Posted on 10/16/2001 3:02:07 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
HARARE, Zimbabwe -- (AP) -- Zimbabwe will abandon market-based economic policies and return to a socialist-style economy, President Robert Mugabe announced Monday. Businesses opposed to the move should ``pack up and go,'' he said.
Mugabe said a price freeze on basic foods imposed Friday will be strictly enforced, and the government will seize firms that shut down, withhold their goods or engage in illegal profiteering.
``Let no one on this front expect mercy . . . The state will take over any businesses that are closed,'' Mugabe said. ``We will reorganize them with workers and at last that socialism we wanted can start again.''
Zimbabwe dropped its socialist economic policies a decade after it gained independence in 1980 and embraced Western-style economic reforms. In recent years, Zimbabwe's economy has become crippled by out-of-control inflation, unemployment and a shortage of hard currency.
Analysts say the crisis began with the country's expensive military involvement in the Congo war and worsened when ruling party militants began occupying white-owned commercial farms, which generate much hard currency in this agricultural-based economy.
On Monday, Mugabe offered a challenge to anyone unhappy with the country's new economic direction. ``Those tired of doing business here can pack up and go,'' he said.
Independent economist Howard Sithole said Mugabe's remarks set ``a depressing outlook for private enterprise.''
``We are putting the clock back to shortages and food lines we had in the 1980s. Manufacturers will have to scale down, forget about any new investment at all and hope this is a temporary political measure that can be removed'' after presidential elections early next year, he said.
On Friday, the government ordered price cuts of 5 percent to 20 percent on corn meal, bread, meat, cooking oil, milk, salt and soap. During the weekend, bread, cooking oil and margarine were unobtainable.
mugabe is certifiable
Nah, it can't be brutal dictatorships and idiot leaders: Globalization must be to blame! Just because a planned economy has never worked doesn't mean Zimbabwe shouldn't try!
And people wonder why most of Africa remains a black hole of poverty and misery.
It didn't take long for some staple foods to dry up. I'll bet all that stuff is available on the black market now.
Socialism and communism has been tried in many countries, and it does not work. But as long as these elite/dictators have all they want they don't care about common man.
This dream just won't fade away...and never will as long as people are told that "all men are created equal".
(Can't have those nasty white farmers and other successful businessmen making all the money, now, can we? Why, that's social injustice!)
On Friday, the government ordered price cuts of 5 percent to 20 percent on corn meal, bread, meat, cooking oil, milk, salt and soap. During the weekend, bread, cooking oil and margarine were unobtainable.Funny how that works, isn't it?
Ah yes.... democratic pluralism, socialist style. Funny how all the commie apologists never seem to mention this simple fact -- debate in a "people's paradise" is essentially, "Do it my way -- or else!"
Mugabe is following the leadership of Fidel Castro and taking Zimbabwe the way of Cuba. Nowhere but slavery.
Hugo Chavez is laying the groundwork in Venezuela for a socialist takeover.
Again, as he is in many third world countries, Fidel Castro is guiding Chavez toward dictatorial control.
Yes. Why end up endlessly fixing problems and leaving people in poverty imposed by dictators who blame it on us?
We might as well show them the way. Like this: What the Afghans need is colonizing
Heavens, no! We want revenge, the hell with learning and prospering.
It can only be done through force.
BUMP!
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