Posted on 05/06/2018 11:11:31 AM PDT by blam
For Venezuela's economy, the ascent into socialist paradise did not turn out quite as planned: in fact, under the Maduro regime, the country with the world's biggest petroleum reserves somehow reversed course, and crashed through every single circle of economic hell, and now that its hyperinflation has hit levels that would make even Mugabe and Rudy von Havenstein blush, all that's left is barter.
And, as Fabiola Zerpa explains as part of Bloomberg's fascinating "Life in Caracas" series, i.e., watching economic and social collapse in real-time, in Venezuela, a haircut now costs 5 bananas and 2 eggs.
The other day, I made a baguette-for-parking swap. It worked out brilliantly
I had time but, as usual, no bolivars. The attendant at the cash-only lot had some bills but no chance to leave his post during the fleeting moments the bakery nearby put his favorite bread on sale. The deal: He let me leave my car, and I came back with an extra loaf, acquired with my debit card. He reimbursed megiving me a bonus of spare change for my pocket.
Thats how we make do in our collapsing economy. If somebody has lots of one thing and too little of another, an arrangement can be made. Ive exchanged corn meal for rice with friends from high school, eggs for cooking oil with my sister-in-law. Street vendors barter, too, taking, say, a kilo of sugar as payment for one of flour. There are Facebook pages and chat-room groups devoted to the swap-ability of everything from toothpaste to baby formula.
A barber in the countryside cuts hair for yuccas, bananas or eggs. Moto-taxi drivers will get you where you need to go for carton of cigarettes. The owners of one of my favorite Mexican restaurants offer a plate
(snip)
(Excerpt) Read more at goldismoney2.com ...
ask “Stormy”
Today’s young people in this country can hardly wait for Bernie or Kamala or someone to establish socialism in the post-Trump revolutionary era.
Now you know why I want anti-Trumpers to cool it. The only alternative to socialist tyranny is Trump-—not “someone.” That’s it.
Venezuela’s socialist paradise - one more ‘tribute’ to Marx... a man who brought hell to earth...
I guess they do like those bananas...
Those were seized some time ago.
“Money debases all the gods of mankind and changes them into commodities. It is the essence of mans existence. This essence dominates him and he worships it’’.- Karl Marx. Well Karl old boy, the Venezuelans got the memo and it ain’t a working out.
You’re welcome.
I find certain popular songs have multiple meanings if they are done well.
Meanings that the Songwriter may not have intended but with a sense and ear for sarcasm they can explain their condition more objectively.
I’m continuously surprised that there are so few people that actually listen to the words. Actually listen and understand what they mean or can mean.
Now my spare change has as much meaning as a carnival trinket. Popular music is dead.
LBJ set into motion everything that has destroyed our country. He obliterated the fabric of our nation with a destructive social agenda, and an unpopular inflation fueling war. He turned middle class neighborhoods into ghettos. He destroyed the peace between the races, and turned Americans into enemies of each other. I spit on his grave.
BERNIE!! BERNIE!! BERNIE!!
People will find new things to trade in order to get by. Like, other people if it comes to it.
$21!
Where do you live?
Bookmark
Why I’m just shocked socialism didn’t work out this time.....after all those successful examples of it in other countries.
all debt personal and sovereign is erased
Chatsworth, CA
Isla Margarita is where the foreign tourists go to stay.
These guys are the pimps.
Fiat currency was an astonishing revolution in finance.
Marco Polo described fiat currency used in China when he was there.
It was kinda, sorta, tied to goods and services. The Chinese government paid for everything in paper money. I believe all items officially imported were paid for in paper money.
https://fee.org/articles/marco-polo-on-money/
Venezuela: Make Barter Great Again!
Ya know...when you’re starving to death and your Homeland is in chaos due to Full Frontal Communism, I’m PRETTY sure a HAIRCUT is VERY low on your, ‘Things To Do’ list! ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.