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Posted: 3/10/2010 6:14:44 PM EDT
Found this posted up on a webpage.  I liked it and thought sharing it with ARFCOM would be good.

Don't Cry for Me Argentina America
This is a history lesson.   It happened in Argentina, it could happen in the U.S.

In the early 20th century, Argentina was one of the richest countries in the world.  While Great Britain’s maritime power and its far-flung empire had propelled it to a dominant position among the world’s industrialized nations, only the United States challenged Argentina for the position of the world’s second-most powerful economy.


Like the United States, Argentina was blessed with abundant agriculture, vast swaths of rich farmland laced with navigable rivers, and an accessible port system.  Its level of industrialization was higher than many European countries; railroads, automobiles, and telephones were commonplace.


In 1916, Argentina elected a new president.  Hipólito Irigoyen had formed a party called The Radicals under the banner of “fundamental change” with an appeal to the middle class.


Among Irigoyen’s changes: mandatory pension insurance, mandatory health insurance, and support for low-income housing construction to stimulate the economy.  Put simply, the state assumed economic control of a vast swath of the country’s operations and began assessing new payroll taxes to fund its efforts.


With an increasing flow of funds into these entitlement programs, the government’s payouts soon became overly generous.  Before long its outlays surpassed the value of the taxpayers’ contributions.  Put simply, it quickly became under-funded, much like the United States’ Social Security and Medicare programs.


The death knell for the Argentine economy, however, came with the election of Juan Perón.  Perón had a fascist and corporatist upbringing; he and his charismatic wife, Eva, aimed their populist rhetoric at the nation’s rich.


This targeted group “swiftly expanded to cover most of the propertied middle classes, who became an enemy to be defeated and humiliated.”


Under Perón, the size of government bureaucracies exploded through massive programs of social spending and by encouraging the growth of labor unions.


High taxes and economic mismanagement took their inevitable toll even after Perón had been driven from office.  However, his populist rhetoric and “contempt for economic realities” lived on.  Argentina’s federal government continued to spend far beyond its means.


Hyperinflation exploded in 1989, the final stage of a process characterized by “industrial protectionism, redistribution of income based on increased wages, and growing state intervention in the economy…”


The Argentinian government’s practice of printing money to pay off its public debts had crushed the economy.  Inflation hit 3000%, reminiscent of the Weimar Republic.  Food riots were rampant; stores were looted; the country descended into chaos.


By 1994, Argentina’s public pensions — the equivalent of Social Security — had imploded.  The payroll tax had increased from 5% to 26%, but it was not enough.  In addition, Argentina had implemented a value-added tax (VAT), new income taxes, a personal tax on wealth, and additional revenues based upon the sale of public enterprises.  These crushed the private sector, further damaging the economy.


A government-controlled “privatization” effort to rescue seniors’ pensions was attempted.  However, by 2001, those funds had also been raided by the government, the monies replaced by Argentina’s defaulted government bonds.


By 2002, “…government fiscal irresponsibility… induced a national economic crisis as severe as America’s Great Depression.”


In 1902, Argentina was one of the world’s richest countries.  Little more than a hundred years later, it is poverty-stricken, struggling to meet its debt obligations amidst a drought.


The Democrat Party’s populist plans for the U.S. cannot possibly work, because government bankrupts everything it touches.  History teaches us that ObamaCare and unfunded entitlement programs will be utter, complete disasters.


The Democrat Party leaders of today are guilty of more than stupidity; they are enslaving future generations to poverty and misery.  And they will be long gone when it all implodes.  They will be as cold and dead as Juan Perón when the piper must ultimately be paid.




DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA
Sung by Madonna
It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all I have done
You won't believe me
All you will see is a girl you once knew
Although she's dressed up to the nines
At sixes and sevens with you
I had to let it happen, I had to change
Couldn’t stay all my life down at heel
Looking out of the window,
staying out of the sun
So I chose freedom
Running around trying everything new
But nothing impressed me at all
I never expected it to

{Refrain:}
Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

And as for fortune, and as for fame
I never invited them in
Though it seemed to the world
They were all I desired
They are illusions
They're not the solutions they promised to be,
The answer was here all the time
I love you and hope you love me
{au Refrain}

Don't cry for me Argentina
The truth is I never left you
All through my wild days my mad existence
I kept my promise
Don't keep your distance

Have I said too much?
There's nothing more
I can think of to say to you
But all you have to do is look at me
To know that every word is true
{au Refrain}



There's some pictures that came with this.  I'll post them up later tonight.  

