In Venezuela, Land 'Rescue' Hopes Unmet Farmers Struggle on Expropriated Plots (Chavez fails!)

Houston Chronicle & Washington Post ^ | 06/21/2009 | Juan Forero

[cbkaty]

Chávez's so-called back-to-the-land movement calls for the redistribution of land -- increasingly properties that the state has taken over in what officials term a "rescue" or "recuperation." The objective is to ensure "food sovereignty," thereby reducing dependence on imports.

But nearly five years after the measures were implemented nationwide, farmers and agriculture experts say, Venezuela is not only far from self-sufficient in food, but also more dependent than ever on foreign countries. Food imports rose to $7.5 billion last year, a sixfold increase since Chávez took power a decade ago.

[cbkaty]

Redistribution of land.....will this become Obama's next step?

[hoosier hick]

I guess that would be “Zimbabwe, phase 2.” Once the currency is destroyed, and city folk can’t buy food, they will be given land to grow their own. I seem to remember that Rhodesia was the largest food-exporter in Africa before “land reform” took the productive land from white landowners to give it to people who had no clue how to raise anything. Now they can’t even feed themselves....

hh

[RU88]

40 acres and a mule.

[cbkaty]

I seem to remember that Rhodesia was the largest food-exporter in Africa before “land reform”

Absolutely....I have friends that fled Zimbabwe with nothing...they had owned one of the most successful computer companies in the country....lost it all.

I carry a 10,000,000,000,000 dollar Zimbabwe note in my wallet to remind me of the power of the gubmint printing press.....

[rellimpank]

-—he may try confiscating it, but he’ll sure have no luck transplanting the welfare class onto a few acres to try and survive as subsistence farmers as Chavez has—

[cbkaty]

"That is socialism," she said. "It did not work before, and it does not work now."

---Felicia Escobar, Lawyer and consultant that used to work for the Agriculture Ministry

[raybbr]

I guess that would be “Zimbabwe, phase 2.” Once the currency is destroyed, and city folk can’t buy food, they will be given land to grow their own. I seem to remember that Rhodesia was the largest food-exporter in Africa before “land reform” took the productive land from white landowners to give it to people who had no clue how to raise anything. Now they can’t even feed themselves....

I guess all news stories from Africa are banned in Ven. They didn't learn anything from that return to tribal farming.

[hoosier hick]

That’s a lot more work than having your local community organizer sign you up for government benefits...

hh

[cbkaty]

I guess all news stories from Africa are banned in Ven.

We get them here, yet our leaders still run towards socialism....like flies to a bug-zapper....

[raybbr]

You’re in Venezuela?

[rellimpank]

—at least, however, life as subsistence farmers would cure the number one health problem of the “poor” in the US—it would wipe out obesity—

[cbkaty]

You’re in Venezuela?

No, sorry did not make that clear,...Texas..... I have friends in Venezuela.

Still my point is we get this info on the failure of socialism...but continue to move toward the grand failure.

[dangus]

Eminent Domain.

[Roccus]

-—he may try confiscating it, but he’ll sure have no luck transplanting the welfare class onto a few acres to try and survive as subsistence farmers as Chavez has—

No matter how hard ya try, ya can't get crops by planting food stamps.

[cbkaty]

No matter how hard ya try, ya can't get crops by planting food stamps.

Now that's good...you made my morning...have a cup on me!

[norwaypinesavage]

"land is not yours. The land is not private. It is the property of the state," Chávez said"

Herein lies the Achilles heel of Socialism. People don't work for long to improve something owned by someone else.

[cbkaty]

"land is not yours. The land is not private. It is the property of the state," Chávez said"

"GM investment bonds are not yours. The bonds are not private. It is the property of the state or the union," The Obama administration said"

--------NOT AN ACTUAL QUOTE...but close!

[Need4Truth]

Redistribution of land or redistribution of wealth, same result.

[nathanbedford]

It is either a question of them not learning from the evidence before their eyes or being willfully indifferent to the consequences of their ideology. Just a few days ago Chavez exhorted Obama to take America into socialism. Such advice coming from someone leading his own country into penury to a leader of the richest country on earth, is a presumption which can only come out of ideology.

There can be no doubt that Obama knows that these confiscations do not work yet he has committed the same sins here himself and now, by nationalizing healthcare, he is reaching out to control every seventh dollar spent in the American economy . The rest he will control through cap and trade if he can.

I cannot but believe that the human consequences of these actions are a matter of indifference to both men.

[ridesthemiles]

40 acres and a mule.”

You will be punishing the mule.

Not one person in 800 in America knows how to take care of a mule.