Joseph P. Kennedy II for President

[King Coal]

We should embrace Hugo, not shove him away. Geez.



http://www.commondreams.org/views06/1224-21.htm

<snip>

Yes, Oil From Venezuela
by Joseph P. Kennedy II





Even though doing business with Venezuela has been very good for capitalists, the issue at hand is Chávez and his politics of socialism. Before we accept the characterizations of him as a socialist threat to our way of life, we ought to look at our own country -- ironically, a system of socialism for the rich and free enterprise for the poor.

The fact is that many of the bluest of our blue chip corporations may actually be wearing a shade of Hugo Chávez red beneath their suspenders -- with one major difference: They're fine with socializing the risks of capitalism, so long as they can privatize the profits. As for the poor? They're decidedly on their own.

Meanwhile, in Venezuela, the president is socializing his nation's oil profits. Poverty has dropped by 25 percent. State-sponsored provision of basic needs like food and healthcare has expanded.

So, sure, we'll distribute Hugo's oil. Doing so is called compassionate capitalism. Right now, our country's vulnerable families fend for themselves, while the well-to-do can afford to throw snowballs at our program from the security of their warm homes and offices.

</snip>


Now that's the kind of leadership we need.

[dailykoff]

1. Socializing corporate risks, privatizing profits --

that's the American way and it stinks. We should be doing a hell of a lot better.

[G_Leo_Criley]

2. k & r

good man joe...

:kick:

glc

[yy4me]

3. In a recent TV ad for subsidized heating oil for low income

families, he credited "our good friends in Venezuela". I was surprised to hear him say that but it is true. He has done good work for the disadvantaged and should be given praise. I don't think he wants to get back into politics. He serves better where he is.

[IndyOp]

4. A system of socialism for the rich and free enterprise for the poor...

Nicely said...

Externalizing the costs of doing business to American taxpayers is socialization for the rich, while the middle class and poor are left to fend for themselves (while paying the corporations' costs of doing business).

:mad:

[unblock]

5. "throw snowballs ... from ... their warm homes and offices"?

well, yes, they could be stockpiling snowballs in their freezers, but it certainly seems an oddly mixed metaphor.