The original I have is a Power Point presentation and contains an audio file.  If there is a way to embed PPT files and someone knows how to do it, IM me and I'll send it to you.
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 6:40:49 PM EDT
[#1]
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:30:03 PM EDT
[#2]
OK, pics are up.  Hope everyone enjoys...
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:34:32 PM EDT
[#3]
Interesting post, thanks.
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:35:48 PM EDT
[#4]
yep
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:35:49 PM EDT
[#5]
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:36:53 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......


Most if not all will be college libtards too stupid and too scared to operate a weapon.
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:39:34 PM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......


Most if not all will be college libtards too stupid and too scared to operate a weapon.


How did the quote from V For Vendetta go?  "What usually happens when those with guns and those without guns clash?"  ...or something like that.  Can't remember that exact quote.
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:41:43 PM EDT
[#8]
Wow. Really interesting stuff.


Its funny how there are SO many examples of how big centralized governments destroy the economy so fast, yet the socialists/liberals ALWAYS seem to try it again.... "But but, this time it will REALLY work!".....



A definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:44:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Great Post!



We are FUCKED!

Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:44:32 PM EDT
[#10]

these people are traitors to our country and constitution

and i could give two shits if it's not "techinically" correct,  it is in my view.



Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:44:53 PM EDT
[#11]
Great post, I got that in an E-mail and forwarded it to everyone.  History is the best teacher, for those who will listen.
Link Posted: 3/10/2010 9:50:58 PM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......


Most if not all will be college libtards too stupid and too scared to operate a weapon.


How did the quote from V For Vendetta go?  "What usually happens when those with guns and those without guns clash?"  ...or something like that.  Can't remember that exact quote.


Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people *with* guns.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:18:53 PM EDT
[#13]
Bump for the end of the day shift and the start of the swing shift.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:27:44 PM EDT
[#14]
Well done.

The similarities are ... distressing ... at the very least.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:30:09 PM EDT
[#15]
And BHO is the headmaster of it all

And people VOTED him in to office x^
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:32:46 PM EDT
[#16]
Interesting read, thanks for sharing
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:46:23 PM EDT
[#17]
The more I see and hear, like in the Dems in the House trying to "deem" the Senate bill on health care passed so they can makes changes with no vote at all, makes me think we are screwed.

More and more I have less and less hope that we will ever get back on the right track.  I am hoping that in November the idiocy can be turned around, but am not holding my breath.

It seems to me that it more a matter of time before things fly apart than anything else.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:55:31 PM EDT
[#18]
Very fucking scary.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 12:58:05 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......


They'll use A-10's actually.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:02:41 PM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:


Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:10:37 PM EDT
[#21]
tag to send to others later
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:22:10 PM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
Wow. Really interesting stuff.


Its funny how there are SO many examples of how big centralized governments destroy the economy so fast, yet the socialists/liberals ALWAYS seem to try it again.... "But but, this time it will REALLY work!".....



A definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."


It's been going on since ancient Greece.

Revolutions in democracies are generally caused by the intemperance of demagogues, who either in their private capacity lay information against rich men until they compel them to combine (for a common danger unites even the bitterest enemies), or coming forward in public stir up the people against them. The truth of this remark is proved by a variety of examples. At Cos the democracy was overthrown because wicked demagogues arose, and the notables combined. At Rhodes the demagogues not only provided pay for the multitude, but prevented them from making good to the trierarchs the sums which had been expended by them; and they, in consequence of the suits which were brought against them, were compelled to combine and put down the democracy. The democracy at Heraclea was overthrown shortly after the foundation of the colony by the injustice of the demagogues, which drove out the notables, who came back in a body and put an end to the democracy. Much in the same manner the democracy at Megara was overturned; there the demagogues drove out many of the notables in order that they might be able to confiscate their property. At length the exiles, becoming numerous, returned, and, engaging and defeating the people, established the oligarchy. The same thing happened with the democracy of Cyme, which was overthrown by Thrasymachus. And we may observe that in most states the changes have been of this character. For sometimes the demagogues, in order to curry favor with the people, wrong the notables and so force them to combine; either they make a division of their property, or diminish their incomes by the imposition of public services, and sometimes they bring accusations against the rich that they may have their wealth to confiscate.


