Say It Isn't So... A Hardsell for a Cowboy

Published on November 3, 2005 By enigmagnetic In Current Events

Hello fellow bloggers. I think I should begin this post by pronouncing my stance on economic policy. I once heard that socialist economic ideals look pretty on paper but ugly in real life. While I have to say that I feel socialism would work in a perfect ideal world, sadly, that is not reality. Today we have classes, and social stratification that is based on ethnicity, race and financial status. There are those that work and those that own in largely most of the planet. I steal Karl Marx titles when I say that the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat still exist. Having said all this, my actual belief is that capitalism has to be the prevailing economic standard for all nations in our present day. Not only does it promote commerce, entrepreneurship, ownership, fiscal responsibility but most importantly (imho) it inspires innovation. Inventions such as the automobile rose out of not only a need to make life simpler, but on the ability to cash in on said need. I think that capitalism must exist until its need subsides, and I also think it will not be the standard far into the future.

Before I digress any further I'd like to start traveling down the path of my actual point. First, I'd like to say that I am from a Latin American country which is near third world status. Of Course I have lived in the U.S. for 90% of my life I still pay attention to the issues ravaging Latin American countries in this age. Consequently with my ideals and attention I came across an article about the 34 nation America's Summit being held in Mar Del Plata, Argentina. President Bush will be speaking at the summit this weekend. While the usual, large amount of protesters will also be attending, a more important matter has me concerned. One of the biggest topics that will be covered will be the free trade issue in Latin America which is why I began this post the way I did. Most of the demonstrators that will gather this weekend are opposed to the Free Trade Area of the America's proposed by the U.S. citing it is imperialistic American Ideals that help poverty. We all agree that no one directly wants to promote poverty, but American economic policies are being demonized and turned against at an alarming rate. This is evident with Hugo Chavez recent rise to power. A close confidant of Fidel Castro he will be one of the key supporters of socialist ideals in the Latin American region. Chavez has stated of the summit, "I'm sure it will be a historic event because it's the final burial of the FTAA,". Many people in the region feel that the free trade agreement in South America would lead to U.S. companies taking advantage of the poverty level workers in the region.

I believe that free trade can be the answer for the poverty in Latin American countries if taken seriously and responsibly. The U.S. should be leading by example in this aspect. It is imperative that we start winning over Latin American countries to follow the U.S. economic policy. What concerns me the most is that we are sending George W. Bush. A self-proclaimed "war president", there are many protestors that disagree with him solely on the Iraq issue. Is this the Best that we can do to pitch our economic policies in a region that is desperately seeking solutions to the rising poverty? I recall a press conference where Bush was asked about sovereignty where he could not answer because he did not know what sovereignty was (God Help Us). Bush is "challenged" when it comes to completing a speech, let alone winning over a skeptical region on economic policy. While I really am pulling for the paper cowboy solely on the fact that the poverty levels are increasing and people are being exploited, isn't there someone else we can send? Ideally I would prefer Bill Clinton where to attend, because lets face it the man is a charmer and he is already respected much more than Bush in the region. Send even Alan Greenspan, a man who could explain the economic policy in this country in depth. Better yet just send the most beautiful woman in the U.S. Angelina Jolie, to make the speech. I guarantee it would be more effective. Link

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