Must Venezuela’s future parallel that of Cuba and Romania’s? Nicolie Ceausescu, Secretary General of the Romanian Communist party, 1965 to 1989, his reign ended abruptly with riots in Bucharest on December 21, 1989, resulting in the death of both he and his wife on Christmas eve 1989 by firing squad. The socialist style of government offers too many challenges for immediate recovery once initiated, the effects linger in Romania now for thirty years.

Romania has sought close European ties with NATO membership in 2004 and EU member status in 2007. Receiving monetary fund’s amounting to 22 billion euros from the EU and 2 billion pounds from Britain.

Romania’s rural farming district in the Carpathian mountains bordering the Black Sea is outside the reach of industry. The farming industry haven’t received any portion these funds. Aid awarded Romania has gone to recovery efforts in Bucharest. The farming industry is comparable to early 20th century, their farms taken over by the state — even today life is a constant struggle.

Today, Romania’s quasi democracy exists where corruption is endemic at all levels of government and undermines the rule of law. Efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises have stalled. (The same thing occurred in Russia: When a person or government becomes dependent the way out becomes difficult.)

Government background data reads like socialist propaganda. “Romania has extensive natural resources and a productive agriculture sector. (See life in “Rural Romania” on U Tube – where farming techniques are early 20th century). Leading economic sectors include manufacturing, auto assembly, textile and footwear. (Their footwear industry failed when world markets burgeoned early 21st century.) Labor shortages and political instability pose the greatest risk to one of Europe’s fastest growing economies.”

Germany was the first to advocate the Green movement in the mid 1960s. I question the sincerity of the USA Green Movement, their formal education on human sociology has failed them. How can an elected congressional member remain in government espousing socialism. Their beliefs that economic needs can be a forever thing is too ridiculous, even for the simplest minds.

To end usage of petroleum within ten years is completely stupid. Battery powered cars — maybe; but how would one fuel a ship, of course — with nuclear power! But nuclear powered aircraft?

Tom Rogers

Moultrie