Let's try it again, Hugo

drbill · #1 09-29-2006, 08:38 PM

Gringo Carlos alleges that Hugo Chavez engages in abusive trade practices with the DR, etc.

drbill et al agree.

Has anyone else noticed this?

REALLY stay on topic!

A.Hidalgo · #2 09-29-2006, 10:23 PM

Can we start off by asking Gringo Carlos for the sources of these
abusive trading practices by Chavez towards the DR. From there we take off and REALLY stay on topic. Promise.

Rick Snyder · #3 09-30-2006, 12:06 AM

Send him a PM and tell him we are waiting for his input to this earth shattering dilemma and we want the SOURCE........

Tuan · #4 09-30-2006, 07:57 AM

Of course they do. Venezuela is bigger than the DR and has lots of oil.
By definition they engage in abusive trading practices toward the DR.
That has anyway been the unaltered Latin American logos of the last century, so they should stick with it.

Squat · #5 09-30-2006, 08:26 AM

-Who can predict the future prices of oil ?
-No one...

-Who can predict the future exchange rate RD$/US$ ?
-No one...

Those who pretend they can are just abusing our credulity...

When one country (RD) is borrowing, it is always a risk, because of those 2 factors... It is almost poker...

GringoCArlos · #6 09-30-2006, 08:49 AM

drbill, I NEVER said that Hugo is involved in abusive trade practices. READ MY POST AGAIN. A.Hidalgo, read the newspapers. This oil deal is reported on at least a weekly basis.

My point is not that Hugo is a bad guy, but that the folks running the DR are friggin IDIOTS. Starting with Wimpy in Banco Central. And no, it AIN'T poker.

Would you, in your private life, choose not to pay for your gasoline consumption because gas prices were high for the past 8 or 10 months, and just let the charges pile up? Heck no. No sane person would.

Do you do the same thing at the supermarket? Charge the food, eat the food, schitt the food, and still have the charges sitting there, charging you interest a year from now?? Heck no!

You would bite the bullet, pay for your gas, and figure out how to use less until the price came down. Trade your SUV for a smaller car, or use a bus once in awhile if possible.

Earth shattering dilemma, Rick Snyder? Save your PM's because I don't bother with them. What is earth shattering about yet another act of stupidity by any Dominican government? Hugo Chavez is a genius in figuring out how to lock in a high sales price for his low-quality thick oil, and the Dominicans are chumps in jumping at his deal.

And Squat, oil is bought and sold in terms of US $, so that part of your equation goes out the window.

The people in government just wanted to avoid the screaming from the streets from people who couldn't buy gasoline, because the government is using their tax revenues for other, more important things such as a Metro project. Diandino has to get paid back, right?

As far as getting off-topic, if someone wants to bash another country, or change the subject, get your own topic. Mine is to talk about the amazing stupidity of ANY dominican politician, especially those with control of the country's money and/or credit.

GringoCArlos · #7 09-30-2006, 09:07 AM

I will include stupidity of a (any) country's leaders when it comes to using credit when it comes to using available cash for things that are luxuries, and needing to use credit for your necessities. Example, using your limited cash to buy cigarettes and lottery tickets, and then going to the compraventa so you can buy milk for your baby and so that you can pay your rent.

Another example, using your tax revenues to build a Metro and to pay bureaucrats RD$600,000 a month, and then borrowing money to buy gasoline for the country, because you have no cash left to pay for the gas.

Squat · #8 09-30-2006, 09:48 AM

hey, GringoCarlos, I think you are forcing an open door...

Borrowing is always bad... Just like you mentioned yourself in your supermarket example... Dominican politicians are very selfish and quite corrupted, we knew it already... I don't think they are stupid, I think they are serving their own selfish private interests...

You are right in what you say, but you make it sound like it's big news... I think it's just more of the same inherent latino corruption among people in power...

However, going in your direction, I would add that the Dominican Gvt took advantage of the rising price of oil last year, to discretly rise their share of tax on oil products, such as gasoline & gasoil... But I don't see this a a foolish act... It is more of a cynical act, manipulating public opinion into believing gas price at the pump is ONLY increased because of international oil price and NOT because of Gvt greed...

drbill · #9 09-30-2006, 09:06 PM

GC, you're preaching to the choir here.

Deeply sorry if my paraphrasing offended you.

Poor people (and poor countries) just can't negotiate the best terms with the prestamistas, plenty of bottom-feeders out there, nothing new.

Dominican politicians: Poor? Dumb? Evil? Whole other issue.

This is/was about Chavez, if I read it correctly.

A steady supply of combustible is a good thing socially and politically, too.

You must know that they're also borrowing heavily for the Metro, too.

Hillbilly · #10 09-30-2006, 09:12 PM

A lot of truth spoken here, guys....Chavez has his eyes set on being in power vor decades.....Venezuela's middle class is vastly outnumbered by the poor who are receiving billions in much needed and, until now never spent on them at least, dollars in oil income for schools, hospitals and housing....he will last for a long time.

And he knows that he can buy the DR refinerary and keep the DR paying (and extend his power) for years to come....same for Cuba....and others...

Like getting hooked on crack for a nation to take oil on the cuff...

HB