1 rate have been buying anything that might store value like crazy, driving prices up to ridiculous prices. For example, the Nissan dealer in Caracas has not had any inventory in 2 years (all cars are sold years in advance), plane tickets cost 3 grand to leave VZ to anywhere, and consumer durables like TV's and washing machines go for 4 to 5 times what they go for anywhere else.

Maduro is trying, poorly, to rein in the cost problems caused by his own idiotic policies. But this wont work. Actually the only thing that will work is for VZ to let its currency float. Maduro can't do so without plunging VZ into a sharp recession.

Centralized planning, government attempting to run everything, ignoring economics and the fact that people act in their own best self interests...............this is what you get. Interesting article in Forbes which has similarities.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/20...r=yahootix

(11-10-2013 04:41 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I used to live in Venezuela. I even have had the honor of having to avoid gunfire sent out by Chavez's troops (in 1993). Chavez is an idiot. So is Maduro. But Obama isn't a fan of Cubazuela and has done zero to help them. US policy re VZ appears to be as follows: 1) Ignore them as far as public statements go, making it harder for Maduro/Chavez to blame the US for the failings of their own policies 2) Isolate Maduro/Chavez through engagement with its neighbors 3) Have a zero tolerance policy to VZan bullying on the diplomatic front. VZ has about zero in common with the US, and it is absurd to claim that Obama is anything like Chavez or Maduro.

The problem in VZ is a bit more complex though. It has been known to anyone for some time now that doing business in Venezuela carries huge risks. Some people continue to invest there as so long as the market is operating, there are profits to be made. Especially in the consumer goods and auto sector. You see, Venezuela has two effective exchange rates, an official er at about 7 to the dollar and another at around 60 to the dollar. People who cannot exchange money at the 7 to 1 rate have been buying anything that might store value like crazy, driving prices up to ridiculous prices. For example, the Nissan dealer in Caracas has not had any inventory in 2 years (all cars are sold years in advance), plane tickets cost 3 grand to leave VZ to anywhere, and consumer durables like TV's and washing machines go for 4 to 5 times what they go for anywhere else.

Maduro is trying, poorly, to rein in the cost problems caused by his own idiotic policies. But this wont work. Actually the only thing that will work is for VZ to let its currency float. Maduro can't do so without plunging VZ into a sharp recession.

I bet you get an erection at the thought of the govt running private companies here at home.

(11-10-2013 04:50 PM)Crebman Wrote:  Centralized planning, government attempting to run everything, ignoring economics and the fact that people act in their own best self interests...............this is what you get. Interesting article in Forbes which has similarities.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/20...r=yahootix

You lose credibility when you put out opinion like this. It shows no understanding of Venezuela and draws inappropriate parallels between the US's most lassez faire economy in the world (even under Obama) and Venezuela.

(11-10-2013 05:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 04:50 PM)Crebman Wrote:  Centralized planning, government attempting to run everything, ignoring economics and the fact that people act in their own best self interests...............this is what you get. Interesting article in Forbes which has similarities.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/20...r=yahootix

You lose credibility when you put out opinion like this. It shows no understanding of Venezuela and draws inappropriate parallels between the US's most lassez faire economy in the world (even under Obama) and Venezuela.

No, it is exactly an example of the government attempting to meddle in private enterprise in ways that fly in the face of what economic reality will be. Then they try and blame the failure on anything but their failed policy.

Fact is, Venezuela is now a worse sh!thole that it was before Chavez largely due to the things Chavez's government did that ignored economic realities.

I'm not saying the US and Venezuela are the same right now, but if we continue down the current path we will slide in that direction.

(11-10-2013 04:41 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I used to live in Venezuela. I even have had the honor of having to avoid gunfire sent out by Chavez's troops (in 1993). Chavez is an idiot. So is Maduro. But Obama isn't a fan of Cubazuela and has done zero to help them. US policy re VZ appears to be as follows: 1) Ignore them as far as public statements go, making it harder for Maduro/Chavez to blame the US for the failings of their own policies 2) Isolate Maduro/Chavez through engagement with its neighbors 3) Have a zero tolerance policy to VZan bullying on the diplomatic front. VZ has about zero in common with the US, and it is absurd to claim that Obama is anything like Chavez or Maduro.

