Cuban health care
Cuban healthcare story
I'm sure you've probably already seen this story from dateline. Another example of what is possible when 'the market' is not left to manage.
Saw some other references to this from the bloggers on the other end of the spectrum - just quietly I think one could find worse pictures from the NHS than they were able to provide for their rebuttal of this documentary.
With Evo Morales in the picture in Bolivia I'm feeling decidedly optimistic about the future of Latin America - sin imperialistas!
posted by Nick at 9:19 pm
6 Comments:
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060501faessay85302/jorge-g-castaneda/latin-america-s-left-turn.html
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 5:42:00 pm
A brief skim tells me that this guy thinks that 'orthodox market structures' are a positive thing and thank heavens Lula didn't put up a fight. So I stopped reading and assumed he is probably going to be anti-Morales and the re-nationalisation of Bolivian industries - and especially the pro-coca growers attitude. The more coca Bolivia grow the better - if the upper middle class can't help themselves from their coke addictions that's their problem. Don't blame the producer - just like you can't ban McDonalds.
Of course Chavez is a bit crazy and antagonistic to the US but it is certainly better than falling in line behind every other nation and allowing the dreadful possibility of global politics becoming a bland mix of centre-left and centre-right cardboard cut-out generic politicians.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 6:48:00 pm
It's good that an anti-American philosophy is forming itself into our society. I have got nothign against the people, just something against the imperialistic life-style. Therefore it's remarkable that our little 3rd world (?) Sout-American brothers are brave enough to follow their own market-strategy and fight against the big corporate giants that direct half of the world's politics. Maybe one day, our so called smarter(?) western leaders will have got the bravery to follow the lead of anti-corporate politics.
Thursday, June 01, 2006 4:44:00 pm
I interpreted the essay as a warning against romanticising Morales and Chavez as heroes of the left, when really they are populists and nationalists and not really thoughtful progressive politicians at all.
I suppose time will tell. And if they fail to improve the quality of life of the average Bolivian or Venezualan, they can always blame the US and those evil "orthodox market structures" that run the world.
We can duke it out in the Sahara soon, you mad Marxist ;).
Thursday, June 01, 2006 5:05:00 pm
I agree that too much faith shouldn't be put into any leader, especially a radical one. As you say, time will tell, and time has already told the story of US intervention and infiltration and 'orthodox market structures' and I haven't seen an iota of gain for the poor of latin america, merely the increased sprawl of slums around cities as impoverished farmers look for work of any kind in the nearest city. A global problem.
Obviously I don't really agree with Morales' nationalistic approach when it comes to antagonising Peru, Chile and Argentina (at the same time not knowing completely whether he has a valid case or not - I do know Bolivians are the gentlest most peaceful people in Latin America and as such have been kicked around by everyone throughout their history - maybe it is time someone made a stand a demanded back what was theirs originally). But nationalism in the form of developing a nations ability to support itself without flighty foreign direct investment is not a bad thing.
As I first said, I am optimistic. And I like the fact that Morales was a coca growers union leader, the more coca the better, nationalise drug producing and trafficking and send it all to the US!
Thursday, June 01, 2006 6:13:00 pm
I totally agree! If the US wants free markets than consider cocaine a product and the US a market. The free hand always wins out in the end...
Monday, June 05, 2006 10:09:00 pm
Post a Comment
<< Home