MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Venezuelan general calls on forces to rise against Maduro, controlled by the Cuban “communist dictatorship”
A Venezuelan general called on the country's armed forces on Sunday to rise up against President Nicolas Maduro, who has relied on the backing of the military to hold on to power despite an economic collapse. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesControlled by Cuba, huh? That's a new one. Would this general prefer them to be controlled by a more northerly country?
May 13th, 2019 - 02:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In Latin America, Cuba is code for: “We have to throw out this government.”
May 13th, 2019 - 04:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Conversely, having a Latin American country's military trained by the US on methods to make prisoners spill the beans is “just the way things are.”
Obviously, after two coup attempts, the US are now foaming at the mouth and wondering what the hell is going on with Venezuela. They are used to do what they want by crushing anyone standing on the way, especially after virtually strangling the country's economy just like they did with Cuba decades ago.
Donald is going to throw a tantrum.
@Enrique Massot
May 14th, 2019 - 07:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0REF: Donald is going to throw a tantrum.
Due to the strong presence of Russia, China [silent], Cuba and who knows/cares who else in Venezuela; The Duck must feel like a eunuch biting its knuckles!
EM
May 14th, 2019 - 03:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Cuba's enormous (communist) infuence on Maduro is undeniable...whether you want to admit it, or not.....VZ's military is full of Cuban “advisors”, same as their 'medics' program is also used to try to indoctrinate Venezuelans to try to improve Maduro's image...exactly how they acted in Brazil, under Dilma.
But not to worry, while you Reekie, defend Maduro - despite the havoc he has created in his own country - he has nothing to fear.
Reekie, tell me, just how many Cubans (and Venezuelans) have you 'met' and 'talked to' over the last decade ??
REF: Venezuelan general calls to rise against the Cuban “communist dictatorship”
May 15th, 2019 - 02:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They've to fear the strong presence of Russia+China besides Cuba! Even the USA, besides being bellicose - like Brazil - has indulged only in “Showing Off” of Indomitable Force by hiding the tails in between their hind-legs!
@JB
May 15th, 2019 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Influence is not the same as control. The two countries are close ideologically and don't have many other allies left. But if being close to Cuba is reason for invasion, why don't the Americans invade Cuba itself?
PS. The BBC have an article on the Cuban doctors that might interest you:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48214513
@DemonTree
May 15th, 2019 - 08:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: BBC: “thousands of its doctors work in healthcare missions around the world, earning the country billions”:
I KNEW that a hell of a lot of money CAN be made by exporting talented labor! And THAT's why I foresaw that Brazil is on a verge of becoming the Larget Exporter of Cheap Manual Labor to many countries around the world!
@DT
May 15th, 2019 - 08:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Of course, it is not.....however, in VZ I'd say that the influence - as far as “advising” goes, is far closer to controlling....than anything else.
Their ideological closeness says everything.
Cuba has a ridiculous government that while kept in check, represents no threat to anyone....VZ also has a ridiculous government, but the country is a totally different cup of tea..
Re the link on Cuba's doctors, “ some of the doctors themselves say conditions can be nightmarish - controlled by minders, subject to a curfew and posted to extremely dangerous places, James Badcock reports”.....reflects exactly what he heard here.....they are being 'used“, financially and politically, and controlled from Cuba. The program is far from one that simply wants to help other countries' health services...the doctor's families ”back home” (Cuba) are virtual hostages to guarantee that the doctors do as they are ordered.
“in VZ I'd say that the influence - as far as “advising” goes, is far closer to controlling....than anything else”
May 15th, 2019 - 09:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Although it was well known they were allies, I never heard anyone say so before the US government decided to try and overthrow Maduro.
Re Cuban doctors, you need to remember they only interviewed those who 'defected', so it's reasonable to assume they had worse experiences than average. But in many ways Cuba is exploiting them, taking the majority of their salaries and restricting their freedom. The quotas/fake statistics on patients treated are also troubling; injecting politics into medicine like that is bound to lead to worse care.
@DemonTree
May 16th, 2019 - 03:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: “injecting politics into medicine like that is bound to lead to worse care”:
Yes but makes it such an impressive window-dressing!
DT
May 16th, 2019 - 05:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Although it was well known they were allies, I never heard anyone say so before the US government decided to try and overthrow Maduro”.
Since Chavismo took contol of VZ, its proximilty with Cuba is notorious. The presence of Cuban military advisors in VZ has only become an issue now, that Maduro is using them to strengthen the repression against the population.
