Spain Socialists Suffer Heavy Election Losses
**Written by Doug Powers
The good news: Due to the economic disaster that invariably accompanies or follows Socialist experiments, Socialist politicians are suffering defeats in Spain’s elections. The bad news: The “green economy” pushed by these people has been used as a model for the US economy.
It was tempting to title this post “How’s that ‘Green Jobs Economy’ working out?” But that’s just a fraction of the story.
From the BBC:
With 91% of municipal votes counted, the centre-right Popular Party (PP) had almost a 10-percentage point lead, the interior ministry said.
Voting took place amid mass protests against high unemployment and the government’s handling of the economy.
Demonstrators holding sit-ins in Madrid and other cities said rallies would continue for another week.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero conceded his party had been resoundingly defeated but said he had no intention of calling early general elections.
He said three years of economic crisis had taken their toll.
“Economic crisis” without a doubt:
The financial crisis has forced deep cuts and left Spain burdened with 21.3 percent unemployment, the highest of any nation using the Euro as its currency. The jobless rate among the young stands at 40 percent and a total of 4.9 million people are out of work in Spain, the highest number since 1997.
As easy as it could be to assume, Socialists in Spain aren’t necessarily losing because of a backlash against Socialism (though it’s welcome where it’s occurring). Some Socialist politicians in Spain, or plenty of other places for that matter, are being run off because people are angry at their failure to deliver on undeliverable promises. State sponsored nirvana makes a state sponsored scorched earth policy against the Primrose Path inevitable. Spain’s situation is the Socialist Paradox personified:
MADRID — When Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero took power seven years ago, he and his Socialist Workers’ Party set out to perfect the welfare state in Spain. The goal was to equal— or even surpass — lavish social protections that have long been the rule for Spain’s Western European neighbors.
True to his Socialist principles and riding an economic boom, Zapatero raised the minimum wage and extended health insurance to cover everything from sniffles to sex changes. He made scholarships available to all. Young adults got rent subsidies called “emancipation” money. Mothers got $3,500 for the birth of a child, toddlers attended free nurseries and the elderly got stipends for nursing care.
How times have changed. With a U.S.-style real estate bubble having burst and the 2008 global economic crisis having unfurled like a tsunami from Wall Street to Plaza de Espana, Zapatero’s main concern in his second term has become hacking away at government spending to preserve Spain’s credit rating. The icon of socialism recently concluded a pact with labor unions and business leaders to freeze pensions, push back the retirement age from 65 to 67, trim union bargaining rights, cut civil servants’ pay by 5 percent (including his own) and suspend the childbirth bonus. The alternative, he warned, was bankruptcy.
Socialists going down to defeat in Spain should be a lesson for those US politicians who are pushing America in the same direction. It won’t be, but it should be.
(h/t Jammie Wearing Fool)
**Written by Doug Powers
Twitter @ThePowersThatBe
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good news, the right won the election, bad news, the left looted the bank account. sadly, this is what is coming in the 2012 election here, while daffy duck could beat obama, when he leaves, he will leave us with trillions in debts.
Socialists going down to defeat in Spain should be a lesson for those US politicians who are pushing America in the same direction. It won’t be, but it should be.
Sad but true.
Not the least of their problems was their concentration on creating “green” jobs. I was reading something on that earlier today. I think it was costing them something like 127000 dollars per green job, and they were losing around 2.5 other jobs for every green job created.
Socialism has never worked before, is not working now and never will.
Once you take away the desire for greatness, the freedom to learn, to excel, to achieve, all you gain is mediocrity at best….. and you dull the minds, senses and culture around you.
See Rome, A.D. – Only difference is that we aren’t going to last a thousand years……we’ll be lucky to make 250.
I almost forgot.
We can blame ignorance and apathy.
Socialism works until they run our of other people’s money.
Insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting a different result.
All socialists should have to pay for their lofty ideas out of their own pockets, then we would see if they can put their money where their mouth is. I bet they’d run away.
Barack Obama sounds a lot like Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
“Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities.”
