Your Favorite Modern Day Political Leader(s)

[Ardoki]

Hugo Chavez.

He's dead. And one of the primary reasons why Venezuela is in the crapper.

So he was not alive in what you would call the 'Modern Day'? Was he an ancient or medieval period leader instead?

I don't see how massively reducing poverty and crime is bad. However I'm guessing you are a quasi-neoconservative laissez-faire capitalist.

Hugo also greatly expanded access to healthcare and education, which many did not have access to prior.

[America Libertaria]

Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

[Laerod]

wow.

He also donates 90% of his $12,000 per month salary to charity.

He also defends assault.

[Anglo-California]

Patrick Buchanan.

[Costa Fierro]

I don't see how massively reducing poverty and crime is bad.

Reducing poverty is one thing. Crime? No. Crime increased under Chavez. Venezuela is now one of the most violent countries in the world, with Caracas one of the most violent cities.

There's something seriously wrong when you country has 19,000 murders every year. It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

However I'm guessing you are a quasi-neoconservative laissez-faire capitalist.

Oh, damn. You got me/sarcasm.

Hugo also greatly expanded access to healthcare and education, which many did not have access to prior.

And you know what's happened to that healthcare system? It's collapsed. Lack of government funding, chronic supply and equipment shortages and rolling blackouts will kind of do that.

But that's OK. He can continue to lead Venezuela through Nicolas Maduro, his slightly unhinged successor who sleeps beside Hugo's tomb some nights and is convinced Hugo appears as a little bird that speaks to him.

[Ardoki]

I don't see how massively reducing poverty and crime is bad.

Reducing poverty is one thing. Crime? No. Crime increased under Chavez. Venezuela is now one of the most violent countries in the world, with Caracas one of the most violent cities.

There's something seriously wrong when you country has 19,000 murders every year. It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

That is not Hugo's fault. The increase was caused by increased activity of Colombian drug cartels operating along the border.

However I'm guessing you are a quasi-neoconservative laissez-faire capitalist.

Oh, damn. You got me/sarcasm.

Fixed for you.

Hugo also greatly expanded access to healthcare and education, which many did not have access to prior.

And you know what's happened to that healthcare system? It's collapsed. Lack of government funding, chronic supply and equipment shortages and rolling blackouts will kind of do that.

But that's OK. He can continue to lead Venezuela through Nicolas Maduro, his slightly unhinged successor who sleeps beside Hugo's tomb some nights and is convinced Hugo appears as a little bird that speaks to him.

Hugo was not responsible for the lack of funds. There is an orchestrated attempt by Venezuelan corporations and the super wealthy to undermine the Bolivarian Revolution and overturn the achievements of Chavez. It's their fault!

[Laerod]

Reducing poverty is one thing. Crime? No. Crime increased under Chavez. Venezuela is now one of the most violent countries in the world, with Caracas one of the most violent cities.

There's something seriously wrong when you country has 19,000 murders every year. It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

That is not Hugo's fault. The increase was caused by increased activity of Colombian drug cartels operating along the border.

You said he reduced it. You were clearly wrong. And not only that, any reduction is something you would have credited him with, but suddenly any increase wouldn't have been his fault? That's extremely dishonest.

[Costa Fierro]

That is not Hugo's fault. The increase was caused by increased activity of Colombian drug cartels operating along the border.

Well, that seems the case if you believe whatever bullshit TeleSur says. You look at the last decade in Colombia and violent crime is decreasing. Over the border in Venezuela, violent crime has increased. It's not down to drug cartels, as Alvaro Uribe's crusade against them as well as other large narcotic producers such as FARC have driven all the major cocaine producers to source their product from Peru, where the interior is as lawless and the authorities as corrupt as Colombia was at the height of the cocaine trade.

The fact of the matter is, crime has not decreased in Venezuela. It's increased. You have the easy proliferation of firearms, a corrupt police force, an equally corrupt justice system and an overloaded healthcare system. That is a recipe for disaster and Venezuelans know it.

Fixed for you.

You know so much about me. Tell me more.

Hugo was not responsible for the lack of funds.

Really?

There is an orchestrated attempt by Venezuelan corporations and the super wealthy to undermine the Bolivarian Revolution and overturn the achievements of Chavez. It's their fault!