Soon after Chavez regained control of VZ after the 2012 coup had ousted him, he became closer to the Castros, well-experienced in repression. When he died in 2013, and the madman took over, VZ 'n Cuba became even closer...Cuba depended on VZn oil, and had every interest that Chavismo continue. When Fidel kicked the bucket in 2016, Raul carried on with the same policy, and that's MOL when Cuban generals (Abelardo Colomé, Ramiro Menéndez, 'n others), known for their services in “other” countries (Yemen, Angola) and active in military intelligence (having founded Cuba's secret police), went to VZ, to “advise” Maduro.
But only in the last 2 or 3 years, has the true situation of VZ become painfully clear...'n what keeps Maduro in power is the military, advised by the Cubans.....
Even the OEA (Organization of American States) Secretary General, Luis Almagro has confirmed the presence of the Cuban military in VZ.
Re the Cuban doctors, many patients who were treated by them confirmed the doctors' political agenda (not saying the doctors liked it), and this was later confirmed by all those doctors who chose to remain, despite probable retaliation against their families in Cuba.....and IF the program was the marvel is was said to be, why would any doctors defect at all ? And I'm pretty sure that all Cuban doctors, while here, were treated the same....other than those, perhaps, who had the guts to complain.
It's a well´known fact that the program was secretly negotiated between Dilma and Cuba in 2013....why the secrecy ? just a rhetorical question, as NOW, everyone knows.
“The presence of Cuban military advisors in VZ has only become an issue now, that Maduro is using them to strengthen the repression against the population.”
May 16th, 2019 - 10:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They're hardly necessary when the Vz army is so loyal to Maduro. Guaido's attempt at rebellion was a damp squib, hardly any of them defected.
“IF the program was the marvel is was said to be, why would any doctors defect at all ?”
They can earn a hell of a lot more money, working abroad. But probably most don't dare because their families are still in Cuba, and I daresay some believe in the regime - they're brought up with it, after all.
“I'm pretty sure that all Cuban doctors, while here, were treated the same....other than those, perhaps, who had the guts to complain.”
Well, exactly. But they can be assigned to more or less remote places, depending on the people in charge, which might be due to them complaining or the handlers wanting something from the.
DT
May 17th, 2019 - 06:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The top brass is loyal to Maduro....either out of “conviction” because they are being very well “rewarded” (like Diosdado Cabello), or out of fear (Padrino López ?)...who dare not conspire against him, knowing they are very likely being monitored....why d'you think the Cuban Generals who went to Cuba are experts in intelligence ? they are an issue now because their presence can't be denied.
Quite a few in the lower ranks have changed sides.
Re doctors “They can earn a hell of a lot more money, working abroad”.....Yes, of course, as the Cuban govt wouldn't help itself to most of it...and provided, as in the case of Brazil ('n I suspect in most other countries), they revalidated their diplomas (which caused Cuba to pull them out when they realized B would demand revalidation for the program to continue) ...and depending on whether they were willing to sacrifice their families.
The doctors were assigned to the (mainly) remote locations where they were needed...by the Brazilian authorities. If I understood correctly, don't think their “handlers” (Cubans) had any influence over that, and besides, earning a very small fraction of what Brazil paid to Cuba, doubt there was much room for “wanting” something from them....other than loyalty to the regime (Cuba's and Dilma's).
“The top brass is loyal to Maduro....either out of “conviction” because they are being very well “rewarded”, or out of fear”
May 17th, 2019 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Probably. It's funny, none of the other left-wing leaders in LatAm managed to get the army on their side, as far as I know.
Re doctors, in other countries medical students have to take out big loans to pay for their studies. In Cube the training is 'free', but they pay for it by working cheaply for the government, or doing a mission and giving up most their salary.
If they defect, then as well as earning more, they get to live in a richer, safer country, instead of working in remote, dangerous areas where other doctors don't want to go. Seems like quite an inducement; perhaps the need to revalidate their diplomas puts some off.
“doubt there was much room for “wanting” something from them”
Not money. I was talking about this:
“I was unfortunate in that the mission co-ordinator took a shine to me, and I didn't agree to his repulsive insinuations. He had me sent away to a series of out-of-the-way locations in rural areas.”
Plus the woman who was pushed to be 'friendly' with the big shot drug trafficker. I'm sure even in the areas they served, there are better and worse postings. And the handlers could always threaten to report them to the regime for made-up infractions. They must have a lot of power.
