tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34818375296757524762024-03-06T04:20:23.552-05:00Austrian KnightsIn the pursuit of freedom, this blog seeks to promote free market values through the understanding of politics, philosophy, and economics.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-52498062498704664752024-02-09T16:23:00.004-05:002024-02-12T21:52:20.410-05:00 The hair of the dog<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The expression “the Hair of the Dog” comes to mind when someone tries to understand Ecuador’s current economic affairs. The definition of that coloquial phrase, according to Dictionary.com, is the following:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>“A morning drink may be the last thing you want after a night of </i><a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/booze"><i>boozing</i></a><i>, but that’s exactly what this quirky English expression means. Originally, the expression referred to a method of treating a </i><a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/rabid"><i>rabid</i></a><i> dog bite; hair from the dog was placed in the wound. So in that sense, having another drink (any drink) is like taking hair from the </i><a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/dog"><i>dog</i></a><i> that bit you.” </i>(Where Did the Strange Expression “Hair of the Dog” Come From?, 2020)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>President Noboa is reaching its 90<sup><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></sup> day in Office. However, in this short period of time his administration has faced two main issues. The first it is the security control problems due to the presence of drug cartels and systematic corruption in all layers of the political and judicial systems. The second trouble is the economic situation of the country.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>In the first case, Noboa declared the country in a State of War. The enemy all drug traffickers and their organizations that are recognized as terrorists groups according to the 110 and 111 Presidential </span><span style="font-family: times;">Decrees, signed into law on January 8</span><sup style="font-family: times;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: times;"> and 9</span><sup style="font-family: times;"><span style="vertical-align: super;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: times;">, 2024. However, the government now faces the unexpected and un planned cost of providing resources for security matters must be paid by someone. And as it always is; citizens must pay for government expenses.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Ecuador’s security is at a brink of reaching a point of no return and drug cartels and terrorist must be met with equal or more powerful force; it is not the best classical liberal option for the state to intervene. However, in the case of Ecuador it seem to be the best option available within a fast and available response.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>This means that Ecuador’s government deficit would increase from 6.1 billion dollars to cover the cost of the internal war. Hence, Noboa’s administration proposed a bill to congress where among other is the increase of Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA) -value added tax-, in order to cover the cost of war.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>As of right now, the National Assembly, the country's congress, discusses and argues about what goes in and out of the bill. Then President Noboa would veto, or partially veto the bill. Nevertheless, all ideas in the bill are about increasing taxes to the population.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>Sadly none, of the answers presented by the government follow in the following:</span></p><span style="font-family: times;">1.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Reduce Government size and spending</span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">2.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Efficient government spending</span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">3.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Decrease CIT</span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">4.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Decrease the barriers of entry for entrepreneurs</span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">5.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Delete all government subsides on fossil fuels</span><br /><span style="font-family: times;">6.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">Sign a Free-Trade-Agreement with the US</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">7. <!--[endif]-->Delete all government free-market restrictions</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>These are a few steps that a “well-intended government” must follow to clean and liberate the economy. However, if the government wants to keep the party going, means that the party must be paid and someone has to pay for it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"> If the party continues, to hair the dog seems more likely. But the unexpected and horrendous consequences are yet to come, and the cure of “hair of the dog” is the cue to go. </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-22191174088316424252023-10-14T02:08:00.000-04:002023-10-14T02:08:56.287-04:00October 15th is upon Us: but the Light at the end of the Tunnel is not here<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ecuador’s elections would take place on October 15, 2023. The unlikely run-off between Luisa Gonzalez and Daniel Noboa would define who becomes President for nearly the next 18 months.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>The Myth of the Rational voter states the following: your vote (a single vote) would not make a difference in the outcome, the voter is more informed of things such as: a TV or media influencer than the political implication of the candidate’s plans for the country. And finally, according to the median voter model the candidates seek to achieve the votes of the people whom didn’t vote for them on the first round. <span style="text-align: left;">As Bryan Caplan states in his book “The Myth of the Rational Voter”:</span></span></p><i style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">“Familiarity with politicians’ voting records and policy positions is predictably close to nil even on high profile issues, but amazingly good on fun topics irrelevant to policy. As Delli Carpini and Keeter remark:</span></i><div><span style="font-family: times;"><i style="text-indent: 36pt;">During the 1992 presidential campaign 89 percent of the public knew that Vice President Quayle was feuding with the television character Murphy Brown, but only 19 percent could characterize Bill Clinton’s record on the environment . . . 