Which Has The Better Economy: Argentina Or Chile?

[ajoknoblauch]

I'd like to point out something since it was posted that in Argentina the poor do not have to chip in.

I know that it appears that way but in fact they do. There is a tax that damages them more than it damages those better off (though they get hit as well). It is the hidden tax of inflation. Any time a country provides so many benefits (free education, free medical care, subsidized stuff and what have you) that they can't possibly cover it from the tax base without causing an insurrection but they do it anyway to buy votes, then print the money to pay for it - the result is inflation - the most unfair and horrible tax of all. The worst part is, as stated, it hits the poor worse than anyone.

This is what is wrong with socialism. I know that people will scream in defense of it, but that is because they don't understand the economics of it all.

Argentina does not have socialism. It has Peronist patronage politics.

 

[germano]

I'd like to point out something since it was posted that in Argentina the poor do not have to chip in.

I know that it appears that way but in fact they do. There is a tax that damages them more than it damages those better off (though they get hit as well). It is the hidden tax of inflation. Any time a country provides so many benefits (free education, free medical care, subsidized stuff and what have you) that they can't possibly cover it from the tax base without causing an insurrection but they do it anyway to buy votes, then print the money to pay for it - the result is inflation - the most unfair and horrible tax of all. The worst part is, as stated, it hits the poor worse than anyone.

This is what is wrong with socialism. I know that people will scream in defense of it, but that is because they don't understand the economics of it all.

ajo already pointed out that it is not socialism in Argentina. In fact what you are describing as offering benefits to certain groups of the population (or certain regional districts) to "buy" their votes has been an issue in many democracies (liberal democracies that is). In the US it is usually called "pork barrel spending" ...

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Plenty of money printing going on in the US, I think we need a new -ism to describe Fed Reserve subvention of the economic system. Socialism is wrong when applied to individuals and correct when applied to corporations and financial markets?

I'm confused.

Not a socialist, nor left wing idealist before anyone starts lecturing me on wealth production etc...

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Plenty of money printing going on in the US, I think we need a new -ism to describe Fed Reserve subvention of the economic system. Socialism is wrong when applied to individuals and correct when applied to corporations and financial markets?

I'm confused.

Not a socialist, nor left wing idealist before anyone starts lecturing me on wealth production etc...

Essentially, it's the Fed's way around Republican obstructionists, who would like to see the country fail.

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

Essentially, it's the Fed's way around Republican obstructionists, who would like to see the country fail.

Very black and white thinking, if you unravel the thread and look back at appointments of the respective parties and policies in financial services you would see that there is no difference in direction or emphasis in policy. Do you believe that the GOP bogeyman would do anything differently ?

The great illusion in US politics, that one side is significantly different to the other. Wealth distribution and foreign policy are on the same well worn trajectory regardless of who sits in the hot seat.

 

[sleslie23]

Very black and white thinking, if you unravel the thread and look back at appointments of the respective parties and policies in financial services you would see that there is no difference in direction or emphasis in policy. Do you believe that the GOP bogeyman would do anything differently ?

The great illusion in US politics, that one side is significantly different to the other. Wealth distribution and foreign policy are on the same well worn trajectory regardless of who sits in the hot seat.

Best politics-related post in the history of BAExpats!

 

[ajoknoblauch]

Very black and white thinking, if you unravel the thread and look back at appointments of the respective parties and policies in financial services you would see that there is no difference in direction or emphasis in policy. Do you believe that the GOP bogeyman would do anything differently ?

The great illusion in US politics, that one side is significantly different to the other. Wealth distribution and foreign policy are on the same well worn trajectory regardless of who sits in the hot seat.

No, this essentially sums it up: http://tinyurl.com/kwp6l3d

 

[Dublin2BuenosAires]

No, this essentially sums it up: http://tinyurl.com/kwp6l3d

In your own abrupt style; No. it doesn't.

Me: The US prints money too you know, in a weird way corporate socialism exists there

You: Republicans obstruct everything

Me: No, the policies are the same over a 20 year history in respect of deregulation, changes in what banks are and how they can behave.Effectively it's an inside job and the political parties are mere conduits.

You: No (no what by the way?), look Republicans don't like Medicare

Since I have no stake in the game and neither a Democrat or Republican I won't continue discussing this with you. You want to bang a particular drum which has no relevance to the conversation at hand.

Much like the person who has been trolling you recently you rarely answer direct questions and almost always make abrupt confrontational statements without feeling the need to make them relevant to the conversation at hand. Trying to discuss something you is futility defined.

 

[ghost]

Wow two rights in a row from people nonaligned . This thread has the potential to hit the "PIZZA" meter.
"Which Has The Better Economy: Argentina Or Chile?" What criteria serves to define the term Better.

 

[camberiu]