Making economic and social policy is, in my humble opinion, quite possibly the most important thing a government does. Our leaders are elected to make and enforce POLICY, and the ones that deal with money, opportunity, and society are pretty central. Capitalism is the best generator of wealth, yes, but does little or nothing to distribute it fairly. That's where leadership comes in. And no, by fairly I don't mean that everyone should get an equal share... but children shouldn't be abandoned, and the elderly shouldn't be forgotten, and people without homes, food, medical care, education... should not be left to suffer. That's just what I think. We're humans. Come on people. We need each other. I'm not talking utopia or communism. I'm talking about remembering who we are. So I like this article. The specifics can be debated, sure, but why is it big news when a country cares for its people? If you want an even more fascinating article, read about how Morales feels like a prisoner of neo-liberal laws and red-tape.
Bolivia unveils anti-poverty plan
By Daniel Schweimler
BBC South America correspondent
The government of Bolivia has announced a radical plan to reduce poverty and create employment in the poorest country in South America. Almost $7bn (£3.8bn) will be invested in ambitious public works programmes.
The economic plan announced by Planning and Development Minister Carlos Villegas aims to create 100,000 jobs a year for the next five years.
It is the latest measure in a series implemented by President Evo Morales since taking office in January.
The people of South America, and especially Bolivia, have often heard their leaders promise to reduce poverty and create jobs.
But President Morales appears to mean it and many Bolivians believe what he says.
The money will come from the recently nationalised gas industry, supplemented by international lending and foreign investment.
The plan, presented in the presidential palace in La Paz, also aims to deliver more basic public services such as school meals and better access to clean water.
Speedy changes
Since he came to office, Evo Morales, a former cocoa leaf grower, has launched a number of ambitious projects to reduce poverty and close the gap between rich and poor in Bolivia.
He cut wages in the public sector, including his own, and sent troops in to take control of oil and gas installations after he nationalised the industries. He has forged links with Venezuela and Cuba and worries Washington.
Few in Bolivia deny that the country needs radical changes.
The speed with which President Morales has moved to implement those changes has delighted his supporters, but left wealthy Bolivians and foreign investors nervous and uncertain how they should react.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/5090850.stm
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2 comments:
I disagree with your statement that capitalism generates the most wealth. Wealth is merely and idea, it is not something that can be generated. What capitalism does do quite effeciently is allocate what natural resources we have and distributes them in such a way to consolidate power.
What does actually exist are natural resources. And these things cannot be expanded upon. We can certainly use them more effeciently, and invest in resources that are somewhat renewable. But, the fact is there is only so much land, and so many mineral resources, so much [as you know] fresh water. Give me an economic system that does seek to assign ownership and property rights to the very things that are needed by everyone to live.
Capitalism is not that system.
Micah, if we were content to exist with just natural resources (land, food, water, even oil? maybe, whatever you're thinking of)... if we were content with just that, and could somehow stop using money, and go back to bartering... then OK I'm with ya.
But if you want technology like ipods, or more importantly the cure for AIDS (your personal favorite) or cancer, or cardiac care equipment or the ability to save an unborn child through cutting-edge equipment and surgery, or if you want an international transportation system such as United Airlines, if you want the internet, if you want to read my blog (admit it you do)...
then i have no idea how all of us exchanging plots of land and freshly grown carrots is gonna help.
my point is that if you want to exist in this world in the 21st century, with all the comforts and luxuries you know and love, then we've outgrown the system you dream of. going back requires total isolationism.
let me know your thoughts.
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