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There are No "Happy Socialist" States (Nigel Jones, -UK, 12/08/18 6:56 am)

Both Tor Guimaraes and John Eipper (7 December) are wrong in attempting to exculpate the utterly discredited and murderous doctrine of socialism for the catastrophic situation in Venezuela.

Twenty years of dictatorial socialism has reduced what was once one of the most prosperous states in Latin America to the abject condition described in the Guardian report I posted. This was not right-wing propaganda but a rare instance of honesty in that leftist rag.

Nor, as John claims, are Scandinavian countries happy socialist states. John may not have noticed, but these countries have long since abandoned socialism and populist anti-left parties are on the rise there as they are all over Europe.

JE comments:  Tor and I weren't trying to exculpate socialism.  Tor's point was that it (socialism) does not have a monopoly on dysfunction and murderousness.

David A (Bert) Westbrook also wrote in to tell me that I'm not current on Scandinavian politics.  Let's turn this into a "teachable" moment.  I'm aware that the Right is gaining more political power in Sweden.  What about Norway?  Or Denmark?  Is the welfare state being dismantled?  I hope Paul Levine can send an update from Copenhagen.

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