Argentina: General strike called against Milei's shock doctrine policies, hyperinflation

[peppertree]

Prices have jumped by around 60% in the last two months - while Argentina's far-right Milei regime, ruling by decree, has frozen pensions and minimum wages, with the private sector largely doing likewise (besides mass layoffs).

[enid602]

1. Milei massacre

I’ve heard that groceries have risen over 100% since his inauguration. Today it leaked from anonymous admin spokesperson that they plan to drastically lower the minimum income on which people have to pay income taxes, as the Govt can’t pay its bills. Spending on groceries, drink and NAFTA went down 20% in December, which is depression territory. Well, he did say he would shake things up. And the Dólar Blue is back!

[peppertree]

2. Sad, but true. It's the shock doctrine at work (again)

The idea is to push Argentina so far into a depression, that (a) the fire-sale of state firms becomes almost a matter of course; and (b) that anyone other than top elites (many of them inveterate fascists) will accept anything going forward out of sheer desperation.

That fat loon is a living reminder to Argentine voters that elections have consequences, and that things can always be worse.

Thanks as always for sharing your well-informed insights, Enid.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Seeing the Thing standing above the crowd in the opening frame was startling! "Good grief! He got loose again!"

Waving his chubby little hand, beaming vacantly, he looked as if he had just wandered out there like a giant insane toddler, certainly not like anyone the people of a nation had elected to lead them.

Wow.

He definitely has a captive audience, doesn't he?

Thank you, peppertree. I'm still trying to come to terms with how unsettling it is imagining him as Argentina's President.