Another Train Crash

[Bajo_cero2]

Federal police found it and a federal judge is investigating the case. What are you talking about?

 

[notebook.fix]

Some questions for the lawyer...WHO CONTROLS THE FEDERAL POLICE?

WHO CONTROLS THE FEDERAL JUDGES?

MACRI?
CARRIO?
CLARIN?

LIttle green men from outer space???

...............or the NATIONAL DESGOBIERNO KORRUPTO DE LA DEKADA K-GADA????????

WHO's going to be the acting federal judge??? TORTUGA CASANELO/BAEZ???
or the US$300,000 diamond ring OYOHERVIDO??????

 

[notebook.fix]

Surprise surprise...guess who's in charge of the case? Hand picked by Crisitna -Juez Ariel Lijo...the same K judge they put in charge of protecting Amado Bouludou in the Ciccone case....yes sure!! IMPARTIALITY is GUARANTEED! Justice will be done...Don't make me laugh! He has just as much credibility as Oyohervido in drag & diamonds or Juez Casanello BAez after granting the 'Rosadita' (ruta del dinero K) search warrant 4x weeks too late . What a farce! I can't wait till elections on the 27th. One day soon, all these Corrupt criminal K Judges & their support base will be hunted down, put on trial & JAILED!~

 

[sergio]

Public transportation, fare is $2.20ar: 50 cents. Kind of tough to maintain a service even with the subsidies. Doubt the fare even covers wages and the minute anyone suggests an increase in fares to upgrade and improve service, all hell breaks loose: burn the trains. You get the government you deserve and get what you pay for. Now hang me in hell.

Maybe if the subsidies actually went one hundred percent for operating costs there would be enough money.

 

[sergio]

You're presuming that most of the passengers are in fact paying. The last several times I've ridden on the Mitre line to Tigre, there's not been anybody bothering to check at either end.

That is correct. We are back to the Ferrocarriles Argentinos state run railway days when nobody paid. Still the orob is what happens tothe subsidies.

 

[sergio]

Thanks, El Queso, for your thoughtful analysis. Don't ever be intimidated by the naysayers on this forum. I always appreciate your posts. As usual, good job!

Living in Argentina has been such an economic education for me. Some people think it is so third world, but I don't really think so. I used to think that the government here was corrupt, but now I know the corruption is all the way to the root. It is the culture and few question it but most people want whatever they can get free, and either don't realize their fellow citizens are paying, or they don't care as long as they get theirs. That really is stealing. Those people who head for the train without stopping at the ticket office are thieves, though few here would call it that. Lack of integrity is accepted.

I could be wrong, but I think that integrity will never come to Argentina until someone begins. I decided it will begin with me and perhaps a few more of us who realize. I don't take advantage of the free stuff--although I do have subsidies with utilities, etc., but I don't deliberately take advantage because I know nothing is free. Some Argentines have to pay for what I take, if not out of pocket, then through inflation as government produces the money to pay for stuff. And inflation is the cruelest tax of all because it takes from the poor as well.

I'm not finding fault with those who have little choice though. It seems to me that no matter what government touches, it ruins. I don't mean just in Argentina. I know a lot of people think the government should take care of everything but there is too much human tendency to steal for it to work. If nothing else, politicians who handle the money will steal it if the opportunity is there. This is why a hammer in the States can cost $300 (or more) if on a government contract, because the politician gave the contract to his nephew. Stealing! But covered up by contracts. That is thievery just as much as piling on the subway without paying is stealing.

Bless your sweet wife for pointing it out. I never noticed that myself and I ride the train occasionally.

Your ideas about ethics are shared by almost no-one in Argentina. A very very tiny minority practice such ehics. They consider doing so foolish given the culture of corruption they face. Vicious circle.

 

[sergio]

When Menem privatized the new companies collected fares. I remember being fined for losing a ticket during those days. Collecting has broken down under Cristina's watch along with everything else. I agree that poor people can not be expected to pay when the service is miserable and even dangerous.. Could it be more like Europe? Yes. Not all of Europe is ruch. Plenty of poor people there too but transport even in the most impoverished parts of Europe is infinitely better than in BA. A question of priorities and values.

 

[ghost]

Y'all are proving my point. Corrupt to the core. It is okay to be corrupt because everybody else is corrupt. I respect if this is your value system. But you can excuse corruption all you want, and even put a different label on it. That's why it IS so corrupt here. Everyone excuses it--justifies it.

I couldn't believe it when an Argentinian explained this to me. He hates it. Says his grandfather came here from Spain and was an honest man. I heard this so many places that I asked an Argentina woman in a management position here if it is true. She thought a minute and said, "Yes, it is." Then she told me the most popular song ever in Argentina said, translated to English, "If you don't lie and you don't steal, you are stupid."

Don't misunderstand. I love Argentina and the Argentina people. But corruption is corruption, whether Christiana does it, or the person who runs and gets on the train without paying. It's all the same. NO ONE who does that should criticize people who work their way up to politics and do it there as well. What do you think? They will suddenly become honest when they get that position? No! They will just have a bigger opportunity to steal. A thief is going to be a thief--on the train or in the Casa Rosada. I have learned in Argentina that corruption does not come from the top, it comes from the bottom. It will never stop unless someone decides to choose integrity.

One question: Who's Ted Cruz?

Answer......

 

[arlean]

Dipoots. I am impressed. You can opt out of the subsidies? I didn't know that. I don't think you're an idiot. But I'm so surprised.

And Peony 54, I am sure you are right. Of course some people will always need help, I know that. But something is terribly wrong here in Argentina. I don't think we're going to resolve it on this forum. but It's sure been an education in economics for me. Economics is one of my favorite subjects and this is up close and personal.

About what people make here, I have a number of friends in Chile in little small businesses doing very well. I as surprised to hear that the per capita income of Chileans is higher than that in the U.S. My son's girlfriend brought her mother from Chile to visit me. I assumed they were struggling Latin Americans and I paid for literally everything for them. I assumed I'm U.S., they're Chile, my income, though modest, would be higher than theirs. Later talking to my son I was amazed when he told me what his girlfriend makes a week. SHE should have been treating ME (but I'm sure she had the whole thing in reverse with me being the rich American as most do).

 

[PhilipDT]

About what people make here, I have a number of friends in Chile in little small businesses doing very well. I as surprised to hear that the per capita income of Chileans is higher than that in the U.S.

I'd be surprised too if I found out that the per capita income of chileans was higher than that of americans.

However I'm not at all surprised to read out right fiction in your posts.
.

http://data.worldban.../NY.GDP.PCAP.CD