— Winston Churchill
Buckle up, and hold on to your hats. I look for it to get a little bouncy around here in the coming week.
That’s the thing about “Progressives”. They all think that they are so much smarter then everybody that they can make it work. They are incapable of learning.
Why is socialism never judged by its reality but only by its lofty promises?
Ironically astute on both of your parts !
BTW, like the handle/moniker Blind Avocado.
Speaking of Blind, it looks like the old “One Eyed Sheikh” is pushing daisies instead of pushing poppies.
‘Taliban leader Mullah Omar killed’
An Afghan local television network has quoted Afghan intelligence sources as saying that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has been killed in Pakistan.
As I recall, there is another paralell: A while back, Islamic terrorists blew up a Spanish train, killing a lot of people right before the election. The result was …. the socialists swept into power. These guys immediate response was to pull their troops out of the Afganistan coalition. They’re not just economic dummies, but dhimmis.
Seems the people of the world are coming to grips with reality. Still too many leaders are trying to deny it and far too many people are hoping against it.
But reality has a stubborn way of being there whether you want it or not.
My main question is:
Does the collapse of the P.I.G.S. stop at the S and is it too late to reverse it?
The response from people in this country who want a more socialist system will be along the lines of “But it will be different here because we have the right people in charge.”
If my memory is serving me correctly the way the Socialists gained control of the Spanish Government in the first place was because many of the Spanish People turned yellow after members of “The Religion of Peace and Quiet” blew up some passenger trains and killed a number of people.
Yes. Right after the train bombings in Madrid back in 2004, the nation voted for these socialists.
Another way jihadists terrorize people: through economic destruction.
I visited Madrid one week after the bombing. The Spainards had elected that bunch of Socialist losers primarily because the former government had lied to them, saying the bombing was done by Bosque’s. That’s possibly true, & was the official story. However, it turns out that the Socialist had worked for years to get young people to vote, & they did. The win gave them plenty of time to sit around cafe’s, doing nothing. Spain, like the rest of Europe, has a past, and no future. They are nations of tour guides, waiters & bus drivers.
Unfortunately the repubs don’t have the guts to call the dems and their programs socialist. And point out where these programs fail every time. The Alinsky model works. They are afraid that dems will laugh them out of their congressional seat when they say socialist or more correctly communist. I don’t see any “statesmen” on our side yet.
Hey, I need advice. Joplin, MO is a little over 2 hours away from me. Should I drive over there with cases of bottled water, non-perishable food, t.p., flashlights with batteries, whatever I can fit in my car? During Katrina it seemed like everyone was really inefficient in getting people what they needed…
Socialists: “Economics? We don’t need no stinkin economics.”
IIRC most of these socialist in Spain voted in after the train bombings. They are like parasites looking for any way possible to sneak in. And once they’re in we all know what happens.
Not sure why you need advice, but if you have the time and ability and desire you should by all means help. Never assume the government will take of it…we’re Americans, not helpless babies. Good on you!
The sad thing is, when the new party takes power the people will expect them to fix the problems without cutting any benefits (we are seeing the same problem here). The socialists in Spain will do the same thing that the Dems do here in America, blame the other side and claim that they want to throw grandma off a cliff.
On May 23rd, 2011 at 7:03 am, StaceyOfLiberty said:
If they will allow you to enter that area, go for it! I would recommend that you take the supplies to a disaster service (ie. Red Cross or churches) where it can be distributed to those in need. No need for you to endanger yourself. The video I have seen shows incredible devastation. God bless you for your compassion.
StaceyOfLiberty said:
Donate if you can – from what I understand the people responding to this have their hands full and people coming in would just get in the way, thats ment as no offence but I heard this from a crew that works with me trying to get communications restored.
Leave it to the socialists to make a huge mess and leave it to someone else to clean it up. I seem to recall a certain president tell us that he was going to clean up the mess left by another president. Wonder how big the mess will be that our current president will leave for his successor and whether it will be possible to clean that up. With the unsettled masses in Spain stirring the pot for their “share” of the wealth (not there), will Republican contenders point to that and other Socialist disasters as an example for us to turn away from?