The problem in VZ is a bit more complex though. It has been known to anyone for some time now that doing business in Venezuela carries huge risks. Some people continue to invest there as so long as the market is operating, there are profits to be made. Especially in the consumer goods and auto sector. You see, Venezuela has two effective exchange rates, an official er at about 7 to the dollar and another at around 60 to the dollar. People who cannot exchange money at the 7 to 1 rate have been buying anything that might store value like crazy, driving prices up to ridiculous prices. For example, the Nissan dealer in Caracas has not had any inventory in 2 years (all cars are sold years in advance), plane tickets cost 3 grand to leave VZ to anywhere, and consumer durables like TV's and washing machines go for 4 to 5 times what they go for anywhere else.

Maduro is trying, poorly, to rein in the cost problems caused by his own idiotic policies. But this wont work. Actually the only thing that will work is for VZ to let its currency float. Maduro can't do so without plunging VZ into a sharp recession.

I use to live in Venezuela too!

(11-10-2013 05:30 PM)firmbizzle Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 04:41 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I used to live in Venezuela. I even have had the honor of having to avoid gunfire sent out by Chavez's troops (in 1993). Chavez is an idiot. So is Maduro. But Obama isn't a fan of Cubazuela and has done zero to help them. US policy re VZ appears to be as follows: 1) Ignore them as far as public statements go, making it harder for Maduro/Chavez to blame the US for the failings of their own policies 2) Isolate Maduro/Chavez through engagement with its neighbors 3) Have a zero tolerance policy to VZan bullying on the diplomatic front. VZ has about zero in common with the US, and it is absurd to claim that Obama is anything like Chavez or Maduro.

The problem in VZ is a bit more complex though. It has been known to anyone for some time now that doing business in Venezuela carries huge risks. Some people continue to invest there as so long as the market is operating, there are profits to be made. Especially in the consumer goods and auto sector. You see, Venezuela has two effective exchange rates, an official er at about 7 to the dollar and another at around 60 to the dollar. People who cannot exchange money at the 7 to 1 rate have been buying anything that might store value like crazy, driving prices up to ridiculous prices. For example, the Nissan dealer in Caracas has not had any inventory in 2 years (all cars are sold years in advance), plane tickets cost 3 grand to leave VZ to anywhere, and consumer durables like TV's and washing machines go for 4 to 5 times what they go for anywhere else.

Maduro is trying, poorly, to rein in the cost problems caused by his own idiotic policies. But this wont work. Actually the only thing that will work is for VZ to let its currency float. Maduro can't do so without plunging VZ into a sharp recession.

I use to live in Venezuela too!

I was in Merida from 92-93. Where and when were you down there

(11-10-2013 05:45 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 05:30 PM)firmbizzle Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 04:41 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  I used to live in Venezuela. I even have had the honor of having to avoid gunfire sent out by Chavez's troops (in 1993). Chavez is an idiot. So is Maduro. But Obama isn't a fan of Cubazuela and has done zero to help them. US policy re VZ appears to be as follows: 1) Ignore them as far as public statements go, making it harder for Maduro/Chavez to blame the US for the failings of their own policies 2) Isolate Maduro/Chavez through engagement with its neighbors 3) Have a zero tolerance policy to VZan bullying on the diplomatic front. VZ has about zero in common with the US, and it is absurd to claim that Obama is anything like Chavez or Maduro.

The problem in VZ is a bit more complex though. It has been known to anyone for some time now that doing business in Venezuela carries huge risks. Some people continue to invest there as so long as the market is operating, there are profits to be made. Especially in the consumer goods and auto sector. You see, Venezuela has two effective exchange rates, an official er at about 7 to the dollar and another at around 60 to the dollar. People who cannot exchange money at the 7 to 1 rate have been buying anything that might store value like crazy, driving prices up to ridiculous prices. For example, the Nissan dealer in Caracas has not had any inventory in 2 years (all cars are sold years in advance), plane tickets cost 3 grand to leave VZ to anywhere, and consumer durables like TV's and washing machines go for 4 to 5 times what they go for anywhere else.

