Argentine top lawmaker admits having his savings in dollars “and I won’t sell them”
A top Argentine lawmaker came on stage (and lost his temper) when he had to explain why his savings are in dollars after the government of President Cristina Fernandez, including him personally, launched not only strong restriction policies on dollar purchases, but told the population to forget about dollars and start thinking in pesos.
“I save in dollars because I feel like it”, said Argentine Senator, former Cabinet chief and the most vocal supporter of the current government restriction to purchase US dollars.
Hypocrisy has turned once again into the trending topic of the Argentine political agenda after Senator Fernández contradictory comments came along in a moment in which many high-ranked officials including Cabinet Chief Juan Manuel Abal Medina emphasized their support to the government’s latest measures to avoid the access to dollars, and blasted the “Argentine obsessive-compulsive mania of thinking in dollars”.
During early Thursday radio interviews Senator Fernández responded categorically to the journalists who asked him why he had chosen to save in dollars as it is stated in his last affidavit issued to the AFIP tax revenue agency.
“Why do you care? That’s none of your business. Back then dollars purchases were open and I bought them legally.”
Asked once again why he did pick dollars over Pesos, and if he would sell his dollars to collect Pesos as he’s been recommending, the Senator exploded:
“First of all, I bought dollars because I felt like it. Didn’t you listen what I just said? It’s my money and my right to do whatever I want with my money”.
“And second of all, please do not ask me to do things that only a stupid person would do. I’m not stupid. I’m just a regular guy who made some money. I will neither sell my dollars at the official exchange rate nor at the black market price. Leave them [dollars] where they are as they are well kept.”
The very same Senator, warned two days ago that Argentina “should forget about the dollar and better start thinking in Pesos”, after explaining that “only 11% of the population have their savings in dollars. Plus, the dollar is only printed in the US: we don’t have the green-maker.”
Likewise, Senator Fernández had warned that dollars “should be preserved for things that really matter in times in which the country is growing, like imports of key products needed for the manufacturing of some other locally manufactured products.”
To conclude the contradictory and incoherent speech, the former Cabinet Chief bashed those “who are constantly promoting to save in dollars”, and concluded, “Saving in dollars is not a good way to keep personal savings.”
According to Senator Fernandez affidavit to AFIP, he holds 31.4% of his financial assets in US dollars (96.000). Likewise Interior minister Florencio Randazzo, has 22.20% in dollars, (8.000); Vice president Amado Boudou declared 582.400 dollars which represents 93% of assets; Alicia Kirchner, sister in law of President Cristina Fernandez, 64.000 dollars, or 65.98% of assets; Foreign minister Hector Timerman declared holdings of 1.28 million dollars equivalent to 89.34% and Julio De Vido, the Federal Planning minister, 220.240 dollars which represent 63.70% of his financial assets.
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“And second of all, please do not ask me to do things that only a stupid person would do. I’m not stupid. I’m just a regular guy who made some money. I will neither sell my dollars at the official exchange rate nor at the black market price. Leave them [dollars] where they are as they are well kept.”
So he wants the rest of the country to think pesos or as he would probably call them “the stupid people” while he him self thinks in dollars.
I really like this bit.
“First of all, I bought dollars because I felt like it. Didn’t you listen what I just said? It’s my money and my right to do whatever I want with my money”.
“And second of all, please do not ask me to do things that only a stupid person would do. I’m not stupid. I’m just a regular guy who made some money. I will neither sell my dollars at the official exchange rate nor at the black market price. Leave them [dollars] where they are as they are well kept.”
He can't even come up with a convincing lie as to why he has dollars. It because he 'felt like it'.
Senator Fernandez, maybe all Argentinians want to buy dollars because thy feel like it too. Maybe they also believe it's their money to do with as they please, and also feel that the government should but out.
And this statement truly shows his contempt for the Argentine people when asked why he doesn't follow his own advice and change the dollars to pesos, 'please do not ask me to do things that only a stupid person would do. I’m not stupid.'
He's not stupid but he obviously believes that the Argentinian people are, doesn't he?
The whole Argentine government and Senate is full of hypocrites and thieves, just like Senator Fernandez. Their philosophy is 'do as we say, not as we do.'
And this is why absolutely nobody outside of SA trusts anything the Argentine government says.
You know I used to think British politicians were bad but these folk are bad on a whole different scale, with CFK being the worst offender by far although Timmerman is not far behind with his lies about the British military and history.
Check out this google map with the Arg. Peso to US$ comparison in neighboring countries.
www.lanacion.com.ar/1477985-el-peso-argentino-se-devaluo-hasta-30-en-los-paises-limitrofes-durante-mayo
By this does he mean “don't ask me to save in pesos, only a stupid person would save in pesos”...
What is “ minimum wage ” and its tax rate in Chile ?
Seems the interior minister has some catching up to do, he hasn't squirreled away nearly enough to escape yet.
