New takeovers as Chavez accelerates his "revolution"

[The Northerner]

CARACAS (Reuters) – A string of nationalizations in Venezuela in recent days show President Hugo Chavez is pushing ahead with takeovers that critics say are undermining an economy that is already the worst performing in South America.

Almost all the businesses expropriated during the 12-year rule of the firebrand leftist have struggled to maintain production levels -- a prime example being the OPEC member's troubled steelmaker Sidor.

"Firms operate under the permanent threat of confiscation ... The state of despair and uncertainty is generalized," said Mauricio Cardenas, director of the Latin America Initiative at the Washington-based Brookings Institution think tank.

"The economic model that has taken hold in Venezuela does not work. Without legal protection, there is no investment, and without investment, there is no growth," he said.

Rejecting allegations that economic production has been hurt by its policies, the government says people are better off under Chavez.

In recent days, the president has ordered the takeover of a major fertilizer plant, a motor lubricants maker, more farmland and agricultural supplies company Agroislena.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101014/ts_nm/us_venezuela_nationalizations

[SoCalDem]

1. I know that many here loathe Hugo, BUT we all have to think about something

What is the purpose of "country"...or "citizenship"?

Are ALL citizens of a country "worthy" of anything that country/government can/should provide?

Are the resources of that country to be reserved for only the rich? or does/should citizenship convey benefit to ALL?

If you think of it as a family structure, being part of a particular family DOES afford one a "special benefit". Strangers don't just wander into a home & say "I am much wealthier than that kid of yours over there..I'll take HIS dinner". The family protects its own...shouldn't a country look out for its own citizens too?