News Would you like fries with that? For $133?

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Venezuela's socialist policies, characterized by extensive handouts and protectionism, have led to significant economic challenges, including hyperinflation and the inability of McDonald's to serve fries due to restrictions on sourcing non-Venezuelan potatoes. The fast-food chain has recently resumed offering fries, but at an exorbitant price of $133 for a large serving, which constitutes about 10% of the average monthly salary in Venezuela. This situation has sparked a mix of humor and criticism regarding the implications of socialism. Some participants in the discussion draw parallels between Venezuela's issues and similar practices in other countries, including the U.S., where government subsidies exist across various sectors. The conversation also touches on the distinction between government corruption and the broader economic systems of socialism and capitalism, suggesting that the failures in Venezuela may be more attributable to corruption than to socialism itself.
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I thought this was a joke when I first saw it, but it is not. Venezuela's socialist policies of massive handouts and protectionist ((causing inflation and prohibiting McDonalds from using non-Venezuelan potatoes) caused McDonalds to stop serving fries w/ their meals there but they have now brought them back, using Venezuelan potatoes. For $133 per large serving. This is about 10% of the average monthly salary in Venezuela.

Let's hear it for socialism !

venezuela.jpg
 
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phinds said:
they have now brought them back, using Venezuelan potatoes. For $133 per large serving.

Well, at that price I hope they serve them fresh and hot and with a generous drizzling of non-iodized sea salt..
 
With a catered table expensive server ware and preferred seating too.

Actually this sounds like first class flying.
 
jedishrfu said:
With a catered table expensive server ware and preferred seating too

Yes, I'm envisioning Michael Caine in a butler outfit with the white towel thrown over his forearm saying, "Your fries, sir.." :biggrin:
 
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jedishrfu said:
But then that means you'd be Batman.

Well, I think you'd have to Batman to steal, I mean afford, fries at that price...

"Some green tea with your Micky D's fries, sir?"

http://img.moviepilot.com/assets/tarantulaV2/embedded_images/1378301928_art_michael_caine2.jpg
 
Chavez' daughter Maria could order local fries everyday. She's worth aroundhttp://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/08/10/hugo-chavez-daughter-is-richest-individual-in-venezuela-report-claims/ Perhaps she invented the iPhone. She and her siblings might require home fries delivery though, since they refuse to move out of the presidential mansion long after the death of Chavez. Yes, let's here it for socialism.
 
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phinds said:
socialist policies of massive handouts and protectionist ...

Let's hear it for socialism !

Massive handouts and protectionism aren't exclusive to socialism:

The United States currently pays around $20 billion per year to farmers in direct subsidies as "farm income stabilization"[12][13][14] via U.S. farm bills. These bills pre-date the economic turmoil of the Great Depression with the 1922 Grain Futures Act, the 1929 Agricultural Marketing Act and the 1933 Agricultural Adjustment Act creating a tradition of government support.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_subsidy#United_States

http://www.economist.com/news/unite...mers-grow-subsidies-instead-milking-taxpayers

I think it's lazy to attribute the failings of some particular government to an entire economic system.
Do we say capitalism has failed because USA healthcare costs 2.5 times the OECD average yet has below average results? Or that socialism has succeeded because more socialist leaning countries top the 'worlds happiest countries' year on year?
Capitalism is the best of a bad bunch but there's plenty of evidence that shows some socialist leaning policies can produce better outcomes. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.
 
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phinds said:
Venezuela's socialist corrupt policies of massive handouts and protectionist

It's more a case of government corruption, than socialism.
 
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  • #11
Astronuc said:
It's more a case of government corruption, than socialism.
Whether I agree w/ you or not, I strongly disapprove of your editing my comment to give the false impression that what YOU said is what I said.
 

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