Socialism: Let's all be poor together. Except for our glorious leaders, they can still live like kings.

Their economy has been based on oil. When the oil market crashes, so does their economy, and they are not self sufficient in agriculture.

What? Are you telling me that the Socialist geniuses all around Hugo Chavez didn't diversify their command economy? And more to the point, why are you making excuses for them? They grabbed the power and like every other time, their Socialist worker's paradise Utopia only leads to misery and scarcity.

Excuses? I am just elaborating on their economic situation. Chavez took a dictators approach to management, and corruption has spread everywhere, including lawlessness and crime.

I attacked a left wing government and you countered with what sounded like an excuse. Am I wrong on that? And another little footnote, it sure seems that wherever you find the Progressive Left, it is a hotbed for corruption, be it Chicago, New York, behind the Iron Curtain or in any banana republic like Venezuela or Argentina. Big government (force/coercion) is bad, speaking in general terms. You in or out?

Yeah, it seems you've made assumptions. It's important to note Chavez has a militant attitude inspired by communist models which may be the toxic element you are noticing in those big governments you mention.

lol, what made you think I was saying militant attitudes weren't present in those countries? You seem to have a massive reading problem.

Are you defending Socialism or not? You are so all over the place it's hard to tell. And if you are defending left wing politics, please tell me why you and your government cronies should have more say in how to spend the money that I earn? Why should my freedom and personal wealth diminish because you say so?

It's foolish to suggest there are less government cronies on the right. Venezuela's big problem is violence and corruption.

You didn't answer either of my simple, direct questions. I'm not the least bit surprised.

Again, assumption. I haven't been telling you what to do with your money. You are just misdirecting your anger.

What gives you the right to tell me what to do with more of my money that I earned with my honest labor? It's a simple question.

You make too many assumptions to refute them all. Your simpleton attitude to politics and your insults prove you are just an angry whinger. Life is more complex than extreme left and right.