A Stitch in Haste

To review: The distinction between economic freedom and political freedom is a fiction. They are merely two sides of the same coin. There is no such thing as a "semi-totalitarian" regime where one can have individual rights without property rights, or vice versa. The best recent example of this principle has of course been China, with its preposterous claims to be a "market-based" Communist dictatorship.

But, as some of us predicted, Hu Jintao now has some competition:

President Hugo Chavez has imposed a ban on alcohol sales during Holy Week in an attempt to reduce accidents and crimes, prompting a run on liquor stores.
...
The sudden, unprecedented measure confused many Venezuelans who raced to stash up before Friday, thinking that would be their last chance to buy for more than a week.

"People are desperate, above all because the majority found out at the last minute," said Jose Manuel Fernandes, a liquor store owner in Caracas, as he struggled to meet the demands of dozens of customers yelling for bottles and cases of their preferred drink.

Remind me again how banning alcohol has anything to do with "socialism"? Apparently "freedom from economic oppression" includes freedom from the ability to buy a bottle of wine on a Friday night. Viva La Revolucion!

It's quite simple really: Create a dictator and he will eventually begin dictating. Power corrupts -- especially the corruptible.

Meanwhile, one wonders what arbitrary, capricious, make-people-desperate decree Chavez will issue next -- in the name of his "glorious socialist revolution."

But look on the bright side -- at least he didn't ban trans fats.