Bolivia seizing international oil company assets

They do what the laws say they can do. You may disagree with the law, but I am sure that the Bolivian government is following their laws (they don't have to obey to any American laws if you thought that!). But then again, only the neo cons way of governing is good enough. The Spanish conquerors stole. They stole gold and silver from the countries they invaded and built up their own fortune with it. If you've ever been to Palacio Real in Madrid you would know how much of that that is stolen! They are the ones stealing. Not the government who simply wants to take back what belongs to the country.

I know there's a law here somewhere about illegal aliens being illegal. You may disagree with the law, but...

The only thing I can do as a citizen if I disagree with the law, is to try to change it one way or the other. Just like the people of Bolivia did in their election. They felt that the natural resources belonged to the country and that the profit made from it should stay in the country. IMO they chose the right thing, especially taking into account what they come from!

should belong to me! Does that entitle me to it?

Enough. Socialism is based on theft, pure and simple. They are welcome to it, though it will do them no good. Take a look around the world. How well are the socialist/communist countries doing?

I am not so sure that we share the answer for the question "democracy for whom?" And I'm fine with that. Have a good one now.

Did I leave out anyone else? Anyone else that you admire so much? We all know you despise everything this country stands for, but the question is, if you truly and honestly believe theirs to be a better way of life than here, why are you still here?

Hitler too though he'll never admit they are all cut from the same cloth.

Probably a hopeless case.

"Nationalizing" is stealing. No way around that. Sorry.

As usual.

control of their own natural resources. Shame on the Bolivian people!
Well said. Its time some countries woke to the fact that they are only being plundered by rich companies from the so called superpowers

Ask China, Russia, Cuba, Ethiopia, etc. how well commnism has worked for them. Congratulations, Bolivia; you've learned how to march backwards.

The "people" will not benefit from this one bt.

what they come from and if they want to continue like that? Oh, that's already been done and they wanted another direction. A direction that placed the peasants first. The majority of the landless population is just that peasants and on top of that native which doesn't make things easier for them in a country where German heritage usually mean rich and having the house cleaned by the women in the polleras. These women aren't even ALLOWED to sit by the same table as the land owners and there are services such as people with type writers helping the illiterate population to write a letter. Instead of putting them in school... Does it make sense to you? 70% of the land is owned by 10% of the population. Women are standing in big groups on the streets of the main cities waiting for white men in big jeeps to pick them up to work for them. But they can also get fired at any time. No rights and the only thing they get is to live in a cold basement where the great dobbermans sleep! They even have to ask for permission to leave the house on the weekends to meet with their family! That's the direction Bolivia took before. Time for a new one? I think the population has spoken. Enough humiliation from the upper classes and the white minority. And remember, it's not these people or the big corporations that are going to help the landless and segregated population. They couldn't care less about them. Otherwise it would have bene done a long time ago...

Compare to Alberta Canada. Capitalism is better for EVERYONE.

seems like they've chosen the hard way.

Good luck.

Capitalism lead to in the case of Bolivia. Do you think people felt happy with that? Or do you think it was most likely to see the people fed up and ready for a change?

... but it could lead them out of it. This won't. But don't learn from history. That's OK.

What economic system has prevailed in Bolivia? Or do you think that people are so lazy that they don't give a rat's behind if they have to slave if they even can find a job. How ignorant can one get if you think that the people themselves have created their situation.

... but they are responsible for electing the promise of bread and circuses they will never see. How's that middle class doing in Venezuela these days?

"They haven't necessarily created it but they are responsible for electing the promise of bread and circuses they will never see." But this is not what have created the poverty that the country has suffered from for decades and even more. What economic system was it that caused it?

The expropriation of resources in the 50's didn't work. If they think it will work this time, they are sadly mistaken. It is difficult for any economy to prosper in unrest. Nobody is going to invest in a country that threatens to take away that investment. Why don't you go help them out in this great revolution?

from the comfort of an American home with a nice TV, cable, all the appliances, clean clothes, Starbucks nearby, etc.

Up against the wall, capitalist pig! Eat the rich!

Bait is soooo ignored. Completely out of context.

and it was right on.

Three strikes; you're out.

Enough. A hopeless case.

How about NOT STEALING as a national policy?

of the Bolivian constitution the government has the right to expropriate property IF the public can benefit from such measures. They'd prefer to negotiate it with the companies however.
The article also states that ''private property is guaranteed by the government of Bolivia if it does not cause any conflicts with the public interest.'' In its second part it says that the ''expropriation will only take place if the company does not comply with the social functions''.


In any case, it is Bolivian law that prevails in Bolivia whether you or anyone else, from the White House all the way to California and CNet like it or not.

Don't blame us like you do for Mexico when their system fails.

but if the USA and other financially countries in the world is going to act counter productive and use their financial strength to force an economic system upon the poor countries, then I think it is wrong! Only respecting the people who elected Morales in democratic elections (one of the reasons he won such an overwhelmingly victory was precisely because he promised that the natural resources should belong to the country), do we show our will to really be a helpful force without imperialist interest. Otherwise we will be seen as the big Satan in North by these people.