Why the Media Surprise Over Bolivian Presidents Behavior?
When Bolivia’s President Evo Morales decided to commandeer the country’s huge natural gas industry, the major news organizations appeared genuinely surprised that a radical leftist voted into office would suddenly do what most Marxists wish they can do — have the state control production and the nation’s economy. In fact, Bolivia’s leftist government already stated it would extend control over mining, forestry and other sectors of the economy. Morales said Monday that the gas decree “was just the beginning, because tomorrow it will be the mines, the forest resources and the land.” Then on Tuesday, Vice President Alvaro Linera said mining companies could face higher taxes and royalty payments and that the government will intensify enforcement of existing laws to break up big underdeveloped land holdings, under the guise of turning them over to the poor. I can almost hear those America liberal hearts pounding faster as they witness this de facto government takeover of Bolivia’s private
