Now that'll generate some solidarity, right there.
Posted on 07/10/2010 12:26:49 AM PDT by Stultis
As in all major government takeovers of private companies in Venezuela, President Hugo Chávez declared that seizing beer-and-food giant Polar's facilities here would mark another victory for the poor in the country's march toward socialism.
"Why is it that Polar has so much money?" Chávez asked in a February speech
...
Except this time, the president's plans went badly awry,
...
Polar [fought] back by taking its case to the Supreme Court, [and] its employees have risen up, too, rallying in opposition to Chávez's edict and holding all-night vigils to prevent a takeover.
...
employees said they oppose the government intervention because they think workers have fared badly at nationalized companies, where they have faced reduced wages and been unable to bargain collectively.
"At no time have we been taken into account and asked to say if we agree," said Richard Prieto, head of one of the two unions that represent more than 800 workers here.
Workers also said Polar offers wages and benefits that far outstrip those of other employers in Venezuela, including the state.
"We are saying no because we have seen the experiences of other expropriated companies," said Juan Tacoa, president of the other union. "Here in Polar, we have benefits we know we would not have with the government."
...
The revolt against the president's plans has been particularly embarrassing because it has come during a roiling scandal involving the state's mismanagement of food distribution. Over the past two months, tens of thousands of tons of imported food bound for state-subsidized markets has been found rotting at ports and in warehouses. Petróleos de Venezuela, the state oil company, was responsible for distributing the food, which included chickens, cereal and powdered milk.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
It's probably not too far off the mark to say the all Venuzuela is behind these workers. The article compares Polar to Proctor and Gamble in America. It produces dozens of beloved and/or staple products which Venezuelans have to know would rapidly disappear from store shelves if Hugo "Epic Fail" Chavez is allowed to succeed in his attack.
The case against the opposition in Venezuela has long been that it represents a rich elite.
If that ever was true, it is certainly no longer the case. The working class is turning against Hugobozo in droves.
Baby Huey will have to openly steal, or outright cancel, the election in 2012 in order to retain power.
Oliver Stone is deeply saddened.
Vaya con Dios, Venezuelans. I’ll be praying for you.
So the debate (at least insofar as the article addresses it) is between the state and the workers at the company. No word on what the owners and investors think (as if that’s a mystery). This isn’t good news but it is instructive in illustrating the new terms of our (soon to be) existence.
It won’t matter. Chavez will do it anyway.
That’s what dictators do.
Now that'll generate some solidarity, right there.
“bourgeoisie” wouldn’t that include workers with a good wage and benefits? What did the former supports expect?
One of the ‘fakest’ of fake breasts, if there is such a word.
Flat-chested women who ruin themselves completely with such contraptions are clinically insane. What a waste of an otherwise beautiful physique!
Imagine what they could accomplish with a Second Amendment.
He’s due for the Ceaucescu treatment, and his failure will be an anti-socialist talking point for many years. It will also provide much psychological trauma to the likes of Sean Penn and Michael Moore, and allow the rest of us plenty of opportunities to jeer the empty headed Hollywood Left.
this is not a “major victory for the poor”
but a major lost for the poor.
Washington Post thinks, stealing from the rich, makes the poor better
Yeah, don't doubt that's the general opinion at the ComPost. But this reporter, at least, does not push that view. If anything the opposite. Polar is described as large, profitable and a company that treats both it's customers and employees well. The employees are characterized, and quoted, as recognizing that their interests are far better served by this capitalist company than by Hugo's inept, corrupt and dishonest socialist government.
Eff em.
They voted for this communist POS, that the way the cookie crumbles.
They want to stop it, bullets cost a nickle apiece, cause that the only way its not going to happen.
I buy lots of Polar items that are in a can at the local market.
Such as Polar Shrimp in a can.
You guys voted for Obama.
So I guess whatever happens to you is ‘the way the cookie crumbles?’
Right?
The Tea Party, Arizona, Sarah Palin, the Supreme Court standing up for the 2nd Amendment - none of it means anything, because America voted for Obama and whatever happens is ‘the way the cookie crumbles?’
Right?
You should be cheering the people at Polar, but you prefer to betray them. Got it.
Maybe Chavez is their Obama.
Turning people against socialism for twenty years.
It seems the people are waking up in Venezuela. It’s a shame Chavez has caused so much damage in the meantime. Let’s hope Americans get smarter, faster.
The amazing thing is that people like Sean Penn and Stone really can’t see the tyrannical dictatorship for what it is. I would never have thought people would have been so stupid.
Chavez is so much like Hitler, and people don’t recognize it.
Yeah. Real nice. So, you're "effing" off those actively opposing the depredations of a tyrant, while you're doing what exactly?
Eff em, if they're not willing to pick up guns right now. Says, you, distant and safe, sitting at your effing keyboard.
Well, I say, unless your standing with these men, go eff yourself.
Plenty of petty tyrants and local communists to deal with right here in Miami, where people aren't afraid to call a commie a commie, and worse, ask Emilio Milian where his legs are.
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