[dfwgator]

Peron ruined Argentina. They should have been an economic powerhouse.

[Objective Scrutator]

The Videla regime had lots of promise to make Argentina into an economic powerhouse, especially with the brilliant Martinez de Hoz in charge of setting economic policy. One of the big reasons his regime failed was because some officers of the junta were opposed to privatizing much of the government functions, since these officers were nepotists and wanted to be guaranteed a cushy government job. Unfortunately, Videla and the other leaders either couldn't or didn't want to kill them.

The other problem was Bignone, who was stupid enough to get into a spat with the UK over the Falkland Islands and weaken the country over the resulting war. Bignone compromised with the socialists/unions too much in the aftermath of the war, letting the odious Alfonsin take control of the country. Argentina's been run by socialism ever since 1983.

It's very important for conservatives to read up on the history of Chile, Argentina, and several other Latin American countries dealing with socialism. If Admiral Barackbar or the Hildebeast give up their subtlety and push even harder for tyranny, we would do well to learn of their successes and failures.