Lockdown could last another 6 to 10 weeks

[Dougie]

Peronism is a very scary political ideology and movement. It was inspired by European fascism and authoritarianism, born out of military coup and used (and uses) persecution and oppression of political option as well as exacerbating vicious class divides to hold on to power. Meanwhile it is "neither capitalist nor socialist" but there are a lot of private companies and business interests involved in making a lot of money from it all.

It idealises a military general and his first wife (who had a taste for Lanvin gowns and diamond tiaras) while its second first lady and president lead the military in the forced disappearance of people. The rest that followed have a long list of corruption scandals against their names. Minor details.

Today it clings to almost century old black and white photos and clips of fiery speeches and impassioned masses to invoke a sense of nostalgia for a past that is always, just so slightly, out of reach and better than the present. But it never projects images of a future. It speaks of creating more fair society but (with the exception of a few photo opportunities) has never actually reduced poverty or transformed villas into normal middle class neighbourhoods let alone neighbourhoods with paved roads and running water despite having been in charge of Argentina for longer than anyone else, it still always manages to be "someone else's fault". That "enemy of the people" again.

Politics here is tribal, footbalista mentality at its worst. The only thing keeping many of its followers so loyal and passionate, like any football fan, are their own XXL egos. To think differently would be to admit being wrong in the past, no matter how many championships their team looses since then, as long as they can still celebrate the odd win at a friendly match. It certainly does not help when the only thing you have to look forward to in life is a $10k discretionary payout to put some meat on your asado. Play with their emotions on one side and their stomachs on the other. Politics 101 - anyone would think many of our politicians / champagne-peronists living in Puerto Madero or Recoleta actually studied at university how to manipulate the masses while they are warm inside imaging how happy lives in the villas must be for their loyal followers because they turned on taps to 500 uninsulated shacks or opened a new soup kitchen named after Evita.

My opinion is that many Argentines want a middle ground solution but when it comes time to vote they don't even get the option. It is always one extreme or the other and nothing ever actually changes as a result of that.

Very well put.

The problem is the opposition is quite pathetic. Is there any hope of a viable alternative in the next 10 years? I don't view the main figures of PRO as particularly competent and/or inspiring.

 

[Redpossum]

 

[gracielle]

The problem is the opposition is quite pathetic. Is there any hope of a viable alternative in the next 10 years? I don't view the main figures of PRO as particularly competent and/or inspiring.

At this point in time I do not foresee Macri throwing his hat in the ring as a presidential candidate in 2023. One person to keep an eye on who might obtain the support of the coalition and that of Macri and some members of PRO is Alfredo Víctor Cornejo Neila (born, Mendoza, March 20, 1962). He is an Argentine politician, belonging to the Unión Cívica Radical (UCR). He has held the position of National Deputy for Mendoza since December 10, 2019 and has been President of the UCR National Committee since December, 2017. He was Governor of the province of Mendoza between December 10, 2015 and December 10, 2019. Previously, he served as mayor of the city of Godoy Cruz, Mendoza between 2007 and 2015.

 

[on the brink]

What about Maria Eugenia Vidal? Many believe that if Macri had stepped aside she could have won the presidency.

 

[gracielle]

What about Maria Eugenia Vidal? Many believe that if Macri had stepped aside she could have won the presidency.

As the scuttlebutt goes within PRO, she might be considering running for mayor of CABA to replace Rodriguez Larretta. He cannot be re-elected for a third term. Sometime in January she established her address of residence in CABA. And Cristian Ritondo as possible candidate for governor of the province of BsAs.

 

[antipodean]

As the scuttlebutt goes within PRO, she might be considering running for mayor of CABA to replace Rodriguez Larretta. He cannot be re-elected for a third term. Sometime in January she established her address of residence in CABA. And Cristian Ritondo as possible candidate for governor of the province of BsAs.

I don't have so much knowledge about Larretta other than he was head of ANSES under (peronist) Menem and has worked with various political factions over time and has also written many books that seem to display a strong social conscience - I do appreciate his down to earth and calm style and ability to put politics aside and work with whoever on whatever is needed. Am not a fan of his handling of COVID refusing to lockdown heavily infected areas / buildings etc.

Plus CABA is really a great city to live in (for Latin America) and have seen continuous improvements over the years since 2015 for the most part. Public spaces are well maintained. Cool things like health monitoring stations and free bikes have popped up along with more safer bike lanes. Better bus systems and traffic controls. Also understand many schools have been opened and some housing projects completed in various villas (e.g. 31 next to the autopista on the port side) Security also feels to have improved with greater visibility of police and more professional conduct and there has even be less dog poop on the streets (Until recently.... I think quarantine is giving people an excuse not to clean up after their dogs and its back to playing dodge-em!)

 

[on the brink]

Hope Larreta runs for President - he has done a lot for CABA.

No wonder that inept midget, Kiciloff, is so desperate to tear him down.

 

[gracielle]

And, as we speak, there is a group, with no previous political experience, taking its first steps to form a new party, Unidos, with intent to enter the political arena in 2023. Two of the persons involved are media personalities. They have already spoken publicly re: such plan. Gustavo Segré: international analyst, partner of Center Group and professor at the Paulista University. He has lived for the past 15 years in Sao Paolo.

And Roberto Cachanosky: Born in Buenos Aires in 1955. He has a degree in economics from the Universidad Católica Argentina. Economic consultant. He taught in postgraduate courses dictating the subjects Superior Economics, Economics and Institutions and Macroeconomics. He has taught courses in economics for non-economists and economics for journalists. He is the editor of the Weekly Economic Report and runs the website www.economiaparatodos.com.ar. He has published the books Economy for All and The Argentine Syndrome.

 

[sts7049]

too bad the K supporters and peronistas don't chime in here

 

[on the brink]

Have been reading Economia Para Todos for a while now. In my view, Cachanosky is a clear thinker, and a good writer. And, rare for an economist, he has good horse-sense.