86 percent of the public knew that the Bushes’ dog was named Millie, yet only 15 percent knew that both presidential candidates supported the death penalty. Judge Wapner (host of the television series “People’s Court”) was identified by more people than were Chief Justices Burger or Rehnquist.12”</i><span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> (Caplan, 2011, p. 95)</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> Both candidates are running for office for the first time in their life. Their hopes and long shot have become true in a blink of an eye. However, their inexperience at the highest stage of politics its noticeable. The second round presidential debate was poor and boring to say the least. Neither candidate could establish a narrative that help them to transmit their political offerings. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>But discounting the fact of the myth of the rational voter and the lack of experience from both candidates; the sadder part it is their similarities and poor strategies to achieve economic development and security.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> It is important to analyze the policies that these two candidates promote in their electoral campaigns. The following chat details the similarities and differences in the policies of each candidate.</span></p><table border="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: 4.6500pt; mso-padding-alt: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed;"><tbody><tr style="height: 15.7500pt;"><td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; border-left: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; border-right: none; border-top: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: SimSun; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; border-top: 1.0000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Luisa Gonzalez</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(248,203,173); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Daniel Noboa</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.7500pt;"><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(174,170,170); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Field</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(191,191,191); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid windowtext; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Same Perspective</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(174,170,170); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Different Perspective</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(174,170,170); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Different Perspective</span></b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td nowrap="" rowspan="9" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Security</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Social Participation</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">New old secretaries of Security and Justice</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Socioeconomic plan for job creation</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Rehab programs</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Take guns away from the public</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Judiciary reform, reforms for lesser crimes times of imprisonment</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Proportional sanctions</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Hire new judiciary personnel, buy new technologies, review legislation of preventive imprisonment</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Create a new agency to eradicate cyber crimes</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Human rights training for cell guards</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Cero tolerance to police and militar intervention and the use of excessive force</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Punish human rights violations</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Strength police and military so their interventions are efficient and respectful</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Create a female police force to deal with feminine homicides</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td nowrap="" rowspan="6" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Economics</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Higher expenditure in health system with new hospitals</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Create incentives for people not to take their money out of the country</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Use on USD2,500 millions of the international reserves </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Purchase new technologies for the SRI to recover more money from the public</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Increase oil production by 20%</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Start the program to build crude oil refineries</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Fiscal and expenditure responsibility and cut spending</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Increase the international reserves and attract foreign investment</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td nowrap="" rowspan="7" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 8pt;">Employment</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Promotion of collective bargaining between unions and employers</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Respect for labor rights, both individual and collective. Employment Stability</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Protect the dollarization, attract foreign direct investment, grantee lines of credit, and prosecution of tax evaders</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 75.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Incentives for the sustainability of employment in small companies in the popular and solidarity economy.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Workplaces free of violence and harassment</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">investment in strategic sectors with high potential, through tax incentives or a government fund for projects, in areas such as technology, renewable energy, tourism and agriculture</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Recognition to fathers and mothers of the time for care and upbringing</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Stimulate the creation of small and medium-sized businesses</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 60.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Tax Promote the circular economy. Promote “emerging” community public works that link people without work.