Letters to the Editor – 28/02 – Socialist Venezuela, SNP failings, Best of Twitter
Socialist Venezuela
[Re: How socialism has destroyed Venezuela, Wednesday]
The problem with socialism is that economic decisions, and control of capital, are concentrated among a tiny ruling elite. Once this happens, the means and incentives exist for that elite to enrich itself. The pull is greater than any residual egalitarian ideals. History has shown that all socialist societies eventually decay into autocratic kleptocracies, and that’s exactly what is happening in Venezuela today. Only capitalism has some impartial means of control, namely market competition.
MLE Bauer
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SNP failings
[Re: How Alex Salmond is ignoring the real risks of Scottish independence, yesterday]
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has so far made no real attempt to quantify the transition costs in terms of lost jobs and businesses in the event of a “Yes” vote. Instead, we Scots are just used as pawns in a battle for Alex Salmond to get himself a bigger train set. There is real anger amongst Scots that we are caught in a fight that most of us did not want to start. The SNP has lost many recent Scottish by-elections, and I sincerely hope they will not just lose this vote, but get thrown out of Holyrood as well.
Name withheld
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BEST OF TWITTER
First they fixed price of credit. Then the price of energy. Then rent. Time for a free market alternative?
@DouglasCarswell
Cameron echoes important message: Ukraine should not be made to “choose” between Europe and Russia.
@AllieRenson
Been listening to Angela Merkel: strong, strategic and focused. What a contrast to Cameron.
@oakeshottm
Standard Life is just the tip of the iceberg. Scottish Life, Scottish Widows, Aegon all based in Scotland.
@philgq