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Venezuela is on the brink of a complete economic collapse
WaPo ^ | 01-29-2016 | Matt O'Brien

Posted on 01/29/2016 5:48:57 PM PST by NRx

The only question now is whether Venezuela's government or economy will completely collapse first.

The key word there is "completely." Both are well into their death throes. Indeed, Venezuela's ruling party just lost congressional elections that gave the opposition a veto-proof majority, and it's hard to see that getting any better for them any time soon — or ever. Incumbents, after all, don't tend to do too well when, according to the International Monetary Fund, their economy shrinks 10 percent one year, an additional 6 percent the next, and inflation explodes to 720 percent. It's no wonder, then, that markets expect Venezuela to default on its debt in the very near future. The country is basically bankrupt.

That's not an easy thing to do when you have the largest oil reserves in the world, but Venezuela has managed it. How? Well, a combination of bad luck and worse policies. The first step was when Hugo Chávez's socialist government started spending more money on the poor, with everything from two-cent gasoline to free housing. Now, there's nothing wrong with that — in fact, it's a good idea in general — but only as long as you actually, well, have the money to spend. And by 2005 or so, Venezuela didn't.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Cuba; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Russia
KEYWORDS: collapse; communism; cuba; nicaragua; nicolasmaduro; russia; socialism; venezuela
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To: NRx

Not a peep from those Hollyweird morons like Sean Penn and Danny Glover— both Chavistas in once dying adoration for their holy leftist rebel in red. Hugo is now dead just like their ignorant, no-nothing brains.


21 posted on 01/29/2016 6:43:35 PM PST by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: NRx

Send sanders down there, he knows the Rx to fix it!


22 posted on 01/29/2016 6:47:47 PM PST by going hot (Happiness is a Momma Deuce)
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To: NRx

Of course it is. Socialism hurts people.


23 posted on 01/29/2016 6:49:49 PM PST by pieceofthepuzzle
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To: NRx
Could it get worse. It is.

Pregnant women in scarcity-hit Venezuela battle to dodge Zika
24 posted on 01/29/2016 6:52:18 PM PST by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media. #2ndAmendmentMatters)
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To: PAR35

They also claimed a state of emergency and gave all the authority back to El Presidente.


25 posted on 01/29/2016 6:56:15 PM PST by VTenigma (The Democratic party is the party of the mathematically challenged)
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To: SaveFerris

President Obama has essentially followed Chavez’ lead.

Chavez intimidated their Supreme Court to give him more power.

Chavez shut down opposition press. Obama did not have to, they followed him slavishly.

Chavez cut the power of the legislature to nearly nothing. Sound familiar?


26 posted on 01/29/2016 7:02:14 PM PST by marktwain
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To: Autonomous User

That smell is just because they haven’t had toilet paper in 2 years.


27 posted on 01/29/2016 7:03:56 PM PST by uncitizen (TRUMP THE SYSTEM)
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To: WildHighlander57

“Socialism don’t work!”

It only hasn’t worked because the right people haven’t had enough control of it yet.


28 posted on 01/29/2016 7:04:36 PM PST by Blue Collar Christian (Ready for Teddy, Cruz that is.)
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To: NRx

With the price of oil so low, I wouldn’t doubt it.


29 posted on 01/29/2016 7:04:40 PM PST by CPT Clay (Hillary: Julius and Ethal Rosenberg were electrocuted for selling classified info.)
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To: marktwain; RushIsMyTeddyBear; metmom; CynicalBear; SkyPilot; tuffydoodle; tang-soo; ...
Meanwhile, in Venezuela:




30 posted on 01/29/2016 7:06:59 PM PST by SaveFerris (Be a blessing to a stranger today for some have entertained angels unaware)
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To: NRx

So I guess now we’ll be taking in Venezuelan refugees.

And then WE’LL be forced to give them, free housing, free food, free healthcare, our jobs (if they want to work of course) and they’ll be like the Mexicans living in our country off of our backs and living better than us.

‘Merica!


31 posted on 01/29/2016 7:15:08 PM PST by Lil Flower (American by birth. Southern by the Grace of God. ROLL TIDE!!)
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To: NRx

But, but, but.....how can that be?

Venezuela is supposed to be the flagship of communism!


32 posted on 01/29/2016 7:20:13 PM PST by spel_grammer_an_punct_polise (Why does every totalitarian, political hack think that he knows how to run my life better than I?)
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To: Lil Flower

I’m just going to guess you haven’t been to South Florida lately...
Wave number three is about to swarm the borders.


33 posted on 01/29/2016 7:20:52 PM PST by sarasmom
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To: Rome2000
Send in "Josh Earnest"

Or Admiral Kirby?

34 posted on 01/29/2016 7:45:55 PM PST by Mark17 (Thank God I have Jesus, there's more wealth in my soul than acres of diamonds and mountains of gold)
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To: deweyfrank

35 posted on 01/29/2016 7:46:47 PM PST by bkopto
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To: NRx
Now, there's nothing wrong with that, in fact, it's a good idea in general, but only as long as you actually, well, have the money to spend. And by 2005 or so, Venezuela didn't.

I take exception to this assertion.

You cannot help the poor by giving them things. There is no amount of money that will be ever sufficient. The idea is bad, even if you have surplus money with which to implement it. (for awhile.)

36 posted on 01/29/2016 7:48:32 PM PST by DiogenesLamp ("of parents owing allegiance to no other sovereignty.")
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To: NRx
Hmmmmmm. Whole lot of collapsing going on:

PETER SCHIFF: We're Going To Have An Economic Collapse And Negative Rates Before The Election

37 posted on 01/29/2016 7:54:52 PM PST by blam (Jeff Sessions For President)
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To: WildHighlander57

Most Sanders voters have no idea what socialism is, yes they are that dumb.


38 posted on 01/29/2016 7:56:29 PM PST by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
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To: pieceofthepuzzle

For some people. Socialism works great for those in power and yet the workers who vote for this are just to damn dumb to understand they are being ripped off.


39 posted on 01/29/2016 7:58:17 PM PST by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
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To: Mark17

http://theconservativetreehouse.com/2015/02/18/new-defense-secretary-ashton-carter-quickly-takes-down-pentagon-spokesperson-john-kirby/


40 posted on 01/29/2016 7:58:27 PM PST by Rome2000 (SMASH THE CPUSA-SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS-CLOSE ALL MOSQUES)
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