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Create an infrastructure development program, focused on areas such as transportation, energy, water and sanitation</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Policies and regulations that protect workers, ensuring “fair wages, safe working conditions and adequate social protection.”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Regularly update the basic salary and sanction employers who do not comply with it</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 60.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">My first job plan, with a budget of USD 67.5 million, which will finance 50% of the basic salary, during the first year of work, for 50,000 young people. The company must cover the other 50%.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Lower taxes on national and foreign companies that employ “national labor.”</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">investment of USD 100 million in women's businesses, especially those who are victims of gender violence.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td nowrap="" rowspan="4" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Rights</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">In favor of social manifestations and LGTBI </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Beliefs in entrepreneurship with social responsibility</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Against gender violence and plans to invest USD100 millions for their victims</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Argues in favor of working against gender and family violence</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Against abortion</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">LGBTI groups recognition and protection</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Against the results of the Yasuni ITT referendum results</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">In favor of keeping oil under the Yasuni ITT</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td rowspan="3" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Social Security</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Comply with the State contribution</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Control the pension system: adjust age, finance sources, more workers to the system</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Open actuarial calculations</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Review the investment strategies for the founds available</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 15.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Create Social Security specialized for artists</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(169,208,142); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Purchase bonds back to give liquidity</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 60.0000pt;"><td nowrap="" rowspan="5" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: none; border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: none; mso-border-top-alt: none; padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 57.6000pt;" valign="center" width="76"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Health</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">National Health System with emphasis on the entry levels</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td nowrap="" style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Hire back doctors</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Prioritize and guarantee health pregnancy: nutrition, psychological support, and child support within the first 1000 days</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 30.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Strengthen infrastructure, medicine and supplies</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Set an strategy to eradicate malnutrition</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Support and service to LGBTI community</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Use private health suppliers as part of the public system</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Expansion and improvement of continuing training programs for health personnel</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 45.0000pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Establish protection for public hospitals in becoming private entities</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Scholarships for studies abroad and establishment of international collaboration networks</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr><tr style="height: 60.7500pt;"><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 85.4000pt;" valign="center" width="113"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"> </span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 140.1000pt;" valign="center" width="186"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Prioritize national production of medicine</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td><td style="background: rgb(180,198,231); border-bottom: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-left: none; border-right: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); border-top: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-left-alt: none; mso-border-right-alt: 1.0000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); mso-border-top-alt: 0.5000pt solid rgb(0,0,0); padding: 0.0000pt 5.4000pt 0.0000pt 5.4000pt; width: 138.3500pt;" valign="center" width="184"><p class="MsoNormal" style="vertical-align: middle;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">Investment in technology that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of health services, such as telemedicine and health </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 9pt;">information systems</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><i style="background-color: #fef1c4; color: #2c3e50; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">Noticias sobre Frente a Frente</i><span style="background-color: #fef1c4; color: #2c3e50; text-align: start; text-indent: -48px;">. (2023, September 22). Primicias. https://www.primicias.ec/elecciones-presidenciales-2023/frente-a-frente/</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The data on the table above shows that the candidates have less in common with regards of their political promises of campaign. Furthermore, it seems like Gonzalez and Noboa don’t remember that whom ever gets the presidency; the length for the administration is 18 months. The new president would have difficulties complying with their offerings. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"> <span> </span>However, the biggest flaw of both candidates is not pursuing two matters: 1) Policies for social and economic development. 