@DT
May 17th, 2019 - 10:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0The reason Maduro managed this 'feat' is probably because he took over from Chavez, who was military...so the structure was already there, all Maduro had to do was to grease and maintain it.
So the Cuban doctors didn't exactly get their education for free, did they ?.....just a different form of payment.
If they defect, they as individuals might benefit financially, BUT, what about their families ?
The remote areas in Brazil did not pose any 'danger' to them....the reason the Brazilian doctors don't want to go to these remote areas is because they aren't attracted to the boondocks...they prefer the urban areas, that they are used to, and wihich have better infrasructure....that's all.
IF their studies are in fact equivalent to that in other countries, what's the problem with revalidating (diplomas) ?.....is the same medical problem different in different countries ?
Anyway, when the Cuban doctor program was announced by Dilma, the Federal Council of Medicine demanded, according to the Law, that they be tested....Dilma refused. Why ?
As to the mission coordinator trying take advantage of his position, this is nothing new....in a way, they had the power of life 'n death over them, to threaten their families back home ....and forcing the issue with local authorities who, no doubt , would probably listen to their recommendations. In these cases, Cuban against Cuban, but nevertheless disgusting....do you think that the female doctors would have the guts to denounce the coordinator ? not likely, and that's what the latter counted on.
As to better or worst postings, if the program was not run like a dictatorship, it would've simply been the luck of the draw.
RE Chavez and Maduro: probably.
May 18th, 2019 - 03:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“So the Cuban doctors didn't exactly get their education for free, did they ?”
Exactly. I do think if the state pays to educate eg doctors or teachers, it's reasonable to insist they work in that country for a certain length of time, or else pay back their training costs. But forcing people to work in dangerous areas, and using their families to blackmail them is unethical.
And by dangerous I was thinking of the remote areas in Vz, as mentioned in the article. Brazil also has a lot of crime, but maybe it's concentrated in cities? Anyway, can see it would be hard to get doctors to work in remote areas; is there any alternative besides paying them more than the country can afford?
”what's the problem with revalidating (diplomas)“
You think the Cuban doctors are not up to scratch, which may be true. But besides that, programs are different in different countries, and anyway, would you want to take your university exams again after several years working, even in the same field? It would take quite some learning and revision to be confident of passing, I reckon.
”As to the mission coordinator trying take advantage of his position, this is nothing new”
Sadly, it's not. Cuba is a dictatorship, so not surprising the program was run that way, and not surprising it lead to abuse of power. In such situations the worst people, those best at manipulation and back-stabbing, too often come out on top.
@DemonTree
May 18th, 2019 - 05:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: “those best at manipulation and back-stabbing, too often come out on top”:
This is a Universal Fact - like gravity! Better get used to it!
DT
May 18th, 2019 - 10:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don’t it's reasonable for (Federal, State) university grads to pay back the State for their studies - especially in a communist country, where the “people” come first (do they ?) ‘n the State is supposed to “provide for all” – if you do, then you don't believe in the right to scholarships, for those whose grades would entitle them ...usually the best students, in a competitive society.. (even though here, the overall level has dropped).
But yes, I think the philosophy behind the Cuban doctor program, in that they are slaves, is unethical.
No Cubans were sent to dangerous places here....at least no more dangerous than for an average citizen. In VZ, it is only dangerous because its govt has embraced a shitty system like Cuba did.
It’s not so much a matter of “paying them more than the country can afford”, because I reckon it’s a matter of supply ‘n demand. But the country definitely should prioritize professions like Medicine, teaching ...instead of some “categories” of civil servants.
There are probably quite a few Brzln doctors who don't earn very much...depends on the school they graduated from, whether they got in through “quotas” (pushed thru the system because the system, under no circumstances, can be seen as “failing”), on ambition, on competence...and probably aren't earning even the minimum offered (was R$ 11,000 +), nevertheless, most prefer the cities.
“…not up to scratch”…Medicine is one of the few professions where incompetence can have serious consequences, so I think revalidation is imperative. How’d you like to be treated by a doctor who'd just 'scraped' through university, or was not familiar with all the latest medical information /treatments ? If they were serious, a few months studying to acquaint themselves with the possible differences in the systems, would do the trick.
Brazilians who study medicine abroad have to comply….why not the others ?
“sadly, it's not..., too often come out on top”. Have to agree 100%.
“the State is supposed to “provide for all””
May 19th, 2019 - 12:51 am - Link - Report abuse 0The state doesn't provide for anyone, society does through our taxes. If tax payers pay someone's training costs, then it's reasonable for them to expect something in return. As a society, we train doctors and teachers because we need those professions; if they don't stick around and work in them, it defeats the object. Scholarships aren't a right, they're a privilege.
