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The New Venezuelan Entrepreneur: Making A living Lining-Up For Toilet Paper
Submitted by Simon Black via Sovereign Man blog,
At two in the morning, Krisbell quietly slips out of bed so as to not wake the two small children curled up next to her.
She grabs her phone and quickly dials her friends’ numbers as she’s already headed out the door to get the day’s intelligence report.
Most importantly—where is milk, sugar, and toilet paper being sold today?
From the moment price controls were levied in the country, there were shortages of everything in Venezuela.
Each month, it’s become increasingly difficult to get basic goods. And the lines are growing longer and longer.
Not everyone can afford to wait in line half the day just to get a few supplies.
And since you can’t even get everything in one store, it takes the second half of the day to get the rest of what you need—if there’s even anything left by then.
Friends and neighbors had started coming to Krisbell, asking her if she could help them get things from the grocery store.
They all have to work just to be able to afford the food in the first place, and they can’t spare the time to stand in line.
So (as reported by Bloomberg) Krisbell started taking on clients. Now she has enough that she’s earning her entire living from waiting in line.
Imagine—an entire cottage industry (absurd as it may be) now exists in Venezuela because of destructive government polices.
Everyone in the country has to pay extra for their basic goods, while others dedicate their professional lives to the unproductive task of standing in line.
(If this seems far-fetched, consider that the US tax preparation industry takes in $6 billion annually for dedicating itself to the unproductive task of filling out Byzantine tax forms…)
There’s no limit to the stupidity and destructiveness of people in power, and Venezuela’s President Maduro is a prime example.
This man (and his predecessor) took the country with the largest oil reserves in the world and crippled it to the point that Venezuela now imports oil.
And that was before oil prices plummeted. Now the country is even weaker.
Venezuela’s government is now on the brink of defaulting on its financial obligations… just as it has already defaulted on its obligations to its citizens.
It’s a sad example of what governments do when they go bankrupt.
Almost invariably they manipulate the currency and print money.
This eventually causes inflation to get out of hand and prices to soar. They try to control it by imposing price controls.
And because it becomes unprofitable for businesses to produce at artificially low prices, shortages ensue.
Then they institute capital controls to trap money inside the country.
This movie has played out so many times before. And yet people rarely learn.
The consequences of terrible decisions creep up gradually, and then suddenly. Most people don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late.
The resulting economic hardship often leads to extremism, or dangerous populism. Just look at what’s happening across Europe (and especially Greece with its new radical left Prime Minister).
But it all starts with a bankrupt government and decades of destructive policies.
We’ve all seen what’s happened with Venezuela. If you’re in a bankrupt nation, make sure this doesn’t affect you. Make sure you always have a Plan B.
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Scarcity leading to job creation. Now there's an interesting new economic concept.
Use old political posters of Hugo to wipe it. Face up.
You like wipe yo' azz?
Imagine, an entire cottage industry based upon policies of medieval fiefdoms has arisen on Wall Street
Imagine, a single pan-continental government monopolizing currency issuance for a nation of 300 million.
Imagine, a tiny occupied country, monopolizing... never mind.
Now imagine gasoline at 6 cents a gallon... Hummer f**king Heaven.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-23/venezuela-drivers-rue-maduro-ca...
Forward!
Use old political posters of Hugo to wipe it. Face up.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, make it political posters...
of that uncompetent scumbag, Obola, and you've got a deal!
What a slimy turd who needs wiping!
Well ~ It's easy if you try Dick.
Let me guess... the solution to the problem is to sell the oilfields to Blackstone or Soros for $1 since it's such an obvious money-looser...
That's what will happen when the country will implode.
You can have free market and even capitalism without selling everything to your imperialist neighbor and chosenites.
Free markets?
Where in the IMF world bank federal reserve stratosphere?
ok.......
venezuela is taking it in the shorts w the War on Russia - right now it's Economic Warfare destroying the ruskies thru low oil prices -
but the usa is sending troops and weapons to the ukraine - that ought to up the ante -
but seriously the ONLY choice is to be run asunder OR SUBMIT to the Western fascist banksters -
the same threats are leveled on the USA - bail out the criminal banksters or We'll Take The Whole Economy DOWN!
Perkins COnfessiosn of an Economic Hitman writ large in Venezuela -
AND WHATEVER venezuela does DO NOT spend that oil money on your PEOPLE!
give it to a wealthy few or the international bankster and we'll let your country survive! (on our terms of course)
Looks like there should be a new market in making and installing bidets
Even on the socialist toilet paper ration line, the people resort to black market capitalism to improve their situation, as can only be expected of RATIONAL human beings.
Cool ain't it?
Even toilet paper goes where its appreciated while the socialist slugs waking up at 3:00 in the afternoon complain bitterly to their loving government slave masters about the brown stains in their shorts ;-)
use leaves or wash your ass when it rains. I know it rains in south america.
Exactly! I thought that Europe and South America had those nifty little bidet thingys that you could use to hose your crotch off.
I don't know if the have crotch shots for cleaning but I know they live in a rain forest. Georgia Pacific prolly cutting all their trees down anyway. Maybe its time for locals to renegotiate.
Get one of those Indian toilet wands. Its cleaner, good for the environment and does not clog your drains.
Learned this from our 1st Sgt from Hazard County Ky. Wasn't any shit paper in the "show case shitters" so he gave us the "proper way to wipe your ass" lesson. We were headed to the 1st GUlf War and needed this vital training!
