If I did such a thing, I would deserve the tag “criminal.” I would be extorting you, threatening physical violence to take your property and freedom. Whoever helped me do so would also deserve to come under scrutiny.

 

This is just what Bolivian president Evo Morales is doing. It is a little surprising how cool and calm analysts are taking the nationalization process. We read and hear that nationalization can be good or bad, that it can create economic insecurity in Boliva. Nor am I free of blame. But few people seem to recognize the nature of nationalization, the use of absolute force against peaceful individuals and entities. In Bolivia, the state, which is supposed to secure respect for life, private property and freedom, has become the main threat to all three things. The largest criminal organization in that Andean country is not the mafia, but the Morales administration. Does anyone believe Morales sent his armed forces to private companies’ installations just for symbolism? These soldiers will not hesitate to murder anyone who attempts to defend himself against such attacks. But of course, it is all for the common good. This is the excuse leftists always use to ease their guilty consciences.

 

If Morales is a criminal, so are those who support him. It might be relatively acceptable for Spanish Prime Minister Rodriguez Zapatero to consider the dispute to be between the Bolivian government and Spanish companies, but from there to continuing and expanding aid to this criminal with Spanish taxpayers’ money is a big leap.   

 

It is an unacceptable fact. Do you really want your money falling into a tyrant’s hands instead of it staying in your pocket? You would certainly put it to better use.