Maduro is trying, poorly, to rein in the cost problems caused by his own idiotic policies. But this wont work. Actually the only thing that will work is for VZ to let its currency float. Maduro can't do so without plunging VZ into a sharp recession.

I use to live in Venezuela too!

I was in Merida from 92-93. Where and when were you down there

Margarita 2004.

I can see this in the Democrat Party platform in 2020 or 2024. Their candidate will stand outside a shopping mall in Chicago or Denver, bemoaning the "obscene profits" of Macy's and JC Penny.

At first there will be a bipartisan committee to investigate. Then the legislation will be proposed.

The left will never rest.

(11-10-2013 10:48 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  I can see this in the Democrat Party platform in 2020 or 2024. Their candidate will stand outside a shopping mall in Chicago or Denver, bemoaning the "obscene profits" of Macy's and JC Penny.

At first there will be a bipartisan committee to investigate. Then the legislation will be proposed.

The left will never rest.

They did that with health insurance and what happened? Prices went up.

(11-10-2013 10:54 PM)smn1256 Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 10:48 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  I can see this in the Democrat Party platform in 2020 or 2024. Their candidate will stand outside a shopping mall in Chicago or Denver, bemoaning the "obscene profits" of Macy's and JC Penny.
At first there will be a bipartisan committee to investigate. Then the legislation will be proposed.
The left will never rest.

They did that with health insurance and what happened? Prices went up.

They'll do it again--and get the same result.

Yeah, but the Caracas stock market is up like 3,000% this year. This proves their policies are working! (Sound familiar?)

(11-10-2013 05:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 04:50 PM)Crebman Wrote:  Centralized planning, government attempting to run everything, ignoring economics and the fact that people act in their own best self interests...............this is what you get. Interesting article in Forbes which has similarities.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/20...r=yahootix

You lose credibility when you put out opinion like this. It shows no understanding of Venezuela and draws inappropriate parallels between the US's most lassez faire economy in the world (even under Obama) and Venezuela.

You lose credibility when you say things like this that have no basis in reality.

(11-10-2013 11:23 PM)BlazerFan11 Wrote:  Yeah, but the Caracas stock market is up like 3,000% this year. This proves their policies are working! (Sound familiar?)

(11-10-2013 05:06 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(11-10-2013 04:50 PM)Crebman Wrote:  Centralized planning, government attempting to run everything, ignoring economics and the fact that people act in their own best self interests...............this is what you get. Interesting article in Forbes which has similarities.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntamny/20...r=yahootix

You lose credibility when you put out opinion like this. It shows no understanding of Venezuela and draws inappropriate parallels between the US's most lassez faire economy in the world (even under Obama) and Venezuela.

You lose credibility when you say things like this that have no basis in reality.

Ok Milton Friedman, who has a more deregulated economy than the US?

Wonder what reason Obama will come up with to take over Wal-mart?

(11-11-2013 09:40 AM)GoApps70 Wrote:  Wonder what reason Obama will come up with to take over Wal-mart?

They harbor to many tea party terrorists!

(11-11-2013 09:37 AM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  Ok Milton Friedman, who has a more deregulated economy than the US?

Singapore
Switzerland
Australia
New Zealand
Chile
Hong Kong (if you separate it from China)

Those are the slam dunks, and there are at least a handful more you could make an argument for. Before you counter with a "But Singapore's housing..." or "Australia's minimum wage..." think about our economy as a whole.

We have one of the most highly regulated financial systems in the world (and that was true even before the regulatory behemoth that is Dodd-Frank). We have one of the most highly regulated health care systems in the world (and that was true even before the 10,000+ pages of Obamacare regulations). We have a central bank with an $85 billion per month, open-ended quantitative easing program. Bank bailouts. Auto bailouts. FATCA. Corporate and economic espionage through the NSA. Numerous regulatory agencies, armed like paramilitary groups, who can seize all of your assets, even if they never charge you with a crime. Which part of that says laissez-faire to you?

I think we all know why leftists keep pushing this lie though. Because deep down, you know your centrally-planned nightmare is going to end in disaster, and you want to be able to falsely blame the "free market" again.