Empty store shelves in Venezuela. The reality of the socialist dream. History tells us over and over again that government-imposed price controls lead to scarcity every time.

On Sunday, Venezuelans went to the polls and repudiated the socialist government led by Hugo Chavez’ successor, Nicolas Maduro. The BBC and Wall Street Journal are reporting that the opposition has won 99 seats in the National Assembly, the Socialists have won 46 seats and the votes for the remaining 22 seats are still being tallied.

Venezuelans, who are suffering enormously from the policies and corruption of Nicolas Maduro’s government have finally come to their senses and now reject the failed socialist revolution. If Venezuela is to be fixed, it will probably take decades to rebuild what was once the wealthiest nation in Latin America.

Maduro’s term as President is not over until 2019. It will be interesting to see if he can last that long. My guess is he will not.

Socialist gathering in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009. Left to right: Barack Obama, Nicolas Maduro, Hugo Chavez.

Thanks to the Socialistas in Venezuela, free speech often lands you in jail, inflation is approaching 100% per year, stores shelves are bare, basic services and the healthcare are in shambles, essential medicines are nearly unobtainable, food is in short supply, etc. Viva la Revolution!

The lesson for The United States: Socialism is a disaster. Do not elect Hillary or Bernie or any other national Democrat, unless of course you think socialism is working in Venezuela and should be repeated here.

One of the objectives of the socialist revolution as stated on President Maduro’s website is to:

“Continue building (Bolivarian) socialism of the 21st century in Venezuela, as an alternative to wild capitalism model and thereby ensure the ‘greatest amount of social security, the greatest amount of political stability and the greatest happiness for our people.”

While private property, and economic and political freedom – capitalism will never lead to a perfect society, I’ll take those things over socialism and the inevitable social instability it causes any day.

Sarcastic condolences to American Chavezistas Sean Penn, Michael Moore and Oliver Stone. I hope the new National Assembly  bans them from Venezuelan soil for life.

Junius Lucius

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other peoples’ money.” – Margaret Thatcher

“Socialism is a wonderful idea. It is only as a reality that it has been disastrous. Among people of every race, color, and creed, all around the world, socialism has led to hunger in countries that used to have surplus food to export…. Nevertheless, for many of those who deal primarily in ideas, socialism remains an attractive idea — in fact, seductive. Its every failure is explained away as due to the inadequacies of particular leaders. ” ― Thomas Sowell