No, this isn't Zimbabwe, it's Venezuela- a country rich in oil.

In Venezuela, they are now standing in line to get powdered milk. Not whole, 2%, 1%, or skim, but powdered. Not chocolate or strawberry in half-gallons, quarts or pints, in cardboard or glass, but powdered.

It isn't just milk either. Beef? Good luck. Sugar? Try again. Chicken, eggs or rice? Not in Venezuela.

The food shortage is so bad, that Venezuela imported 74,000 tons of food items last month, just to avoid a 'food crisis'. Chavez has demanded that food producers increase production, but the country still faces shortages.

It is undeniable is the inability of socialism to meet the needs of people. In Zimbabwe, they face the same problems, for the same reasons. And respond in same socialist fashion.

While Venezuela earns record proceeds from oil exports, consumers face shortages of meat, flour and cooking oil. Annual inflation has risen to 16 percent, the highest in Latin America, as Chávez tripled government spending in four years.

The bolivar has tumbled 30 percent this year to 5,250 per dollar on the black market, the only place it trades freely because of government controls on foreign exchange. That compares with the official rate of 2,150 per dollar set in 2005. Chávez may have to devalue the bolivar to reduce the gap and increase oil proceeds, which make up half the government's revenue.

Chavez's socialist policies will reduce Venezuela to the same level as Zimbabwe, despite the record oil revenues. There are already food shortages, and inflation. For $10,000,000 Zimbabwe, you can buy one gallon of Heartland Creamery milk, but not much else. The strong bolivar will follow the same path.

Only, in Venezuela and Zimbabwe, there isn't any milk to buy. Telling someone, 'I bought a gallon of milk today' would be a big deal. People would want to know where you bought it and was there any left.

Socialism fails everywhere it is tried. It always has, and always will. While capitalism may be the unequal distribution of wealth, socialism is the equal distribution of poverty. The only exception is the ruling elite.

I doubt Hugo was waiting in line for powdered milk.

Source: allamericanblogger.com
Aditional Info: msnbc.msn.com
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