Both public and private hospitals in Venezuela are struggling to provide basic care for their patients. The crisis is down to the mismanagement and lack of investment by the government, not Venezuelan corporations or the super wealthy. Most of Venezuela's largest companies are state owned, including petroleum ones. And you know what Chavez did with all that new money? He rebuilt the military. Venezuela has hundreds of new tanks, he's outfitted the army with thousands of new assault rifles. There are new fighter jets, new surface to air missiles, new artillery pieces, new amphibious assault vehicles and new armored personnel carriers. He created an entirely new internal security force and outfitted them with firearms, equipment, armored vehicles and patrol cars. He spent billions of dollars on "upgrading" the Venezuelan military.

[Chestaan]

He also donates 90% of his $12,000 per month salary to charity.

He also defends assault.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but do you have a source? Genuinely just would like to read about this.

[Costa Fierro]

He also defends assault.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but do you have a source? Genuinely just would like to read about this.

I think it was about Mujica going on about how FIFA "went too far" in the punishment they gave to Luis Suarez.

[The balkens]

Favorite modern leader......

Barack obama, Voted for him twice. I like Bernie Sanders, seems like a cool dude. What about Bill De Blasio? Seems ok, Handed NY well enough it seems.

Hillary Clinton, i'd be fine with her if she ran for president. Better then anything that the GOP has to offer. Seriously, i'd rather have explosive diarrhea for the rest of my life then Rand Paul becoming president. Yes i know he'll probably serve 4 years and my whole "I would rather" doesnt make any since. But honestly, given the choice, which would you rather have?

[Republic of Coldwater]

1) Ron Paul- Brought Libertarianism, last seen from Barry Goldwater decades ago back into the spotlight, and also brought many interesting ideas and Constitutionalism into the subject. He also founded the Tea Party and was able to mobilize Social Liberals to PaleoConservatives, which is really hard to see today.

2) I don't know if this counts but- The Ludwig Von Mises Institute- The Von Mises Institute is home to many people who spread Libertarianism, Free Market Thought and the truth about the CSA, which I of course, really like.

[Estado Nacional]

1) Ron Paul- Brought Libertarianism, last seen from Barry Goldwater decades ago back into the spotlight, and also brought many interesting ideas and Constitutionalism into the subject. He also founded the Tea Party and was able to mobilize Social Liberals to PaleoConservatives, which is really hard to see today.

2) I don't know if this counts but- The Ludwig Von Mises Institute- The Von Mises Institute is home to many people who spread Libertarianism, Free Market Thought and the truth about the CSA, which I of course, really like.

You're out of your mind if you think Ron Paul is a libertarian, he's a paleocon. Gary Johnson is an actual libertarian.

[Ardoki]

I'm just going to ignore any more bigoted and offensive, incorrect opinions.

[Estado Nacional]

I'm just going to ignore any more bigoted and offensive, incorrect opinions.

Now, that's a good boy.

[Costa Fierro]

I'm just going to ignore any more bigoted and offensive, incorrect opinions.

So what is bigoted and offensive about pointing out facts? Venezuela is one of the most dangerous countries in the world. 24,000 murders a year. That's more people in one year than civilians killed in Afghanistan in ten.

As for the health system, well, we all know how it's coping.

Oh, but it's Colombia's fault? Nope. Murders in Colombia are at their lowest rate in ten years. That's not to say that it is a paradise. Colombia is still a very dangerous country. But you know what? Things are improving. Medellin used to be one of the most violent cities in the world? And guess what? Murders have dropped by 80%.

[Laerod]

He also defends assault.

I'm not saying I don't believe you, but do you have a source? Genuinely just would like to read about this.

He gave Suarez a hero's welcome after the latter got sanctioned for undeniably biting Chiellini.

[Republic of Coldwater]

1) Ron Paul- Brought Libertarianism, last seen from Barry Goldwater decades ago back into the spotlight, and also brought many interesting ideas and Constitutionalism into the subject. He also founded the Tea Party and was able to mobilize Social Liberals to PaleoConservatives, which is really hard to see today.

2) I don't know if this counts but- The Ludwig Von Mises Institute- The Von Mises Institute is home to many people who spread Libertarianism, Free Market Thought and the truth about the CSA, which I of course, really like.

You're out of your mind if you think Ron Paul is a libertarian, he's a paleocon. Gary Johnson is an actual libertarian.

You mean he doesn't support free markets, legalizing marijuana, cutting back foreign interventions and ending unwarranted wiretapping?

That sounds quite Libertarian to me.

[Calimera II]

Hugo Chavez.