Communist countries must also have that balance. It's 'from each according to his ability', as much as 'to each according to his needs'.
“No Cubans were sent to dangerous places here”
All of Brazil is a dangerous place IMO. But Vz is worse.
For those isolated places, supply of doctors willing to work there is far too low to meet demand. If they offered a high enough salary, no doubt some would be willing to change their mind. The Cubans went there because the pay was much higher than they could get at home, even with the government taking the majority, but Brazilian doctors would demand a lot more than they are making in cities.
“Medicine is one of the few professions where incompetence can have serious consequences, so I think revalidation is imperative.”
I agree it's necessary. Just giving a few reasons why it wouldn't be popular with the doctors themselves. And anyway, I *am* treated by doctors who aren't up to date on the latest info and treatments. They've never had to revalidate themselves, and with the internet it's easy to educate yourself to know more than the doctor about your own ailments.
DT
May 19th, 2019 - 08:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“ “the State is supposed to provide for all” ”....I was talking about ”a communist country, where the “people” come first (do they ?) ‘n the State is supposed to “provide for all” .
In other words, was referring specifically to Cuba...and its communist regime which, after the collection of taxes, is supposed to re-distribute them equally between all (no one rich, no one poor....isn't that what they preach ?)....if the individual - until recently - did not have the freedom to be an entrepreuner - he would obviously have needed to follow the orientation given by the State, and depend on it to “provide”. You know, the “balance” you were talking about abv ?
“If tax payers pay someone's training costs, then it's reasonable for them to expect something in return”.....
How about looking at scholarships as an incentive to do your hardest (studying), and to attract the best minds....and in return, become a “productive” citizen, paying taxes ?
“Scholarships aren't a right, they're a privilege”....they ARE a privilege, for those who earn the RIGHT....available to all.
Not that I necessarily agree with what I'm going to say now, but isn't it funny that you believe a scholarship-grade student should repay society for his studies, yet a recipient of the Bolsa família has no obligation whatsoever to society ? I know they are both on different scales, but the principle is the same.....whoever takes from society, must repay....usually in the form of taxes, proportional to what you take ?
Brazil has sufficient doctors, it's a matter of paying them “enough” to move...a bureaucratic decision....'n I know you're going to ask “what if there's no money” ? THAT IS one of the problems, in EVERYTHING PUBLIC, here.
The salary for the Brazilian doctors in the program, was R$ 11,865 ; the OPAS, thru which the Cubans came, paid them R$ 3,000, sent the difference to Cuba.
Sorry to hear your doctors are sub-standard....Luckily, mine are all pretty competent...'n expensive.
“In other words, was referring specifically to Cuba”
May 19th, 2019 - 09:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oh, right. I thought that was a little socialist of you. I don't know how it works in Cuba exactly, presume it's not fully communist because that's just impractical. Sounds like doctors get free training but then very low pay, unless they do the missions.
“they ARE a privilege, for those who earn the RIGHT....available to all.”
To all Brazilians, maybe. In England since 2009 students must pay their own fees, so it's just a fact that no one has the right to a scholarship. And here it's the left that wants to bring back free university, so it's odd to hear you arguing in favour of it. Must be a cultural difference.
”How about looking at scholarships as an incentive to do your hardest (studying), and to attract the best minds....and in return, become a “productive” citizen, paying taxes ?“
That's how it should be, but it relies on people's goodwill, which isn't always realistic.
”a scholarship-grade student should repay society for his studies, yet a recipient of the Bolsa família has no obligation whatsoever to society ?”
The BF recipient does have an obligation to society. They are supposed to make sure their kids are vaccinated and stay in school, as one of the reasons for the benefit is to produce a healthier and better educated next generation. If it achieves this, then the spending has benefited society, if not, the rules should be changed or better enforced. Similarly, people on the dole have an obligation to look for work, and attend any training courses they might be sent on. But to my mind it's not really an obligation to repay what you take, but rather that government spends money in order to benefit society, and should ensure that it does so. If they are spending money training doctors and too many move abroad, leaving you with a shortage, than the money is not achieving what was intended and they need to find new incentives.
Run out of space...
DT
May 20th, 2019 - 05:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Cuba's government is fully communist...but of late has eased up a bit, as its seeing the benefits of loosening control over its citizens economic activities.
