CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — President Hugo Chavez is on a moral crusade in Venezuela, preaching against vices from alcohol to cholesterol, vowing to curb whisky imports and ordering beer trucks off the street.
His government announced increased taxes on alcohol and tobacco on Monday, and Chavez also plans steep new taxes on luxury items such as fancy cars and artwork.
It's all part of Chavez's efforts to encourage Venezuelans to adopt the psyche of the "New Man," a socialist revolutionary with a monk-like purity of purpose...
...Chavez is also concerned that too many Venezuelans swill beer on street corners. Irked by unregulated beer sales in the slums, he has warned that beer trucks selling alcohol directly on the streets would be seized.
Anyone wanting to booze up can do so in the privacy of their own homes, he said.
"I've told the National Guard to stop and seize any truck going around selling beer in the street as if it were ice cream," he said. "This cannot be permitted."...
Wonder what he'd do to pot growers, this hero of the Shellenberger crowd.
Although I do "try" to avoid the political in my little corner of the blog world,(there are Much more literate voices out there, including yourself), Hugo has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteHis surname, "Chavez Frias", can be loosely translated to "Chavo Frio", which means Cold Guy.
I think the world will be a better place when he just assumes Room Temperature.
Just another despot ti' he threatens the Beer supply. heh
Wollf
You go after the beer and you're toast. :)
ReplyDelete"...Chavez is also concerned that too many Venezuelans swill beer on street corners. Irked by unregulated beer sales in the slums, he has warned that beer trucks selling alcohol directly on the streets would be seized."
ReplyDeleteWhat's different here?Crap,I never knew I could pull my car into old town and sell beers to anyone walking by legally.
Not that I agree with his decision,but it's interesting that one would view this very recent development as a fallback for Venezuela society,when laws like this have permeated in this country for many years now.
They say he is going after the junk food and fancy cars, too, Mark. He's already shut down TV stations. How much longer do you think he is going to allow the bloggers to have a voice? Right now they are the main ones getting the word out of the country, trying to tell you something.
ReplyDeleteEverything you like to say Bush is, this guy really is.
Gosh, Miss Rose.
ReplyDeleteAlbeit far from my sense of brotherly love and all......
I think that reading exactly one comment has made me think that I do not care for Marcus Esquan....
Whatsoever.
He does not suit me at all.
Wollf
Ahh, there is hope for Marcus!
ReplyDeleteYou are the first one to GET his name, though!
No Rose there is no hope for Marcus! He is just a dumbass trying to sound like he .. coulda been a contender !
ReplyDelete