I think the point is that no, he doesn't have to give them back/turn them in pesos but he is telling everyone to do one thing whilst doing something completely different himself. It also happens that, when devaluation happens, his savings in US$ will be worth considerably more. I think you'd probably agree that this seems to be a little hypocritical
This is getting set up to be a huge and terrible crash, and finally people are realizing it, farmers strike, street demonstrations against corruption and insecurity( peaceful for now), union thugs massing, bus fares doubling next month, farm taxes going up ( up to 600% in some cases) BA senators paid 150K per vote to pass it!
It is going downhill faster than I thought it would 1 massive black out in BA could make it all come apart.
Brr
Provinces are out of cash now it is not going to get any better now they are in recession. Inflation in the provinces is 36%! And that will accelerate as imports are restricted and the new taxes and utility rates come into full force.
Nestor broke with Int'l banks, IMF, CFK has ruined her relations with EU & USA no one is going to give them any $ to get out of this mess. I think they want the world to see what happens when you don't adhere to contracts and respect Int'l laws and customs.
It may be 1 blackout in BA away from chaos.
Jun 01st, 2012 - 10:56 am
I think “hypocritical” is rather “light” in this case, “totally unethical” would be much nearer the truth. That this person should be representing thousands of people in the Senate is nothing short of horrorific. He is quite simply calling ALL Argentines STUPID. He and the rest of Kretin's troupe of performing fleas will be getting ready to fly the coupe as the “Cazerolazos” begin to take to the streets. God willing this really is the beginning of the end.
Hope they dont begi talking about submarines, kelpers etc nowadays. nobody is interested on that.
Reina K and his prince Maximo (thats why he doesnt work), had made a devaluation where the pesos doesnt have the same value than before. They have put the hand in the pockets of argentines one more time, and we are suffering once more the consecuencies. Its not not buying dollars the problem,
its that pesos dont have value thinking in our inflation and prices following the blue. A blue market they have created and is inevitable.
If these wasnt enough, it is said in provincial congress of BA, there was some kind of callings (remember that thanks K you can earn the calls you dont make, sth that worries so much argentines) sorrounding corruption, sth strange here.
Equally it was voted by decree just in case.
With these polititians take your own conclusions.
and not what he does .
Is anybody asking where the Tinman got US$1.28 million? I didn't think journalists got paid that much!
You've got to hand it to Anibal - this is a great story to end the week on. He doesn't even try to hide his contempt for your average Argentine citizen......and yet he remains in post. You've gotta laugh.
I like the picture at the top of this article. Its got that “how dare you question me, I answer to no one” outrage look about it.
Hes got the Alistair Campbell thing going on. These type of people are utterly despicable.
We think the Politics of Cameron and Blair is bad enough but Argentine politics really takes the biscuit.
All of them really should be in jail.
Malen! are you well?
“Hope they dont begi talking about submarines, kelpers etc nowadays. nobody is interested on that. ”
First time I have seen a sensible post from you and I have been here 13 months.
Hurts when the people you have been defending these turds over the Falklands (there are no Malvinas), turn round and screw you over, doesn't it.
AND, how many times have the brits, Yankeeboy and other westerners, been saying that this is going to happen?
Well, guess what? All our other prophesies are about to come true as well. The writing is on the wall well and truly now.
It gives me no personal satisfaction at all to see this: I am just dismayed that the Mad Bitch of Argentina is still in power, why does someone just not shoot her?
A few days ago Toby said nobody believes my posts since his are more eloquent and insightful he gets the prize for most loved poster. I conceded and offered another prize of being the smartest pig in the poke.
Where oh where is Axel? I wonder if he is on the way to the Bolivian border to cash in his pesos with the rest of the country?
Jun 01st, 2012 - 02:48 pm
It's not malen's first sensible post, she actually has posted sense before but obscured it due to rather dodgy English. But in this case she has excelled herself and written the truth. Fernández has simply called ALL Argentines “STUPID” because they can't buy dollars like he did!!!!
I can't deny his right to put his savings in whatever currency he wishes to, that is what freedom of choice, or self-determination is all about, but as a Senator to crow about how clever he is compared to his constituents, smacks of an arrogance seldom seen outside cheap soap operas.
He is a despicable person, just as the Kirchnerist rabble are despicable.
I imagine Kretina's next “nac y pop” call will be for “Helicópteros para tod@s”.
If Yankeeboy and you have economic poderes providenciales o futurologicos of our country, you can make a lot of money here....in pesos.
And respect our Queen, she deserves to end 2015 and get away from a big door ....we should try to lock it well then, so she will never come back :))))
No she'll join Nestor in Venezuela!!!!
Welcome back. As an average man in the street here in Argentina I feel absolutely furious at this nasty little man, who is supposed to represent thousands of my compatriots in the Senate, tell us in no uncertain terms that we are all STUPID because we can't buy dollars like he did.
I just hope that other men and women in the street, especially in Buenos Aires, will show this despicable Government just how little they believe in it.
I say cacerolas para tod@s.
