Friends, as I travel through the beautiful land of Colombia, it strikes me that this country has made incredible progress since the bad-old-days of leftist rebellions and drug-related carnage in the 80s and 90s. Violence is way down, tourism is way up, and people are fleeing to Colombia rather than from it. These are all great indicators, but now all that progress is in jeopardy, because Colombia could elect a leftist leader on June 17th: Gustavo Petro. Colombians are rightly fearful that Petro could inflict Venezuela-style chaos on the nation, and that is the last thing they need. Duque, by contrast, is the candidate of the Centro Democratico -- the party that has led the nation away from violence and towards prosperity and progress. Colombia has been a reliable partner for the United States as well. In short, there is no need for Colombians to change course, and, even if they do want a fresh face and a candidate outside the corrupt establishment, Duque still represents a sounder choice. Colombians -- say no to Petro, and yes to Duque! A tough approach to crime and political violence, and an openness to capitalist development and international investment, have gotten you this far. Stay the course.
You can read more about the election on June 17th, and why Duque is likely to win it, here:
http://time.com/5297734/ivan-duque-colombia-election-risk-report/
Dr. Waddy: Why are south and central American countries so prone to political instability and the apparent inevitability of rule by gangsters (in which definition I include the Castro/ Guevara/ Chedi Jagan/ Chavez/ Allende types)?. The most likely factor is the legacy of the rule of a country which considered its colonies to be fiefs and transmitted this view to the upper classes it empowered on site. Many say the chaos is attributable to American influence. But I see in their language and their cultural traditions the overwhelming influence of Spain and the ideal of "El Jefe". That country, despite catastrophic episodes, has had a perhaps relatively stable history but its former colonies, lacking its cultural historical foundation, have foundered in dysfunction. If Colombia bids fair to shed the onerous influence of murderous mobs, then I revere those who heroically literally embody such determination and say they possess superlative courage and determination.
ReplyDeleteJack, the good news is that Latin America has come a long way since, say, the 70s and 80s. Dictatorships are far less common, and a lot of economic growth has occurred. Nonetheless, leftist parties remain popular, and sometimes their impact is downright catastrophic. Above all, we need to support our friends in the Americas, and help our enemies, if possible, to face facts, move along, and let the tide of history take over...
ReplyDeleteP.S. Cuba Libre would be a nice way to put the nail in the coffin of Latin American socialism, no?
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: What a break that would be for the Cuban people, after decades of Marxist oppression. I hope that tendency towards freedom and prosperity continues in Latin America as you have described it. Modern life can be so good.
ReplyDeleteYes, much as people criticize the US (and boy do they criticize us!), the American model of democracy, freedom, and capitalism continues to attract immigrants and admirers from all over the world. If there's one thing I'm against, it's self-pity, and we Americans need to put that aside! We can and will, I trust, under President Trump's leadership, provide a model that the rest of the Americas can follow...
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: Ditto on that: we are blessed with a quality of life that would have amazed the wisest of the early Enlightenment thinkers and their immediate proteges. Any misgivings we may have about our society's shortcomings must, I think, be viewed in that light. Given the limits of modern technology, this is the way life should be led. Every time I go into Wegmans, I think about how wonderful it is that we all have access to such a bounteous place. Its a miracle. History does give one some very valuable perspectives.
ReplyDeleteAmen! And it's a perspective that few have, unfortunately. The huddled masses should listen to wise men like you and me more often, eh?
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy: Oh well; we participate in the marketplace of ideas and, I think, hope that they have some impact. Not withstanding, its a thrill simply to exercise and enjoy the blessed freedom of expression which is ours in this unique land, at least for now. We must take present domestic threats to that freedom very seriously. Imagine if the entire country were one big American university. How sad it is that so many people live in lands where they dare not be frank about their opinions. Some Latin American lands sadly fit that definition.
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