Just imagine, lil' chubby, short, pissed off 1st Sgt with a Hazard Ky drawl showing us how to save on toilet paper and wipe your ass like this lady does - all the while screaming and inserting at least 5 expletives per sentence:
Maybe she could do some consultation work abroad? Anyone who has kids (esecially girls) in the house should give this lesson!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrfMbhMyRzU
Well see, your problem here is you need MOAR Socialism and MOAR programs.
/sarc.
What a shitty job. Gotta make that paper.
Raycissism / Transgenders 2016 - Cope & Derange
.....sometimes I feel like I just can't.......what are the rents like in Antarctica these days?
Neat thing on a NatGeo or something of that ilk, program about the over the winter cadre at whatever station down South Pole way.
Had a whole bunch of Linguists.
Not translators. Linguists.
Wonder what's really down there?
KOWALSKI! How the fuck did this leak out?
As is ALWAYS the problem with Socialism, when you point out to a 'believer', examples of failure; they just say that they meant well, but "they just didn't do it right".
Funny how it has failed spectacularly everywhere it has been tried......
Well just wait until Maduro gets back from his trip. He'll put an end to this type of entrepreneurialism. Personally, I think she'd be spending her time more wisely by reloading 5.56, 7.62, and perhaps some 9mm.
7.62 x25? x39? x51? x54R?
Shit, we have dumb asses who will sit outside of a WalMart for a month just to save $50 on some Black Friday sale. Maybe these people should start selling their services.
They are selling their services. We pay them welfare, give them housing and food stamps so they can be idle. Idle is the new service in this brave new world.
Ah, yes. I forgot about that, as I've been too busy working my ass off, so that my taxes could be used for some non productive citizen. Or some other nefarious bullshit.
.
That shit be pandemic.
Its also to shield you from the social consequences of 10% population starvation or die-off.
That wellfare money is protecting all of us in ways we dont know. We would know though, if we cut it off. Crime, starvation, kidnapping, protests -- all things which are kept low by these payments.
I think it would be kind of a daring and hilarious experiment to cut it -- basically, just choose to have a humanitarian crisis because "our principles of fair play and discipline demand it".
I dont think anyone can forsee those consequences, nor any amount of stocked up ammunition protect a person and their family against the fallout from that. It would basically be the decision to kick off an internal civil war within the country. Would be a wonderful gain for the police state, probably, as all their weapons and security would actually come in handy.
as it will be here...
then again americans will be wiping their ignorant asses with Federal Reserve Notes...
This free market strategy has been employed as long as prostitution or at least as long as Bureaucracy. (Prostitution is at least 10 years older than Bureaucracy).
I'd rather live like that than pretend 9/11 wasn't an inside job.
.
Madams. You're talking about Madams.
Anyone watching $CU these past few days. Someone is defending a line with all they have. This is getting entertaining.
That may well be the Bank of China. Lot's of re-re-re-rehypothicated copper warehousing going on so a drop in price would leave a big mark.
See. hillary was right, the gov does make jobs.
Hitlery couldn't be right even if she were the only one left.
Coming to a country near you in Europe since 25/01/2015 !
VEF=GRD=shit.
Everyday I'm HUSTLIN'!
Following their beliefs to the inevitable conclusion, THIS is what progressives would have for America.
THIS is their 'paradise'!
Of course, they'll have to wait for nothing as they'll live in luxury within their gated communities/castles. The lines for toilet paper, other day-to-day items, and healthcare will be for the rest of us.
At least we will be "equal" though..... (equally miserable)
One has to wonder when the serfs start soaking the toilet paper in kerosene, placing it atop pitch forks,(on fire) then demanding Maduro's head on a pike in front of the presidential palace.
Campers, mountain climbers, hikers, preppers - have known for years the cheaper, totally compact, replacement for bulky, obsolete TP:
Coffee filters.
Well I just now.learned of a new use for the sack of filters I have at my cabin.
Thanks
Before or after you use them to make coffee?
Well, if it's down to chicory...
Outstanding idea. I bought the wrong size for my coffe maker at the pallet-purchase club. I'm good for a while then.
If the Greeks only had oil they would have been able to ruin their economy as the Venezuelans have.
Puutie has the oil and is just a few years behind with the Russian economy.
If the Greeks had oil, they'd be a British Commonwealth.
"Day sez I'ma con-see-urge or sometin'"
So, you know where I can get weapons, drugs, blackmarket currency and a good time then.
"Socialist paradise" meets general rule of governmnet #2: Government always accomplishes the opposite of the stated goal. Always.
The banksters need to repay us.
For those desiring the best, and most concise, explanation on why government, central-planning, cannot ever succeed, read Hayek's, "Road to Serfdom."
It is basically the Cliff Notes for governmnet.
"Imagine - an entire cottage industry (absurd as it may be) now exists in Venezuela because of destructive government polices."
In America, we have the legal and accounting "professions" that mostly exist because of destructive government polices.
How entrepreneurial of her.
Baaah.... Baaah.... but... but... because socialism!
Baaah...
Just don't tell them we still have TP in the US. They'll be crossing the border in droves.
We had toilet paper shortages in college. As my roomate once said, you can never get a clean sh*t when you need one.
Coming to a mall near you..
The picture look like the ones from the NYC snow armaggedon frenzy shopping.