The ongoing plunge in global oil prices is pushing Venezuela toward economic collapse just as President Nicolas Maduro — the hand-picked successor to the late socialist Hugo Chavez — faces mounting international criticism for jailing opposition figures after months of street protests.
Where Chavez once drew praise from the world’s leftist elite for using the high price of crude oil during the 2000s to underwrite a socialist revolution, a growing number of analysts in Washington say Mr. Maduro is clinging to power in a country on the edge of becoming a failed state.
Venezuela still boasts some of the world’s largest known crude reserves, but it has continued for too long spending more on government programs than it has collected in oil revenue, analysts say. The average price of oil has dropped from more than $100 a barrel to less than $60 during recent weeks, only adding to Venezuela’s woes.
Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news...zuela-to-brink-of-economic-col/#ixzz3MqUe7Cjq
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Sliding oil prices leave socialist Venezuela on brink of financial collapse
Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by Revmitchell, Dec 24, 2014.
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
One of this country's big gas sellers in the US is Vallero. So, like I said, I feel for the people as they depend on oil profits to live high on the hog, and right now the hogs are scarce and hard to find!
And finally the US is enjoying a time of respite from extremely high, often over-inflated gas prices. I hope and pray the prices fall even more, maybe under $2.00, or even one. Of course, the one dollar price would never come to be due to inflated state and federal taxes that almost add up to a dollar alone!
My advice to all Americans is to enjoy it while it lasts. It will be ging back up, but hopefully not for a long time! :wavey: -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
California's new Carbon Gas Tax to Hurt Pocketbooks in 2015....
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/econo...ifornia-carbon-gas-tax-could-cost-drivers-big
This bill, which was pretty much dormant and nearly forgotten aobut has raised the ire of Californians because in 2015 it could raise the price of gas at the pump by at least fifteen cents. Now that doesn't sound like a lot, but this state already pays the second highest state tax to fuel their cars, and now this carbon gas tax is set to be applied starting on January 1, 2015.
This is a shame, so if you are planning to pass through California on a vacation in 2015, don't be surprised to see prices for gas higher than even the highest prices in other states!
Time to fill 'er up New Years, and to fill up my numerous five gallon cans, too! :smilewinkgrin: -
Felt real good! -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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church mouse guy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
The collapse of oil prices is part of the reason that Obama wants to give credit to Cuba--the Cubans get 100,00 barrels of oil per day from Maduro and that largess has dropped in value since the Saudis declared economic war on US oil interests. Obama moved quickly to try to bail out the murderous Castro brothers--the laugh is that we might give them credit and the Castros might spend the credit with the Chinese. At any rate, the US taxpayer will be stuck with the bill. Meanwhile back in Venezuela, Maduro is putting his opponents, real and imaginary, in prison. And leftist Brazil is propping up Venezuela.
Brazil and Cuba are major destinations for adults to have sex with children--two other such tourist destinations are Mexico (now dangerous) and the Dominican Republic.