Gottlied wrote:
Venezuela until the 70 at least it was one of the richest in South America had a smaller population than it has today, and probably they were whiter. Equal to Mexico and Cuba. I do not really believe that 90% of Venezuelans were poor in the 90s, set poor, which is the poverty line for you ? I do believe that this reality may be true in countries like Bolivia and Haiti, but in Venezuela?
Well then if that is what being the “richest” is all about, they can take their riches and stick them you know where.
Venezuela was probably no different ethnically then then it is now. It may possibly be a bit darker since Chavismo because many of the Whites have fled the country. Also some darker Colombians have moved to Venezuela and they say that they lead a much better life in Venezuela than they did in Colombia.
It is 100% true, I heard that in 1989, 90% of the population could only afford one meal per day and on that basis, yes, they were living in poverty.
The Venezuelan elite blew it. They are only 10-20% of the population, and they stole every nickel that place ever produced and didn’t leave one dime for anyone else. 20% of the people screwed over 80% of the people something awful and for many decades. This is the sole reason for the popularity of Chavismo.
The truth about Venezuela is that this is a Left project that is working out quite well. They are doing most everything quite well, and they are failing in few if any ways. It is basically a workable Left project.
On the other hand, Chavismo has been a disaster for the Venezuelan elite, the oligarchy, the rich and the upper middle class.
This is why there is so much lying coming from the Right and the West about Venezuela. In order to tell the truth about Venezuela, you would have to say, “Well it’s been great for the 80% of Venezuelans who were poor or low income, but it has been quite bad for the 20% that were rich and the upper middle class.”
Ok, so what happens if you say that (the truth)? Most people all around the world will laugh in your face. I suppose many Americans would be outraged because Americans love the rich and hate everyone who has little money. Many Americans would probably demand that the US Army invade to protect all those poor, suffering rich people.
But really, that argument is just not likely to succeed. People will laugh in your face: “Oh! Poor babies! Those poor rich people! Did they have to sell one of their yachts? I bet they had to rent out one of their mansions! I weep for them, poor things!”
Since you cannot oppose Venezuela and tell the truth without looking like a rich suck-up, it is necessary to lie like crazy to convince regular people that Chavismo is not just bad for well to do folks, but it is bad for everyone else too.
Really this is the project of conservatism all down through time. Conservatism has always and forever more been dishonest, and really it has to be if it is going to succeed.