Excerpts from Aristotle's Politics, Book 5, Chapter 5.

http://radicalacademy.com/hctdfilehome5b.htm
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:34:34 PM EDT
[#23]
Very interesting article. Puts things in perspective.

However, I am not giving up yet; Obama has awaked the previously sleeping middle class and we have an opportunity to turn this ship around. Don't give up!
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:38:31 PM EDT
[#24]
Waiting for someone to came by that knows about Argentine History so we know how much of this is true
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:43:41 PM EDT
[#25]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Soon all we will be missing in this country is an overabundance of death squads to disappear all of us posting here. Damn, I almost forgot, Barry's proposed civilian security force......


They'll use A-10's actually.




What you did there, yea I see it
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:45:17 PM EDT
[#26]
Quoted:
Waiting for someone to came by that knows about Argentine History so we know how much of this is true



We have a member from there, Demos I think

He has posted about what he has lived through a few times.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:45:37 PM EDT
[#27]
Quoted:
Waiting for someone to came by that knows about Argentine History so we know how much of this is true


His username is FerFal. Look him up here or on youtube.

Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:51:42 PM EDT
[#28]
This have been brewing in America for a long time and our downward spiral started decades ago.



Link Posted: 3/11/2010 1:52:18 PM EDT
[#29]
But in the defense of socialism, Germany has had a goverment pension system going since WWI and they are still a very vibrant economy with the money to bail out the socialist economies of Spain & Greece.

Sometimes it is more about the people than the system.

For example, capitalism has worked very well in formerly communist China
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 2:19:56 PM EDT
[#30]
Quoted:
Wow. Really interesting stuff.

Its funny how there are SO many examples of how big centralized governments destroy the economy so fast, yet the socialists/liberals ALWAYS seem to try it again.... "But but, this time it will REALLY work!".....

A definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."


Yep.  It really does come down to that.  Historically-ignorant - or arrogant - generations defy the life lessons of others.

I've said it before: the water-walking glorious leader wasn't elected by accident.  The majority of people want a guilded cage w/ free stuff, & they voted for that false promise.  Others threw in, taken in by the "good intentions" of the message.  The inevitable consequence is failure.  This party-admin. will pass.  But the electorate that put it there can elect worse, & if desperate enough, probably will.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 2:27:06 PM EDT
[#31]
Quoted:
And BHO is the headmaster of it all

And people VOTED him in to office x^




Queen Amidala

So this is how Liberty dies...with thunderous applause.

OK found it

Does it remind you of the Night BHO got elected

Liberty is not dead but its been wounded
The Voters can fix it in November
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 3:46:24 PM EDT
[#32]
Quoted:
But in the defense of socialism, Germany has had a goverment pension system going since WWI and they are still a very vibrant economy with the money to bail out the socialist economies of Spain & Greece.

Sometimes it is more about the people than the system.

For example, capitalism has worked very well in formerly communist China


China does not have a free market, nor does it have a free political systems, by any stretch of the imagination. China seems to have more of a capitalistic approach as it allows some people to get wealthy, but only with the permission of the state. In this regard, their economy is akin to fascism. Many people got rich owning and running the factories in pre-war Germany, but many, many more suffered in poverty and were used as fodder.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 3:49:11 PM EDT
[#33]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Waiting for someone to came by that knows about Argentine History so we know how much of this is true


His username is FerFal. Look him up here or on youtube.




Thats who I was thinking of, thanks.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 4:01:39 PM EDT
[#34]



Quoted:


But in the defense of socialism, Germany has had a goverment pension system going since WWI and they are still a very vibrant economy with the money to bail out the socialist economies of Spain & Greece.



Sometimes it is more about the people than the system.



For example, capitalism has worked very well in formerly communist China


We probably have more people on Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid than Germany has in TOTAL population.