God Bless You Stacey,
You are probably better off staying away at this point. Watch the news and then decide what may be needed, since you are that far away.
Good on you.
That could be coming out of Barack H. Obama’s own mouth on January 2o, 2012.
Socialism fails,
everytime……
O/T….Obama now says that teleprompter misrepresentated what he said about Israel and the 1967 borders…
From what I heard and read of his speech he clearly said that Israel needed to return to the 1967 borders; yet he is going to try to claim that someone else misrepressented what he said. Damn teleprompters having their own minds once again….
Here is something to liven up the morning and give you all a chuckle – warning – no drinks should be in hand when you read this, the Brits have a way with people like the Sock Puppet;
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100088971/obama-oh-puh-lease/
The headline on 7 Nov 2012, insh-allah.
As long as European schools and media continue to brain wash the children, they will continue the cycle of socialist self destruction. Like an alcoholic loved one, you need to let them hit rock bottom before starting rehab. Someone keeps bailing these DUI drunks out of jail then buys them a jug of wine.
And Arrogance is doing the same things over and over expecting a different result because Chairman Obama is doing it this time.
A brilliant idea. But the best way might be to link up with a relief organization. They might know better where you can make a difference.
The grand world Socialist experiment is an unmitigated disaster. It is, and always has been a dictatorial and unsustainable governing model. The only reason it survived as long as it has is because of America buying the world’s goods and paying for their security. The Democrats exposed the weakness in the entire system when they collapsed the real estate and financial markets. Combine that with the debt-financed Marxian soft coup that we are experiencing in the US and you have a perfect storm of Socialist hell.
The world economies will never recover unless and until the powerful centralized governnments are brought to heel. Here we need the return of the gold standard, a 12% balanced budget, and the fair tax. That will straight-jacket the Statists, just so long as they play by the rules….. problematic I know.
England learned it’s lesson, other countries in Europe and Scandinavia have learned theirs. Even Canada rejected old school socialism by electing a majority Conservative gov’t recently. It’s unique that the U.S. finds itself trailing the pack, learning the dangers of instilling socialism.
Trust me, they don’t need chainsaws and pick-ups right now. They need shelter, water, toilet facilities, food, and medical care. We just went through this in Chattanooga and Ringold, GA. Assistance needs to be coming to them. They don’t need to be driving anywhere, even if they could it is a huge hardship.
Thanks everyone! (Sorry if I’m double-posting; I can’t see my other comment.) It sounds like they don’t want anyone coming in right now because search & rescue is still underway. Our company (Hallmark) will have some kind of response–usually for disasters they match employee donations, and sometimes they hold blood drives and/or organize volunteer crews as needed. I’m just going to stay tuned and try to figure out how to help.
TooMuch, if you made that up you should send it to your 2012 candidate of choice to be used over and over. It’s a keeper.
It never ceases to amaze me how wonderfully stupid these supposed wonderfully educated people are.
From 2 Thessalonians 3
“10-13Don’t you remember the rule we had when we lived with you? “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.” And now we’re getting reports that a bunch of lazy good-for-nothings are taking advantage of you. This must not be tolerated. We command them to get to work immediately—no excuses, no arguments—and earn their own keep. Friends, don’t slack off in doing your duty.
14-15If anyone refuses to obey our clear command written in this letter, don’t let him get by with it. Point out such a person and refuse to subsidize his freeloading. Maybe then he’ll think twice. But don’t treat him as an enemy. Sit him down and talk about the problem as someone who cares.”
The result of giving something for nothing is always the same. Eventually, you run out of the something and are left with nothing.
I am ashame to call these idiots my ancestors. Everyone wants a free ride and vote for the fools who promise it. When will people learn that nothing will be given to you for free without consequences. Sooner or later you will pay a very high price. People of Spain, you asked for what you got – so live with it or make a change before it’s too late.
Call your county sheriff or the local National Guard armory and make them aware ofyour offer to help. I think they will be able to ultimately connect you with the right people.
