A Warning to the Speculators

Image by rogimmi via Flickr

For whatever reason Venezuela is devaluing their currency. Although this is a story in itself the interesting part for me is the threat from the Venezuelan government and Hugo Chavez to appropriate the assets of anyone using this devaluation to trouser some easy profits off the backs of the rank and file Venezuelan. As the BBC News reports:

Mr Chavez dismissed the criticism on Sunday on his weekly television and radio programme, Alo Presidente, saying there was "no reason for anybody to be raising prices".

He urged his supporters to "publicly denounce the speculator" and warned business owners that he had asked the military to formulate an "offensive plan" that would see them "take over any business, of any size, that plays the bourgeois speculation game".

"I want the National Guard to hit the streets with the people to fight against speculation and take measures," he said, without specifying.

Would that our government had the balls to confront the speculators and the money men that bring such misery to our own corner of the world. Instead they continue to line their own pockets and ensure that their pensions and post-government directorships are all lined up like toy soldiers for their own future. Truly appropriating the assets that belong to the people and the world for their own pleasure.