SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES
The lessons the United States can learn from Venezuela
Oct 31, 2016, 4:24 PM
Supporters of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro during a rally outside Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Oct. 28, 2016. For the most part, residents of Venezuela's capital ignored calls to stay home Friday to protest Maduro, handing a rare victory to the embattled leader. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
(AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela is falling apart at the seams. You know about the riots in the streets and the bare shelves in the stores.
I read as much about the situation as I can. It’s a complex one and there’s a temptation to simply it.
Yes, there actually is voter fraud in America
But there are themes that we in the United States can learn from within their crisis.
Venezuela sells as much oil to the U.S. as Saudi Arabia but most of their people live in poverty. Why? Where does all the oil money go?
All the money goes to one industry. You know which industry? Government!
The citizens get scraps like free books and free healthcare, while the oil money goes into the hands of government officials.
The United States is not immune to this cancer of socialism and redistribution. But we do have a functioning constitution and the heritage of being born free Americans.
As always, please listen to the full audio clip for complete context.