He's dead. And one of the primary reasons why Venezuela is in the crapper.

Mmm. The US is the other, and maybe even bigger, reason.

I don't see how massively reducing poverty and crime is bad.

Reducing poverty is one thing.

Reducing poverty from 50,0% to 31,9% is a really big thing. I think you forgot the failed 2002 Coup that was backed by the United States of America and Henrique Capriles. Thanks to that disastrous coup of the opposition millions of Venezuelans were plunged into poverty: 61,1%. I bet you are not aware of the fact that Chavez, back then, implemented pro-market reforms.

Crime? No. Crime increased under Chavez. Venezuela is now one of the most violent countries in the world, with Caracas one of the most violent cities.

It isn't that simple. Venezuela borders Colombia, and Colombia has some of the most violent cartels in the world. Some of those cartels crossed the border and settled in Venezuela. Moreover, the opposition's province (Miranda) is the most insecure of the country.

There's something seriously wrong when you country has 19,000 murders every year. It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

You are simplifying things waaaay to much. And Colombia, Guatemala and lots of other countries in the northern part of South America are even more dangerous.

It's got to the stage where the government hasn't bothered keeping track of statistics.

That's not true.

Hugo also greatly expanded access to healthcare and education, which many did not have access to prior.

And you know what's happened to that healthcare system? It's collapsed.

The Healthcare system was absolute crap in the 90's when only the rich had access to it.
Here you have some important statistics to show you how much it improved during Chavez presidency:

Lack of government funding,

Nope. False. Every year more money goes to healthcare:

chronic supply and equipment shortages and rolling blackouts will kind of do that.

Absolutely true. But this has more to do with Maduro than with Chavez.

But that's OK. He can continue to lead Venezuela through Nicolas Maduro, his slightly unhinged successor who sleeps beside Hugo's tomb some nights and is convinced Hugo appears as a little bird that speaks to him.

This is a big lie. Maduro saw a little bird in a chapel, while praying. And he ''felt'' the presence of Chavez. He never said that Chavez talked to him whatsoever. Here you have the original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsNTljd4DsU

Most of Venezuela's largest companies are state owned, including petroleum ones.

That's not true. Only the Energy, Education and Healthcare sectors are mostly state owned. In 2010 the Public Sector only represented 30% of GDP, while the private sector represented 70%. The private sector continues to be the most important in Venezuela.
Source (opposition newspaper): http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/07/19/e ... -c_1976614

And you know what Chavez did with all that new money? He rebuilt the military. Venezuela has hundreds of new tanks, he's outfitted the army with thousands of new assault rifles. There are new fighter jets, new surface to air missiles, new artillery pieces, new amphibious assault vehicles and new armored personnel carriers. He created an entirely new internal security force and outfitted them with firearms, equipment, armored vehicles and patrol cars. He spent billions of dollars on "upgrading" the Venezuelan military.

Absolutely not true. In 2010 Venezuela's military expenses only represented a tiny 5,14% of the total amount of South America's.

I am not here to defend Chavez. I am not Chavista and I dislike Maduro. A lot of Western Media groups however, continuously lies about the situation in Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay.. Simply because those nations want to be sovereign nations. Here you have an interesting article ''US funds political groups in Venezuela despite ban'': http://townhall.com/news/politics-elect ... n-n1863589

1)José Mujica, no doubt about that.

I bet most of you don't know anything of the policies he implemented in Uruguay. Mujica's policies are very similar to those of Kirchner. I am sure that if you lived in Uruguay, that you would dislike him. Unless you like things/people like Chavez, South Americanism, Simon Bolivar, San Martin and La Patria Grande.

[Cyeal]

Vladdy.

[Murkwood]

Patrick Buchanan.

So, you are an anti-Semitic Lindbergh Isolationist? Because you support one.

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

1)José Mujica, no doubt about that.
2)Hassan Rouhani, if only he had more power.
3)Tsar Putin?

[Goddess Relief Office]

Xi Jinping

Zhu Rongji

Mandela

[The Seleucids (Ancient)]

Xi Jinping

Zhu Rongji

Mandela

Mandela is dead, besides that he has a good amount of blood on his hands.

[Krumbia]

Nicos Anastasiades, doing a pretty good job through a pretty shit time in Cyprus. And who knows? The north and south might even reach a settlement under him.

Natalie Bennett, she's definitely my favourite of the big political leaders in the UK at the moment.