The US is swiftly catching up to Venezuela when it comes to politics and economics. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our neighbors to the south. Things aren’t looking good.
Venezuela’s public finances are unravelling, with oil prices at $40 a barrel, while the national budget is calculated at $60 a barrel. Inflation is running at over 30 per cent, yet with the new measures Mr Chavez is seeking to ensure that his core support, the poor, can still fill their shopping baskets with food.
“If any industry wants to ride roughshod over the consumers, with a view to getting better dividends, we are going to act,” said Carlos Osorio, the national superintendent of silos and storage. “For the government, access to food is a matter of national security.”
Production quotas and prices have now been set for cooking oil, white rice, sugar, coffee, flour, margarine, pasta, cheeses and tomato sauce.
White rice, the staple for many Venezuelans, can now only be sold at a price of 2.15 bolivares (71p) per kilo. Private companies insist that production of that kilo costs 4.41 bolivares (£1.46) and that government regulations are impossible to fulfil and companies will quickly go broke. Companies that are dedicated to rice production must ensure that 80 per cent of their efforts are dedicated to white rice. The new regulations set production percentages, as companies were rebranding their products to avoid the government controls, like flavouring the rice, as the price restrictions apply only to white rice.
Now that term limits are removed Chavez has declared a war on the media, thereby ensuring his continued electoral success. His policies have wreaked havoc on the nation’s economy, to the point where he’s forcing producers to operate at a loss. This is what socialism looks like.
My only question is, how long will it be before we’re in the same boat?
And people wonder why I’m a fan of food security. Victory Gardens, Take Two!
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I’m with you Hannah. We’re aleady planning our veggie garden that we’ll plant in the spring!
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Self reliance is the key. Although very few are totally self reliant, it behooves us to be as much so as we possibly can. Stock up, and rotate your stocks. Keep some water purification tablets on hand and if you’re taking prescription drugs, get one prescription ahead, two if you can.
I’m no expert, but good common sense and awareness of your needs for an extended period without power and water are essential. How extended a period is anyone’s guess but a three week supply would seem minimal. Don’t be scared, be prepared.
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Bottled water; by the GALLON, not the pint. Just buy distilled, it’s cheaper and serves the same purpose. It you can get a 50 gal drum that is able to be sterilized and sealed, so much the better. Flour. As many pkgs as you have room to store cold. It will freeze (ziplocked). Yeast. Lard or cooking oil. Doesn’t matter which at this point: cholesteral is no longer the problem. Also…lard is good as a skin softener. Chicken and Beef boullion cubes (several jars of each). Salt, salt and more salt. Then, get some SALT. Dried beans, lentils, or better yet just buy a food dehydrater. Great for meat. Zip-Lock baggies. The largest you can get. Tin foil. SEEDS: All the veggies you can find, even if they don’t grow in your area; they’ll be easy to trade. The expiration dates are not accurate. I have grown plants from seed packets that were 2 years beyond the pkg date. Don’t forget the coffee and sugar. They will be VERY valuable! Miracle Grow-Liquid or powder. Powder clumps in humidity, but liquid spills. Garden tools. Lots of twine, cloth for shade, and plastic tubs for storage w/lids. Bar soap (Irish Spring), Rubbing Alcohol, Hydrogen Peroxide, NEOSPORIN. Cotton Balls (or better yet, buy 6 yds of cotton weave and cut your own wadding) Bleach. Lot’s of it, while it’s still cheap. Good for purifying a lot of things, including water. Lighter fluid. Lamp oil, and oil lamps. Extra wicking. Matches, matches and then some lighters, but matches are better. If you can keep them dry.
Lastly…don’t forget a SHOVEL. You’ll need to dig down deep and keep all these things cool and dry. Wooden crates are great, but heavy. Lawn and leaf bags will also serve the purpose, but not for long.
Nuff’ said. Now I’ll go cozy up in my warm bed and await the moment when I’m told that a can of soup is going to cost me $3.00….. that will be my signal.
Did you know that rose petals are edible?
Sleep tight.
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…”Lastly…don’t forget a SHOVEL.”… Heh Heh Heh
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…”In the ancient world, of course, authority over the most important economic commodity, foodstuffs, was power indeed. “The man, or class of men, who controls the supply of essential foods is in possession of the supreme power.”…
In the not so ancient world too.
http://www.mises.org/story/3346
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Maybe THE ONE will change his middle name to Hugo. He doesn’t seem to like Hussein that well.
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Mary-Thanks for the list. I printed it out:-)
Hugo is his hero. We can change the name of the admin to ‘Hugo’s Heroes’. Has a nice, commy ring to it.
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[...] charitable giving and taxes and I see the issue of food security in yet another light. Especially when you take a peek at what’s happening to Venezuela’s food system. Obama and his cronies are looking for government dependence on your part. Forget the charities – [...]
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“Hugo’s Heroes”. Oh, I like it.
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