humanities.philosophy.objectivism

Hugo Chavez, the socialist leader of Venezuela, has been orchestrating
the nationalization of business after business in that country. He
has seized the highly profitable foreign owned oil companies in
Venezuela. Upon trying to operate the petroleum businesses with his
socialist philosophy, he has run them to the ground. However, the
issue in moral economics is not what system produces the most
gasoline, but who, in justice, retains one's owned property.

As history shows, socialism demands a steady supply of fuel in the
form of sacrificial, economic victims. With the rapid seizure of
domestic and foreign owned property, Thief Chavez's socialist
philosophy seemed to be working as designed--stoking the diminishing
fire of consumption at an almost steady rate, drawing out socialism's
time. But, then Raider Chavez came upon a road block. Exxon Mobil
took a principled, capitalist stand, winning compensation for the
property Robber Chavez stole, in international court. This was
something that the socialist plan had not foreseen.

So, if extorting oil property, owned by businessmen, no longer
energizes the fire of Venezuela, what will? There are few businessmen
left in that country who are easy targets of robbery. Since there is
little in Venezuela, domestically, left to steal, what about the
property of foreign businessmen in Columbia, or other South American
neighbors? It looks like Bandit Chavez's march of socialism has come
to its inevitable, long-run conclusion--as it has just been announced
that Looter Chavez is massing troops and tanks on Columbia's border.

South American countries, perhaps you don't want U.S. intervention.
If so, we can respect that. But with Plunderer Chavez, a majority
elected, Hitler-like aggressor on your doorstep, it may be wise for
those of you near Venezuela to, quickly, agree to a defense pact to
protect businessmen within your borders from a pattern of further
theft, and your governments from war.

Paul Wharton
American Objectivist