Re: Argentine Armed Forces
Dear forum members I would like to apologize for my fellow countryman. As you could probably tell this person is a perfect example of the blind Peronist follower in Argentina that has sent the country to ruins. First of all I have not insulted you; and furthermore this forum is a place of rational and eloquent discussion, therefore I don not take kindly to being called ignorant to the history of our nation for the last 50-years, or 100-years for that matter.
Let start with fact number one: the military dictatorship. I believe if you (and other forum member) see that in this thread there has never been a hinting of pro-military dictatorship in any of my postings. What the military dictatorship did was reprehensible to the citizens of Argentina and to humanity as a whole and I have never advocated that. Additionally, Germany also had its dark times in the middle of the last century. However, one can be supportive of the current German military and it professionalism without being labeled a Nazi. Is this not true fellow members!
Fact number two: political opinion. The fact is very clear that ever since the end of the military dictatorship there has been a distrust of the military in Argentina (the atrocities that occurred at the Naval Mechanical School are well documented). It is also fact that many members in the current and past administration where affected by the actions of said military government and therefore have resentment towards military as a whole. The military budget (based on GDP in Argentina is one of the lowest in world and the lowest in Latin America) (
) (
). Therefore anyone that is not sitting with blinders on and indulging in political necrophilia realizes that the current administration, and the one under Nestor Kirchner are not supportive of the military and are, in one form or another punishing them for actions taken by past corrupt Generals. Denying the military of its operating budget and funds for equipment maintenance and operation is also criminal to the wellbeing of citizens and the nation’s safety.
Fact number three: Democracy in Argentina. For your information I have voted and was happy to have had Raul Alfonsin as my president. It was a glorious time of renewed hope for Argentina after the dictatorship. I am therefore not resentful that any of my candidates have or have not won. I am critical of the current administration and have every right in a democracy to do so with out being silenced. I respect your right to criticize me and my beliefs; this is what a democracy is! However, dear forum members the reality is that when presented with facts as to the inadequacies of the populist government the left always attacks you by calling names, belittling and minimizing the opposition.
The truth is there for all of the forum members to go and read for themselves; (
) and (
) regarding the corruption in Argentina and the buying votes. Specifically the left and the 110% voter turnout of the trade unions and syndicate (
) . This type of operation would have made the Daily family in Chicago proud. The only thing that can be said is that socialism and crony capitalism is that it is working perfectly well, for this is the only way it can work in an anarchic and chaotic manner, negligent and oblivious to the misery and suffering it creates. If a few get rich while millions lose out big style, then this is Peronism working as it only can work. There is recession followed by boom followed by recession, then socialism and Peronism is working healthily. Per IMF report: “Labor unions, are a major component of the Kirchners’ Peronist Party governing coalition, and enjoy access to an extensive patronage system supported by massive government subsidies.” And this is what I mean by “democratic government”.
In regards to your comment that:
“Surely you call "buying votes" to social assistance, the creation of new schools and hospitals, building infrastructure, repair of all social and economic” You sir are full of lies and propaganda to defend your socialist kind. I am a civil engineer and I can personally tell you from personal experience that you are misinterpreting the truth to the forum readers. There has been little to no improvements in infrastructure in the nation in the last 20-years. There are more and more automobiles on the road and no additional roadways, or railroads for that matter (try riding the Linea San Martin at rush hour or Avenida Nueve de Julio at anytime of the day). The subway system needs to be improved, but is not. The public hospitals are a disgrace and if one can afford it one goes to a private hospital.
How dare lecture me about respect! You insult me without even quoting any facts of your own! I would
NEVER EVER write to anyone on this forum the way that you have written to me.!! Please note that no insulting words where used (other that “it’s a lie” and “socialist kind) to correct this individual.
I wish to apologize for the typical blind following socialist that has ruined a once great nation, This is the idea of charisma and how it relates to the figures of Perón and Evita. Perhaps the major difficulty for most non-Argentines in understanding Peronism is precisely in the preponderance of its charismatic side. Instead of concrete ideas, Perón and Peronism sought and received blind faith in his figure as national leader. Spiritual adhesion and patriotic fervor replaced political and economic programs. Peronism could thus be all things to all people, which is at least in part why Peronism soon evolved into a movement that contained far left, and was in perpetual conflict with the far right for control.
