Posted on 03/27/2008 6:10:49 PM PDT by Stoat
What Mugabe failed to realise is that this election is different. This particular poll is about the economy. By failing to realise that, Mugabe has dug his own political grave.
Although he has vowed that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who is attracting very large numbers to his rallies, will not rule in his lifetime, the odds are strongly against him.
Whether he intends to rig the election or pull some magic trick is out of the question. What's now clear to all and sundry is that Zimbabweans are ready to do away with him and his cronies.
In fact, Zimbabweans have been itching for a long time to stick their middle fingers to his face. Now a chance has presented itself.
Under Mugabe's leadership, Zimbabwe's economy shrunk by over 70%. Inflation remains by far the highest in the world at above 100 000%.
Over 80% of the population is unemployed; most of the towns are without power or water; fuel and other goods are in short supply.
The country's foreign currency reserves have long dried up. Zimbabwe's currency is as good as toilet paper, and talking of which, sewage from burst pipes is a common site.
Exports are minimal, only enough to keep the economy alive. In fact, all that could go wrong has gone wrong here.
False promises
Mugabe is buying the electorate buses, food, and promises of wealth beyond imagination on condition he is returned to office.
But the electorate is not buying it.
Throughout his campaign, he has used threats to try cow voters into submission but the electorate will have none of it.
Instead of attracting investors, Mugabe continues to slam the door on foreign investors. Now, he wants to takeover all foreign companies.
Not so long ago, he presided over the expropriation of farmlands most of which were funnelled to his cronies. Agricultural output is plummeting. Experts believe it will take years to rebuild the agricultural sector.
Now, the aged leader is after mines and banks, as long as they belong to white people.
Mugabe told his supporters he would make them directors, give them free shares, and make some of them CEOs as part of efforts to empower black people, if only they vote him in.
Economic experts say Zimbabwe must first achieve some measure of economic stability before embarking on any form of wealth distribution.
Should he return, analysts are convinced he will unleash further economic mayhem.
Already Mugabe's economic policies have left the once thriving economy on its knees. He orders the central bank to print money for various purposes.
If he remotely finds his way back into office, South Africa and other neighbouring countries must effectively seal their borders.
Mugabe will only do more harm than good to the country.
If Mugabe gets re-elected, it is definitely neither the will nor the wish of the people of Zimbabwe.
Many posters there also fail to share the author's optimism for a brighter future, given the horrible track record of African governance.
Are they disarmed in Zimbabwe?
Mugabe will rule until he dies.
All those nice liberals who patted themselves on the back when he took power from those nasty colonial whites... I wonder if the average citizen of Zimbabwe appreciates their help.
I believe that they are. (the people that is, not the military or Mugabe's 'enforcers')
It seems that about all the people have available to them is witchcraft....
Zimbabwe's Harry Potter (After 107 year ban, Mugabe legalizes witchcraft and wizardry)
I have never referred to Rhodesia by any other name. Zimbabwe is a joke and is just another glimmering, or should I say smoldering example of the failure of marxism.
Anyone who thought kicking out the whites from africa was a good idea has been proven wrong. The blacks who took power after the whites ceded power were corrupt and inept, they remain so even today. And the smoldering ashes of Rhodesia and South Africa are a testament to that.
Hey, wait a minute...
Hey, wait a minute...
LMAO
Does it sound appealing? :-)
Strange, I don't hear the sounds of "spittin' Jesse" Jackson, Al "Mo Money!" Sharpton, Jeremiah "I hate white America" Wright and the Hussein-Obamas madly packing their things and rushing out the door to get to Zimbabwe and help Mugabe create his 'black man's paradise'
'snicker'
Agreed....I suppose that if you’re a psychotic, delusional misanthrope how could you possibly get a better gig than this?
I have wondered something. Given that the population of Zim is about 12 million, could the USA simply “buy” Zim at $1,000 a head and administer it for 99 years. We’d get paid back by the efficient development of natural resources, ZIm would benefit from competant management and training, and in 99 years they might be ready to take over in a well planned, well defined transfer of power. It would only cost the US $12 billion, a deal.
That, is a good idea. Give Hugo some more time and Venezuelans will go for it as well.
As usual, Capitalism has the best solution for the problem at hand :-)
Great plan, providing of course you can get past the absolutely hysterical, apoplectic cacophony of the worldwide Left as they shreik: “lafroste is buying 12 million slaves! The horror!”
After the Zimbabwean success, we could go one by one (or more) throughout the rest of Africa and fix the whole continent, to the utter dismay of Socialists everywhere :-)
Sorry. The Chinese already got it. And much cheaper than $12 billion. They will restore order AND profitability.
Hooey! Only an armed rebellion would get rid of him.
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