The pay for any Cuban worker is low...and their doctors are not treated much better than the rest.
Ok, but that is the system here...and an ever-increasing number of students who take loans/get partial scholarships to go to private Universities, are not paying back...If in the UK there are no “free” universities, wouldn't that be restrictiong access to only those whose parents can afford the fees ? or to those who work their butts off to pay, while studying ?
Here, State Universities have always been free, attracting most of the best minds through a selection process. The system has its obvious benefits. If someone who goes through public University can't make ends meets ('n pay taxes) later on, there's something lacking in them..
The BF's counterpart, or oblogation to society, is largely ignored...reason why many sponge off it for years, I/O re-inserting themselves in the economy....Now, obviously that is much harder, but during the PT's “golden years” it didn't happen either. A few families obviously try, and succeed in leaving the BF program, but the majority doesn't. In theory it sounds very nice, but in practise, is different. And if the government clamps down on those who don't comply with the rules, the lefties come out of the wood work to complain...I've seen it many times....the resistance of left-wing parties to any attempt of rationalization.
Goverment's obligation is to take good care of taxpayers' money and use it sensibly, to benefit (only) society.....but that is not what we see here. You argue from the point of view of a citizen whose government is as close to “ideal” as they'll ever get (perhaps not close enough, but what is possible, comparatively speaking).
The Cuban doctos don't go, or “move” abroad because they're free to....they are sent, as part of controlled govt programs.
“Cuba's government is fully communist...but of late has eased up a bit, as its seeing the benefits of loosening control over its citizens economic activities.”
May 20th, 2019 - 10:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That's good, and possibly a better way to transition than what happened in Eastern Europe, if they continue the liberalisation.
Re universities in England, the government limits the fees they can charge, and gives loans to students, to be paid back once they graduate. There are also loans for living costs, and the average student now graduates with £50,000 worth of debt - vastly higher than what I ended up with under an earlier regime. The amount you pay back each month depends on how much you're earning, so different people end up paying different amounts for their studies, and after 30 years any remaining debt is wiped out. IMO it's a very stupid system and they should switch to a graduate tax.
Universities used to be free, and in Scotland they still are, but our government decided to vastly increase the number of graduates, and then they decided they couldn't afford to pay for them. Managing money really isn't their strong point.
“The BF's counterpart, or oblogation to society, is largely ignored”
Guess they don't want to piss off their voters. But another objective of the program was to reduce extreme poverty, and they don't really need the recipients to do anything special to achieve that, except spend the money on food and clothing rather than fags and booze.
“but that is not what we see here”
True. I'm talking about that is reasonable/fair, not necessarily what actually happens.
What I didn't have room for before, re GPs:
I think the problem is I live in a small town, it doesn't attract the most competent and ambitious doctors. Also, the NHS is seriously underfunded and understaffed, so after waiting at least a week for an appointment, you only get 10 minutes with the doctor before they push you out the door again. It sucks.
DT
May 21st, 2019 - 11:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“if they continue the liberalization...” and it's a damned big “IF”. The govt is not prepared to do anything that allows, or goes anywhere near, total independence of individuals, as in any western society.
Re the limiting of fees in the UK, lending for living costs etc, paying back over 30 years (then wiping out remaining debt), sounds nice, but by what you are saying, that option is becoming less atrractive. Perhaps scholarships should be handed out, through competitive criteria (the best students get them) and the rest go 'n do something they are good at. Perhaps in the UK, being a university graduate is far from a guarantee of success.
“Guess they don't want to piss off their voters”....exactly...so in the end, society pays the price for the lazy part because the politicians couldn't be bothered to enforce the laws they themselves passed...because it's convenient.
If by “reducing extreme poverty” you mean feeding them, OK...
You have to wait one week for an appointment ? you gotta be kidding me !!! ONE WEEK ??
Only joking, as one week is “wonderful”......here, people line up for hours (and if they are lucky) to mark a consult for, maybe 6 months, 1 year's time.....just last night, TV Globo added the latest developments to a report they made 3 months ago, of an elderly man who needed an operation to give him a prosthetic leg....after waiting in the queue for the operation for 12 years, yesterday he finally died of an infection in his leg....
Consider yourself “privileged”. That's what I was saying on other threads, (1000s of) people here die per year for lack of basic treatment because there is no money, due to corruption....but the politicians aren't blamed, or the people don't link the deaths to corruption because the politicians aren't seen as “pulling the trigger”...
