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What does Javier Milei’s win in Argentina mean to America? - He becomes the first libertarian president in the world
The Spectator ^ | 20 Nov, 2023 | Juan P. Villasmil

Posted on 11/20/2023 6:43:03 AM PST by MtnClimber

Javier Milei, a messy-haired bombastic libertarian economist, won Argentina’s presidential elections against socialist minister of economics Sergio Massa this Sunday. With the backdrop of inflation that the International Monetary Fund projects will trail only that of Zimbabwe and Venezuela by the end of the year, Milei triumphed with over 55 percent of votes in the runoff with more than 94 percent of votes counted, according to data from the country’s National Electoral Chamber.

In a brief speech before the results were announced, Massa, who came first in the October 22 election that led to the run-off, said, “Milei is the president elected for the next four years,” adding that he had called Milei to personally congratulate him on his victory.

Milei ran on an anti-establishment platform that had the entirety of US media drawing comparisons between him and Donald Trump. In some ways, the comparisons made sense: Milei packed stadiums, slammed the mainstream media and made the occasional crude yet hilarious joke. And like Trump, he also earned himself some big enemies, including Pope Francis, who he labeled a “filthy leftist” and “the representative of the Devil on Earth.” Even more like Trump, he found himself a loyal following enamored in great part by his larger-than-life personality.

And as in America in 2016, unexpectedly for most, it took one unconventional man to supplant the conventional right. Back in August, Milei shocked the nation by getting 30 percent of the vote in the presidential primary, leaving behind both Massa and center-right Patricia Bullrich — the candidate originally backed by former president Mauricio Macri.

But unlike Trump, Milei’s so-called “far-right populism” is not what many Americans have in mind. While Milei did sit down with Tucker Carlson for an interview and welcomed the comparisons to Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Trump, his philosophy is distinctly libertarian. He has called for an Ayn Rand-styled “Atlas rebellion” and literally destroyed a central bank piñata on national TV....


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: albertofernandez; argentina; javiermilei; sergiomassa
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To: grumpa

There’s a “live and let live” attitude towards gays in libertarianism.

There is NO support for subsidies, affirmative action, or other pro-gun government coercion.


61 posted on 11/20/2023 11:55:06 AM PST by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: z3n

Libertareans are, for the most part, not patriots. Patriotism is wrongly perceived as so much useless jingoism to them. I said most, not all. The Amish are a prime example.


62 posted on 11/20/2023 11:58:07 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
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To: ansel12

There are many flavors of (small l) libertarian. The Libertarian Party is another story.


63 posted on 11/20/2023 12:00:25 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (Either you will rule. Or you will be ruled. There is no other choice.)
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To: Red Badger

Perhaps but Chile is not Argentina.


64 posted on 11/20/2023 12:00:41 PM PST by liberalh8ter ( Ephesians 6:10 - 18)
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To: liberalh8ter

True, but is next door...................😎


65 posted on 11/20/2023 12:01:29 PM PST by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: SauronOfMordor

They have a party, other than that they are just guys making it up as they go, wasting time talking about their personal wishes and fantasies.


66 posted on 11/20/2023 12:15:00 PM PST by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: SauronOfMordor

That’s his sister. He’s not married. He’s dating an actress, but that’s not her.


67 posted on 11/20/2023 12:16:27 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
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To: SauronOfMordor

Sister


68 posted on 11/20/2023 12:24:04 PM PST by Chickensoup (Genocide is here. Leftist extremists are spearheading the Genocide against conservatives. )
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To: ansel12; marktwain

Do you know what the Mises Caucus is?

Are you aware that they are the largest caucus in the Libertarian Party?

Are you aware that they took over all of the leadership positions in the LP?

Are you possibly operating under old information? Like thinking Republicans are for amnesty because the Bushes, McCains and Romneys are?

I don’t think you know what you are talking about and doubling down makes you sound stupid to people who do.


69 posted on 11/20/2023 12:31:59 PM PST by nitzy (I wonder if the telescreens in 1984 were first called "free Obamascreens")
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To: nitzy

I’ve never been a Republican and the libertarian party platform hasn’t changed.


70 posted on 11/20/2023 12:36:36 PM PST by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: ansel12

I never heard of Milei until he won this election. When I hear the word “libertarian” (small-l), I think of Rand Paul and Ron Paul. I agree with small-l-libertarians on fiscal policy and the proper role of government. However, over the past 15 years or so, the capital-L’s took their party in a different direction.

Milei sounds more like a capital-L. According to Wikipedia, he’s made some interesting comments about “free love” and his participation in “threesomes.” I wouldn’t want someone like him for president. If he’d run for office here, he wouldn’t have gotten my vote, but it will be interesting to see where his small-l fiscal policies take Argentina.


71 posted on 11/20/2023 12:38:42 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
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To: z3n

Oops, I spoke too soon. He might not be a right-leaning libertarian, if his comments about “free love” are any indication.


72 posted on 11/20/2023 12:42:04 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
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Comment #73 Removed by Moderator

To: Tired of Taxes
However, over the past 15 years or so, the capital-L’s took their party in a different direction.

You will be happy to learn that a group called the "Mises Caucus" has taken over the Libertarian Party. Since last year they have taken all of the leadership positions and are very right-leaning. They identify as followers of the Ron Paul revolution.

CATO, Reason and the old guard Libertarians are referred to as "beltway Libertarians" by the people who are now running the LP.

74 posted on 11/20/2023 1:12:26 PM PST by nitzy (I wonder if the telescreens in 1984 were first called "free Obamascreens")
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To: nitzy
Nice to hear. I hope they make it stick.
75 posted on 11/20/2023 2:19:59 PM PST by marktwain
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To: marktwain

They have to change the platform before they have anything to make stick.


76 posted on 11/20/2023 3:15:31 PM PST by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: nitzy

Thanks for the info. I’ll check further into it.


77 posted on 11/20/2023 4:08:36 PM PST by Tired of Taxes
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To: MtnClimber

Next up Canada. Go Poilievre!


78 posted on 11/20/2023 4:09:00 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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