World's Greatest Banana Republic

by Ron Russell

Recently Hugo Chavez commented on Obama and his continuing steps toward nationalization of various parts of the U.S. economy: the automotive industry, the banking system, to some extent the insurance companies, the proposed government administration of health care, and finally the move to bring many utilities under government regulation and ultimately government control. The government is also studying the possibility of a "value added tax" in other words a national sales tax. Others, on the left, are seeking to limit free speech on the nations airways by using the FCC to further limit and control what goes out over the various radio stations throughout the United States---these efforts are aimed at those commentators on the right. Things are quickly spinning out of control. There are parallels to this in recent history. Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Salvador Allende in Chile. Most are somewhat familiar with Chavez, but some may not remember Allende in Chile. Let me just summarize: Allende came to power in 1970, he was a Marxist socialist. He quickly nationalized the large industry in Chile, the Copper production industry, he then proceeded to install government administration over the nations health care industry, he began to create many so-called public works programs. When the nation began to experience rampant inflation, he instituted price control and defaulted on Chilean international debt. Under Allende and his Marxist-social government the GPA of Chile was a negative 5.6 percent. Allende's reign ended with a military coup in 1973, as it became obvious he would win in the next presidential election. Chile is now a staple and free democracy with a relatively free economy. Source of this data is Wikipedia .

We are quickly moving down the road of Chile in the early 1970's and the dangers of that road are many and most refuse to believe that this is happening. They have their heads in the sands of ignorance. They think that no matter what this nation will, "long endure". They see our past problems and subsequent victory over them. They think the ship can always, "right itself". They continue to believe in the American way, "as it slips away". They are living in a, "a fool's paradise". We are on our way to becoming the "World's Greatest Banana Republic". Sadly, it may take this to right the ship again.

The below article came from: Lone Star Times

""Hugo Chavez may be a loon, but he knows a socialist when he sees one. And he sees one in Barack Obama.

During one of Chavez’s customary lectures on the “curse” of capitalism and the bonanzas of socialism, the Venezuelan leader made reference to GM’s bankruptcy filing, which is expected to give the U.S. government a 60 percent stake in the 100-year-old former symbol of American might.

”Hey, Obama has just nationalized nothing more and nothing less than General Motors. Comrade Obama! Fidel, careful or we are going to end up to his right,” Chavez joked on a live television broadcast.

Chavez called Georgie W. Bush “El Diablo.” He calls Obama “Comrade.” I don’t think that does much for Obama’s credentials as an advocate for human rights and freedom or a champion of capitalism. But he does have the affection of ruthless Communists.

Obama makes a mockery of John Kennedy’s eloquent statement of American principle:

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

I’ll bet Obama and friends had a good laugh at that one.

Chavez has nationalized Venezuela’s economy industry by industry. Is Obama trying to follow his leadership?""