“and it's a damned big IF”
May 22nd, 2019 - 02:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0True. Lots of countries have started to liberalise, and then become more authoritarian again. Perhaps some people just prefer conformity and being told what to do?
“Perhaps in the UK, being a university graduate is far from a guarantee of success.”
The higher the number of people with degrees, the less it makes you stand out from others. But many jobs start requiring them that previously didn't, because they can. So you need a degree just to get in the door, but still have to shine in other ways in order to get a job. The situation really isn't helping students at all. Scholarships for the best students sounds good from the selfish reason that (sorry, not wanting to sound arrogant, but...) it might have benefited me. I really can't see our government going for it, though. They'd give them to the most 'deprived' students if anyone.
“If by “reducing extreme poverty” you mean feeding them”
Extreme poverty means a daily income of less than $1.90, according to the UN. Presume most of that would be spent on food. At least Brazil is hot so no one is freezing to death, and you don't need as many clothes.
The week or more is just to see a GP. Getting an appointment with a specialist can take months, and an operation more months (unless you have cancer, as we recently discovered...) Not 12 years though; that's terrible. I know we're lucky compared to Brazilians, and Americans even. But when people do blame politicians, there's not much they can do if they are all involved in corruption, and every government agrees on cutting spending.
@DT
May 22nd, 2019 - 05:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“Perhaps some people just prefer conformity and being told what to do?”...you are right, but it's only because that's what they've been accustomed to, for generations. I recall comments (seen on TV) of East Berliners soon after the Wall fell (1989), heard quite a few say they preferred the communist regime, because NOW, they had to think and felt “lost”....would like to think that today, 30 years later, they've changed their minds.
“So you need a degree just to get in the door, but still have to shine in other ways in order to get a job.”...Right again...when I applied for a job at Ford, that was very clear...and that was back in the early 70s. But if that IS the real situation - that now, higher education does not necessarily compensate, unless you are really determined to “shine” - it stands to reason that perhaps university is not for everyone...after all, aren't mechanics, carpenters, and other more 'hands-on' professions in demand ? and far from being selfish - to believe being awarded a scholarship, might be - I think it might distribute people more rationally over 100s of professions where they won't be competing in a rat race.
“...a daily income of less than $1.90, according to the UN”. Ok that's roughly what (on average) BF recipients get....but despite that definition, which implies that those getting US$ 1,91 would not be in “extreme poverty”, all it does, provided not spent on cigarettes 'n booze, is keep them from going hungry. Which is my point, it feeds them, does not make them any richer.
One week for a GP....still consider yourself privileged...compared to poor Brazilians. This situation is still a direct result of political corruption, at all levels of public administration. Funds released to build a hospital may end up as a new house on the beach for some mayor....and when/if discovered - someone reasonably honest just sees an empty lot where the hospital should be - it's denounced, the mayor is always innocent. Me steal ? Never !
“you are right, but it's only because that's what they've been accustomed to, for generations”
May 22nd, 2019 - 07:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'm sure that's true in places like North Korea, but I reckon a certain percentage of the population are just born that way. Hence the support for fascism and similar philosophies.
“and that was back in the early 70s”
Okay, it's not really a new problem, but it's getting worse as more and more people have degrees. I totally agree more of them should consider hands on professions, we've had shortages in several of them due to how young people are funnelled into a single path. It's partly due to those jobs not receiving as much respect as well, despite considerable skill required and decent earning potential.
“far from being selfish - to believe being awarded a scholarship, might be”
I don't know about that, but they could definitely do more for smart kids than leaving them sitting in a classroom twiddling their thumbs waiting for everyone else to catch up, or misbehaving out of boredom. Hopefully things have improved since I was at school.
$1.90 is shockingly low. If you had to live on that in the UK, you'd be sleeping on the street and eating out of dustbins. But the UN had to set the level somewhere, and anyone would rather eat and still be poor, than not even have money for food. Getting them out of poverty entirely is more difficult.
“still consider yourself privileged...compared to poor Brazilians”
The UK is a lot richer than Brazil, and should be able to do better than it does. The UN just panned our government in a report on poverty. But corruption obviously is a big part of the problem in Brazil.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/un-report-compares-tory-welfare-reforms-to-creation-of-workhouses
If economy/revenue from the crude-oil was the ONLY reason for the crisis; any/all of the concerned nations - even single-handedly - could have offered assistance; in return of “Substantial Benefits”:
May 22nd, 2019 - 08:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0REF: Long queues + fuel rationing in oil-rich Venezuela; Army sent to “cool” angry tempers.
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