If Argentina can not be an example, then let is be a warning to the rest of the world.
Every thing you said was a lie, and you know it well as an Argentine!
Below is some additional reading for forum members regarding the above subject mater so you can make your own conclusions and post them here. I ask forum member to please correct me if I am incorrect in my assertions or have over stepped my bounds in my response:
Additional reading from the IMF:
Argentina’s Economic Freedom: Corroded by Pervasive Cronyism
A closer look at Argentina’s scores on the 10 indicators in the Index reveals exactly how and why, under the rule of the Kirchners, Argentina has suffered a decline in prosperity and economic freedom.
Business freedom. Argentina’s burdensome regulatory environment is inconsistent and lacks transparency. Recent moves to nationalize unprofitable businesses represented by powerful unions in the Kirchners’ coalition (e.g., Aerolineas Argentinas and Telecom Italia Argentina) have sent strong signals to private-sector companies that their inefficient but unionized competitors will be unfairly (and unwillingly) subsidized by Argentina’s taxpayers.
Trade freedom. Import/export bans, controls and taxes, restrictions on trade in services, higher tariffs, reference pricing, licensing provisions, subsidies, restrictions on ports of entry, domestic preference in government procurement, and issues involving enforcement of intellectual property rights—all for special interests and cronies—have added to the cost of trade.
Fiscal freedom. Argentina has relatively high tax rates, and they will have to go higher unless the wildly irresponsible spending by the Kirchners can be brought under control.
Government spending. The Kirchners’ economic stewardship has been dismal. Although highly indebted and facing declining commodity prices, the Kirchners have imposed unsustainable levels of government spending. To help finance this spending spree, in the fall of 2008 the Kirchner government seized $30 billion in 401(k)-type private pension accounts belonging to individual argentine citizens.
Monetary freedom. Although the Kirchners manipulate official government statistics to hide the true rate, private estimates show inflation in Argentina to be spiraling out of control. In 2010 it soared to more than 20 percent, raising fears of a return to the bad old days of 1980s-style hyper-inflation.In trying to contain the rate of inflation, the Kirchner government has subsidized or price-controlled electricity, water, retail-level gas distribution, urban transport, and local telephone services. It also pressures companies to artificially hold down prices and wages.
Investment freedom. The Kirchners manipulate foreign exchange rates and restrict capital flows to artificially pump up the economy. Corruption, weak institutions, and uncertain creditor, contract, and property rights are also serious deterrents to investment.
Financial freedom. Argentina’s largest bank (Banco de la Nación) is state-owned and is the only financial institution operating in some parts of the country. International banks that have returned since the 2001 default have not recovered their former prominence, and capital controls remain in place. Overall, financial freedom in Argentina remains constrained by government influence, political interference with an inefficient judiciary that hinders foreign investment, and other official and informal obstructions to due process.
Property rights. The executive branch influences Argentina’s judiciary; the courts are notoriously slow, inefficient, secretive, and corrupt. Many foreign investors must resort to international arbitration. Government manipulation of inflation statistics has caused foreign and domestic bondholders to lose billions in interest payments on their rightful property.
Freedom from corruption. The entire political economy of Argentina is blighted by the Kirchners’ brand of “crony capitalism”—one of the most corrosive and hardest-to-eradicate forms of corruption. Foreign investors complain about widespread government and private-sector corruption as well as pervasive demands by government officials for bribes. Money laundering, trafficking in narcotics and contraband, and tax evasion plague the financial system. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department’s 2009 Investment Climate Statement for Argentina notes that the corruption is so endemic and deep-rooted that U.S. businesses (which are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) frequently complain that “their adherence to the letter of the tax and regulatory codes at times places them at a competitive disadvantage.”
Labor freedom. Inflexible labor regulations hinder job creation and productivity growth. According to the World Bank’s 2010 “Doing Business” survey, terminating an employee in Argentina costs, on average, 95 weeks of wages, a rate significantly above the Latin American average of 54 weeks and more than three times the OECD average of 26 weeks. Additionally, labor unions, a major component of the Kirchners’ Peronist Party governing coalition, enjoy access to an extensive patronage system supported by massive government subsidies.