Things that work in relatively small nations does not necessarily scale to large nations with 4, 5 or 6 times the people.



 
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 4:06:59 PM EDT
[#35]
Quoted:
But in the defense of socialism, Germany has had a goverment pension system going since WWI and they are still a very vibrant economy with the money to bail out the socialist economies of Spain & Greece.

Sometimes it is more about the people than the system.

For example, capitalism has worked very well in formerly communist China


Well, it is my understanding that in the 1950s, West Germany adopted free market reforms (against the advice of the Western Allies still in occupation), and the economy bloomed. One of the greatest growths in an economy ever.

Many think that the Marshall Plan supported Germany. Not so. Germany was not an origional recipient, our former allies were, primarly England and France. Germany did end up on the Marshall Plan, but the plan did not quite offset the reperations payments the Germans had to make; essentially England, France, etc., received a check direct from the US, and then one indirect from the US via Germany. On top of that, Germany had to pay for the occupation.

I think you are correct that some cultures can handle the ravages of socialism better than others. The Swedes did somewhat OK, at least before they let in Third world immigration. And Germany is, by Euro standards, less socialist than most. On top of that, we cover their defense, which allows them to fool around more with stupid ideas.

Link Posted: 3/11/2010 4:29:26 PM EDT
[#36]
Would you mind PM'ing me that power point?
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 4:41:57 PM EDT
[#37]
Great History Lesson.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 4:52:46 PM EDT
[#38]
Those who forget history .............
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 5:13:17 PM EDT
[#39]
Tag.

I'd love to read more about the mess that happened to Argentina.   It definitely does seem to me that many people here ignore that history... and if you ignor history...
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 5:27:18 PM EDT
[#40]
Yeah, but Argentina has a hotter than Sarah Palin el Presidente!





Link Posted: 3/11/2010 6:09:42 PM EDT
[#41]
tag
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 6:21:35 PM EDT
[#42]
and now, and in color, a host of Latin American Meat Packing glitterati
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 6:30:26 PM EDT
[#43]
Quoted:
And BHO is the headmaster of it all


Soros is the headmaster of it all.

Make no mistake, he's set to profit off of it all.  He got rich when the pound collapsed, got rich when the Asian economies went into the toilet, got rich when Russia was in the shitter at the end of the Yeltsin era and he'll do the same here.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 6:32:10 PM EDT
[#44]
Quoted:
Quoted:
But in the defense of socialism, Germany has had a goverment pension system going since WWI and they are still a very vibrant economy with the money to bail out the socialist economies of Spain & Greece.

Sometimes it is more about the people than the system.

For example, capitalism has worked very well in formerly communist China


Well, it is my understanding that in the 1950s, West Germany adopted free market reforms (against the advice of the Western Allies still in occupation), and the economy bloomed. One of the greatest growths in an economy ever.

Many think that the Marshall Plan supported Germany. Not so. Germany was not an origional recipient, our former allies were, primarly England and France.



Spain wasn't part of the Marshall Plan, but Franco adopted free market reforms in the 50s and 60s and the economy boomed there too.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 9:15:22 PM EDT
[#45]
Quoted:
Would you mind PM'ing me that power point?


Sent you an email.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 9:19:01 PM EDT
[#46]





Dude, Sarah Palin > that lady.  



 
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 9:28:35 PM EDT
[#47]
Quoted:


Dude, Sarah Palin > that lady.  
 


I have to agree... though that Argentinian is quite attractive.
Link Posted: 3/11/2010 9:45:04 PM EDT
[#48]
Too bad right now there is no one to oppose the goobermint and try to really keep more of this shit from happening.  I mean what is to stop the goobermint from getting bigger and bigger and bigger?  They sure as fuck aren't going to get smaller.
Link Posted: 3/12/2010 4:21:40 AM EDT
[#49]
Quoted:
Quoted:


Dude, Sarah Palin > that lady.  
 


I have to agree... though that Argentinian is quite attractive.


Christina has a MILFey appeal.  As corrupt as all get-out though.
Link Posted: 3/12/2010 4:28:51 AM EDT
[#50]
The wheels have come off this country already.
Nothing lasts forever, there are no exceptions.
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