Venezuela's Triumphant Socialist Paradise

#51
#51
No, not even close.

The government itself isn't, but Capitalism is an economic philosophy. They're very low regulations, no patent laws, less social programs, no pollution regulations, no low minimum wage. The only thing that's not capitalist is the protectionism, which is why they're gouging us.
 
#52
#52
The government itself isn't, but Capitalism is an economic philosophy. They're very low regulations, no patent laws, less social programs, no pollution regulations, no low minimum wage. The only thing that's not capitalist is the protectionism, which is why they're gouging us.

As someone who has spent time there and done business with them (including mainland China), I can tell you with certainty that China is not anywhere close to the US when it comes to capitalism.

And you cannot separate a country's economic system from the government that is in charge of making the rules.

Just the cronyism and corruption alone should be enough to dismantle your assertion.
 
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#53
#53
As someone who has spent time there and done business with them (including mainland China), I can tell you with certainty that China is not anywhere close to the US when it comes to capitalism.

And you cannot separate a country's economic system from the government that is in charge of making the rules.

Just the cronyism and corruption alone should be enough to dismantle your assertion.

We also have cronyism and corruption here also. The difference is we hide it better. Government and economic systems are separate philosophies. The complete opposite of a free market economy is a command economy. Does China control how much the factories can produce? Does the Chinese government directly own interest in the companies that produce/sell goods there? If the answer is no, then it's a free market economy.

The biggest thing I see that's not free market is the tariffs they charge to other countries. China is more free market when it comes to patent/copyright , and they have less restrictive regulations such as worker safety and pollution.
 
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#54
#54
We also have cronyism and corruption here also. The difference is we hide it better. Government and economic systems are separate philosophies. The complete opposite of a free market economy is a command economy. Does China control how much the factories can produce? Does the Chinese government directly own interest in the companies that produce/sell goods there? If the answer is no, then it's a free market economy.

The biggest thing I see that's not free market is the tariffs they charge to other countries. China is more free market when it comes to patent/copyright , and they have less restrictive regulations such as worker safety and pollution.

yes, look at steel. despite falling prices the Chinese government has forced that industry to keep producing at the same levels. killing other international steel right now. big reason the UK got out of the EU so they could attempt to change regulations on their steel production.
 
#55
#55
Equality achieved! Congrats socialists!
[twitter]https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/942439800765853697[/twitter]
 
#63
#63
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#64
#64
Communism and socialism are twin sisters. Neither are good for the people! The ruling dictators are the only ones it's good for.:twocents:
 
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#65
#65
We also have cronyism and corruption here also. The difference is we hide it better. Government and economic systems are separate philosophies. The complete opposite of a free market economy is a command economy. Does China control how much the factories can produce? Does the Chinese government directly own interest in the companies that produce/sell goods there? If the answer is no, then it's a free market economy.

The biggest thing I see that's not free market is the tariffs they charge to other countries. China is more free market when it comes to patent/copyright , and they have less restrictive regulations such as worker safety and pollution.

I find this post hilarious, because I have a BS in Economics.
 
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#66
#66
I find this post hilarious, because I have a BS in Economics.

Something like the Wild West was more democratic because it was less civil - now staying healthy and keeping what you had ...

I guess I've come to realize a couple of things in 70+ years. Socialism and Communism are just separated by degrees of totalitarianism; and like in any other totalitarian government (Nazi or other ism), they only survive through a strong central government. The outcome is always the same; those at the top plunder and live in style, and by far most of the rest would have had better days in feudal times regardless of the ism.

The other is that business has a symbiotic relationship with everyone else - something like a parasite and host. Henry Ford had the concept; if his employees had money he could sell to them. Too many companies haven't figured out that money spread thinly in foreign (and few domestic) worker's hands doesn't benefit anybody - it's a matter of starving the host until it doesn't provide nourishment (sales). You have to appreciate the nuclear concept of critical mass to understand that something works only when there is a sufficient base. It is just dragged out by ignoring facts through funny money - government debt and market Ponzi schemes.
 
#72
#72
Add Venezuela to the ****hole list
Venezuela would be in the final four of the world championship tournament in that regard.

Here's my final six (continents available, so somebody gets a bye):

South America - Venezuela
Europe - Tough choice actually, but I think I have to go with Moldova because it is landlocked.
Middle East - Yemen
Africa - Lay's Potato Chips. Can't eat (pick) just one.
North America - Jamaica
Asia - Pick 'em, but pretty much any place with a "stan" ending.
 
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