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In novels such as Ayn Rand's, nations suffering under socialism have major industries seized and/or severely regulated by government -- resulting in more shortages, not recovery.

 

Venezuela is a prime example of terminal socialism.  First, they placed the oil industry under management of government cronies, unfamiliar with petroleum exploration and exploitation, with the predictable shortages.  Then, other industries were seized (most investors were paid something, but this decreased as currency ran short).  Spanish investors were big losers.  Then, they seized farm land and, typical of such nationalizations, farm production dropped.  Sugar cane land was converted to corn -- corn doesn't like its feet permanently wet.  Beef production dropped.  Electrical brownouts are common.  Supermarkets were nationalized

 

Now, they are truly in terminal mode -- toilet tissue factory was nationalized.

"A Venezuelan state agency on Friday ordered the temporary takeover of a factory that produces toilet paper in what it called an effort to ensure consistent supplies after embarrassing shortages earlier this year.

 

Critics of President Nicolas Maduro say the nagging shortages of products ranging from bathroom tissue to milk are a sign his socialist government's rigid price and currency controls are failing. They have also used the situation to poke fun at his administration on social media networks.

A national agency called Sundecop, which enforces price controls, said in a statement it would occupy one of the factories belonging to paper producer Manpa for 15 days, adding that National Guard troops would "sa***uard" the facility.

 

"The action in the producer of toilet paper, sanitary napkins and disposable diapers responds to the state's obligation to ensure a steady supply of basic goods for the people," Sundecop said, adding it had observed "the violation of the right" to access such products.

Calls to the Manpa factory went unanswered.

 

Government supporters laud efforts by Maduro, the successor to late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, for maintaining tough regulations of private businesses.

 

They blame unscrupulous merchants for hoarding products to make quick profits, and celebrate the socialist government's legacy of social assistance programs."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/venez...ctory-002437055.html

 

Hoarding by merchants was the reason given for most nationalizations -- but government control didn't eliminate shortages.

 

Seen this cheap opera many times before.  Hugo Chavez may be dead, but Marx and his ghosts still haunt the nation.  And, Venezuela, will soon be wiped out, but not with TP.

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