Kretina will call for ”Helicópteros para tod@s.
tn.com.ar/sociedad/00097995/cacerolazo-contra-la-corrupcion-los-videos-de-la-gente
All is well All is well...
Where is THINK and Axel...hellloooo???
You should understand that the- Think- is one of the names from A MISSION MEMBERS ( !) who having positions keeping away from any open discussions..by using many names here..The discussion is not his job.!
His English is well American English not British, his Spanish not bad !
and knows few other languages.(not Argentine) but i cant say that his giving messages is successful..made him instructed with “ soft distruction ”.
Where's our highly intelligent, young multi-lingual Argentine upholder of all things just? I'd like to know what he thinks. I guess being a youngster he's preparing for a wild weekend of doing whatever it is that the young and upwardly mobile in Argentina do on a weekend.
Here is one of the the names of -- Think --.....chameleon...!
Yes, there is a way to make Arg Pesos out of this situation - but what on earth would / could I do with them?
I do like your comment about shutting the big door though! :o)
He is an Intelligence Member ,they can well know few languages.
I know almost all of ethnic groups' features,
I am certain that he is Armenian OR impersonates an Armenian by using the -- Think -- name.
Where all the rich are they say....
wanting their dollars they say....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGEpcL88AA4
When did Boca move to the North? I'm sure there are tonnes of millionaires in Boca
Cristina's time is coming to a close
I mean if you say to people think in pesos, but you have in your count dollars( like all politicians), I would say you: no. Because you still think pesos are the best investment, this man has said he will sell them when he thinks he will gain money.
And here they rob you and say alegría, alegría, because they are happy. When people of your UK country does the same, they are serious. Thats the difference.
Saludos a los pensionatas edad. (Coutesy of Google translate.)
Do you think there will be any backlash from this story. Falkland Islands aside. I am astounded that any people, would put up with this kind of double standards. Latin Americans, I am being stereotypical now, have a reputation of being hot blooded, I just comprehend why they would put up with this and other breaches of their democratic freedoms.
Jun 01st, 2012 - 09:48 pm
I think the backlash has started. The answer to this crook will be escalating “cacerolazos”. That is the people taking to the streets and beating on cooking pans.
This is what brought down the De la Rua administration in 2001.
I sincerely hope that this will be the beginning of the end of the Kirchner robber band.
I sincerely hope so too. Fed up with all this crap between our two countries.
Regarding the hit blooded part.... When my late mother was still around we use to spend some time in Buenos Aires and there info to meet two types of locals... The nice and hardworking ones who somehow did not have any issues with anything foreign to the country, furthermore , they loved interacting with anyone
The other kind are the classic Boca Juniors fan (obscure /grasa/villero) who has no brains and generally talks bad, is very loud, (when they sing their chin move to one side so they can sound more villero). Most of these are cowards.
Overall my experience then and when I returned there for a few years, was good. Many Argentineans, Australians and Americans( I was the only American I must say) used to hang out at an Irish pub called te Kilkenny . No fights , no stupid patriotism . All cool.
I honestly hope for the best for all of you. Because when things go eel nobody cares about arguing...
Perhaps a better word would have been passionate, hot blooded gives an impression of violence, which is certainly not my opinion of Latams, I apologise if the posting conveyed that impression.
Is that sarcasm I detect? Well I do respect her, I do see her as a beautiful Queen =) And why lock the door with term limits, if she's unpopular she'll not be re-elected? Anyway as things stand she can run again in 2019 anyway =)
#32 “CFKC will not last until the end of her official term” Keep wishing =)
#34 “Her ego is too big for suicide despite her dramatics”
More importantly there's no reason why anyone in her position would top themself, that its even being discussed her (along with your equally fanciful pop psychology) shows how out of touch this blog is
#35 “No she'll join Nestor in Venezuela!!!!”
Just when I thought it couldn't get any weirder! You ARE joking, right??
Well, Nestors New Mausoleum has a door 11M high (36 ft) so they wouldn't be able to get his head through it - so where else would have him?
Still blathering about getting a leg over The Mad Bitch I see. Despicable person.
Devaluation..Hyperinflation...Blackouts...Dangerous Streets...a littel blood in the protests and viola she is on a helicopter out of Casa Rosada everyone has seen the end to this nightmare they are just waiting for it to happen.
Capitalism is a failedeconomic system for Argentina, as is full blown communism (never implemented).
Capitalism does not work in countries the size of Argentina, and the country is too big for microstate socialism or offshore banking capitalism/tourism economy.
Thus, better be poor but free. Isolationism now!
Where? Unless you mean my sarcastic REPLY to the “are you looking for a shag?” comment on the repsol thread, in which case are you calling Elaine a Mad Bitch?!
You know very well who The Mad Bitch of Argentina is, don't you.
ElaineB would certainly know who I was referring to with your name in the same sentence.
BTW have you seen the rubber doll with her mouth open in the picture of her bollocking the two faced Senator who hoards US$ and thinks everyone else in Argentina is stupid, except for him? I can imagine you wetting yourself at that one!
LOL
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