Let's Have Fun! Let's Not Learn From The Soviets!

The Soviet economy, such as it ever was, resides now in the dustbin of history, sharing space with Hitler's dream of an Aryan world and Napoleon's plan for the defeat of Russia.

But someone forgot to drive the ash stake through its heart. The Soviet economic system lives on, thanks to "I go crazy, Hugo crazy" Chavez in his Socialist playground of Venezuela. (In the photo, Chavez is shown holding the food his Socialist reforms are bringing to his people.) From BBC:

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has threatened to nationalise stores that sell meat above a government-set price.

The government says supermarkets have been artificially boosting prices of basic foods by manipulating stockpiles. But critics blame regular food shortages on prices imposed four years ago, forcing shops to sell at a loss.

Many privately-owned supermarkets have suspended sales of beef, milk and sugar after one chain was temporarily closed for pricing meat above allowed levels.

The government has already seized goods that it says are being hoarded to drive up prices.

Since the early 1900s, the world has basically had two economic models: Free market and communist/socialist. Measured by prosperity, freedom, satisfaction of the people, or any other measure than "wealth of the tyrant," the free market capitalist societies won. Yet Chavez and the leaders of a handful of other nations continue to force failed socialism on their people.

And when their "reforms" fail, instead of blaming socialism, they blame corruption by the businesses they are brutalizing. Lenin would be proud. Stalin would beam.