I read the following article, and it reminds of the
same kind of rhetoric coming from the Democratic Party. They haven’t threatened to throw business
owners in jail, yet. But we’ve heard
their desires to confiscate their property and takeover whole industries.
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan President
Nicolas Maduro is extending price controls and will place limits on profits as
he extends attempts to curb the galloping inflation that is eroding support for
his rule.
Maduro made the announcement in a late-night
television address Sunday in which he also vowed to step up inspections of
businesses selling shoes, clothing, automobiles and other goods to make sure
they aren't gouging consumers.
"We can't just close the businesses; the
owners have to go to jail," Maduro said in an impassioned speech in which
he cited Jewish, Muslim and Christian texts to harangue businessmen he accuses
of usury. "We can't allow our hard currency to be used to rob people
through the sale of these goods."
Huge crowds of government loyalists and
opponents formed outside appliance stores over the weekend after Maduro ordered
the military to occupy the Daka chain of electronic stores and slash by more
than half prices for washing machines, televisions and other white goods.
While soldiers with assault rifles were deployed
to keep bargain hunters in check, at least one Daka store, in the country's
third largest city of Valencia, was looted by unruly crowds, according to
photos and videos posted online.
Maduro Sunday night urged Venezuelans to remain
calm, saying that he won't allow the "parasitic bourgeoisie" to
overcharge consumers ever again.
To that end, he vowed to place percentage limits
on profit margins if congress approves a bill granting him special powers.
All tyrants want special powers.
