Socialism is a curse that should be wished only on a hated enemy. Any society that adopts it will inevitably become sick and weak.
Just 4 decades ago, Venezuela was one of the wealthiest economies in the world. It was 12 times wealthier than China, and by some measures was the 4th richest country on earth. Its people enjoyed the longest life expectancy in South America.
Then the people voted for more government, and trusted government to control and distribute all goods and services in the economy.
Today, life in Venezuela is a daily struggle for survival on the streets, while a wealthy elite controls all resources.
Children work as prostitutes while babies die of hunger and malnutrition. The environment is increasingly devastated and deforested.
As reported by The New York Times, things have gotten so bad there that food transports cannot move without a military escort.
What’s worse, the country’s most vulnerable citizens — it’s children — are starving to death at a much higher rate than the adult population, which is also high:
With delivery trucks under constant attack, the nation’s food is now transported under armed guard. Soldiers stand watch over bakeries. The police fire rubber bullets at desperate mobs storming grocery stores, pharmacies and butcher shops. A 4-year-old girl was shot to death as street gangs fought over food.