Over the weekend I read a report that Russia was feeding it’s military dogfood, calling it stew. Socialism/communism working perfectly, just as in Spain and everywhere else it is tried. Equal poverty and despotism to proclaim your poverty is not the fault of the socialist/communist manifesto, but merely due to circumstances or the fact that some people aren’t participating. Ask yourself this, “Would I take my paycheck, and spread it around my neighborhood to help my neighbors?” If the answer is no, communism/socialism fails. Even liberal students in Very liberal colleges want productive workers to have their paychecks confiscated to pay unproductive nonworkers a living wage, but when you ask them would they be willing to have their A grade confiscated and given to an F student so both would have a C grade, the answer is a resounding Hell No, I Worked Hard For That A! Again socialism/communism ONLY works in theory, which is why it is sooooo popular in Academia where reality never has to rear it’s ugly head.
Like SkyNet, TOTUS is now self-aware so…..
Maybe if the GOP establishment stops stuffing Assistant Democrats down our throats we would have a chance?
So true!
Why do people continue to push socialism when it fails everywhere it’s been tried? I guess it’s their desire for power.
I visited Spain about a month and a half ago. Right or left, everybody hated Zapatero which did not bode well for the Socialists’ chances. On t.v., I saw plenty of Spanish young people complaining that there were no jobs. In several cities, the “funemployed” were protesting in the streets. On the other hand though, they didn’t like the idea of retirement at 67. Imagine 18-22-year-olds worried about having to work 50 years instead of 30 like their parents. At least American youth aren’t that lazy. Yet.
It’s no guess…it IS the desire for power. Plain and simple.
Like so many other things that have failed recently, the reason for this failure can be traced back to only one explanation:
Global Warming!
In an effort to pacify environmental extremists in the Socialist Party, the Spaniards built windmills to stimulate job grown. Unfortunately for them, Spain lost two jobs for every one created in the “green” industry. Epic fail.
At least now, the socialists will have something “tangible,”and not just theoretical, with which to joust.
I can’t wait to hear their excuse for not winning over the population…do they have a Jorge W. Boosh-type tar baby to blame?
Survey: Recent college grads wising up about Obama
A recent informal survey of 500 post-grads primarily between the ages of 22 and 28 — 83 percent of whom voted for President Barack Obama in 2008 — found just 27 percent of Obama’s previous youth supporters plan to vote for him again, The Daily Caller reports. That’s a drop of almost 60 points.
In contrast, of those who voted for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008, a vast majority — 80 percent — said they would vote GOP again. An 80 percent majority of those newly disillusioned by Obama said they would consider voting for a Republican in 2012, too.
Why the change? Probably that first paycheck — or the lack thereof.
http://hotair.com/archives/2011/05/20/survey-recent-college-grads-wising-up-about-obama
TooMuchTime said
Brilliant, TMT. Brilliant.
Krugman cites this as the “failure of austerity”. Of course, he ignores that the lavish public spending increases only exacerbated the financial crisis for Spain. If Zapateros’ govt had not implemented them, the cuts required to preserve their country’s credit rating wouldn’t have been so painful or deep.
Which is another lesson our left wing could take to heart, but won’t.
StacyOfLiberty:
Bless you for your compassion and willingness to help. As you assess your options, bear in mind that the cost involved in a 4-hr round trip and a car full of expensive supplies might be better translated into a donation- and safer and easier for you, too.
Here are a couple of sites listing relief agencies that would welcome your help:
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/mind-soul/doing-good/kindness/post/2011/05/how-to-help-victims-of-the-missouri-tornado/171501/1?csp=34
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110523/us_ac/8522581_how_to_help_victims_of_the_joplin_tornado
@timmytango: Thank you for the links! When I woke up early this morning I felt worried that supplies just wouldn’t get there fast enough…but it seems like they are, from what I’m reading. I think you’re right; a monetary donation will be better.
Wait, wasn’t Newt going to sit on a sofa with Mr. Zapatero and do a commercial on “the wonders of MMGW” or “how great is socialism” or something like that?
I am sure that ad was going to be a cornerstone of his presidential campaign…