2) Realistic plan to regain security aceptable levels in the territory. Both lack of strategies to give real institutional change to harbour strong rule of law and defense of private property. Lastly, neither are capable of realizing that without security nothing can move forward; the country needs to rely of foreign aid to eradicate terrorist groups and drug trafficking in the country.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">At the end, October 15th is upon us; but the light at the end of the tunnel is not here. </span> </p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-10612808640916592552023-08-23T12:30:00.001-04:002023-08-23T12:34:48.084-04:00An Unlikely Runoff: González vs. Noboa <div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eezO96-MzEc2DV6SzAjAxIdnfxy7hVexvTQEGGRmvTnid2KGiLcsLxDLtzjkp4yd6pupckI-Au2S0TNui0r7RyRDRfJqPuHRJ1a8PntoUBxhYKSEkJdRgBwei0BIcSxHZ5V7IrllVSwvzPgOQiJ0QNUr_DpDIBEytduSGLqN8cT-PfUL82-pQnNDu1M/s800/GonVSNob.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eezO96-MzEc2DV6SzAjAxIdnfxy7hVexvTQEGGRmvTnid2KGiLcsLxDLtzjkp4yd6pupckI-Au2S0TNui0r7RyRDRfJqPuHRJ1a8PntoUBxhYKSEkJdRgBwei0BIcSxHZ5V7IrllVSwvzPgOQiJ0QNUr_DpDIBEytduSGLqN8cT-PfUL82-pQnNDu1M/s320/GonVSNob.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="ReithSans, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f6f6f6; color: #545658; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 700; text-align: left;">Source: BBC News Mundo (</span>Luisa González & Daniel Noboa)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ecuador’s
Presidential election took place on August, 20<sup>th</sup>, 2023. According to
the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) official information, with more than 98%
of the ballots in, it shows that Luisa González and Daniel Noboa are headed to
the runoff in October this year. González, a disciple and loyal follower of
Rafael Correa, achieved the 33.6% of the electorate; while Noboa, a
self-proclaimed “progressive” –left-leaning- entrepreneur and son of banana
mogul, got 23.4% of the ballots on Sunday. In other words, only 5 out of ten
people supported both candidates in this election. Hence, 50% of the other
constituents voted for other candidate (one out of the other 6 candidates that
run for office) that means the October runoff duo have much work to do to get bigger
support within the next 50 days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span>However, the story
goes beyond the introducing data presented in the earlier paragraph. The
results show that Rafael Correa’s political party, Revolución Ciudadana, has
its deep roots within the population; maintaining the 33% its base of the
general electorate for the last three political elections (either for regional
or presidential). Furthermore and not
surprising, it is the fact that González gets the approval of over the 45% (in
some cases higher numbers) of the population in the provinces, such as: Guayas,
Manabí, Esmeraldas, Los Ríos, Santo Domingo; all these provinces have higher
indexes of insecurity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span>On the other hand,
Daniel Noboa is the surprise of this political process. Noboa performed well on
the Presidential Debate on August 13<sup>th</sup>. He conveyed a message
without attacks on other candidates, especially to Correa’s party and its
candidate, transmitted calmness, and strategy with data. The lack of stage
presence and proposals by other candidates, especially Jan Topic and Otto
Sonnenholzner, played a major role in favor of Noboa. Even the absence of the
late Fernando Villavicencio, who was assasinated 11 days prior to Election Day,
helped Noboa. But Noboa has some credit himself. He structured and planned a
well-established campaign on the streets that gave him support. This support
comes from young voters and that a remarkable success.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Ecuadorians also
went to the polls to elect and replace the ousted Assembly (Congress), by
Lasso’s decree this past May; and the political party Revolución Ciudadana came
out as a winner with 52 spots of 137, followed by Fernando Villavicencio the
political movement with 31 seats. On the other hand, Noboa’s party only managed
to gather 12 chairs; which means that if he becomes president he needs to lobby
and reach agreements with the opposition.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Overall, the broad
view of the political situation in Ecuador is not ideal. The choices are one
year and a half of the failed experiences of the so-called “Socialism of the 21<sup>st</sup>
Century,” or a left-leaning-new-comer-young entrepreneur with an Assembly run
by González party. However, the electorate must decide between more of the
political, economic, and social disruption and despair brought by the Rafael
Correa and its Affiliates or a small sense of relief and time to plan for a
better future in the long run and the presidential elections of 2025.</div></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-31852557558781242902023-08-18T01:00:00.001-04:002023-08-18T01:03:11.639-04:00De-dollarizing an Economy is not an Easy Task but in the Case of Ecuador it Makes No Sense <div style="text-align: left;">Ecuador adopted the
US Dollar as its currency on January, 2000. The country at the time had almost
a 100% rate of inflation and it used the US currency for major transactions
such as: house, cars, and importations purchases, to name a few. However, there
was a huge social cost of implementing the US Dollar in Ecuador. The political
cost took a big hit when President Mahuad was ousted due to his decision in
2000.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span lang="EN"><span> </span>Former President Jamil Mahuad in his book called: "This is how we
dollarize Ecuador" (2021), makes a detailed account of the economic
conditions in which the country was prior to the execution of the executive
decree to use the US dollar as the country's official currency. Mainly, in its chapter IX "Hyperinflation
and freezing." Mahuad mentions the following:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><i>“We then had a triple run: a bank run (due to the withdrawal of bank
deposits), an exchange run (due to the loss of Central Bank reserves caused by
the purchase of dollars) and a flight of capital abroad (due to the transfer of
dollars abroad by large companies in the country).”</i> (Mahuad, 2021, p. 278)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span><span lang="EN"><span> </span>Additionally, in the book "Dollarization an Urgent Report"
(2000), a text compiled and edited by the left-leaning economist Alberto
Acosta, who rightly includes studies from different perspectives on
dollarization and its implementation. This document includes an article issued
by the Ecuadorian Institute of Political Economy (IEEP) called "Official
Dollarization in Ecuador."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span><span lang="EN">The IEEP expresses in the document the following:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><br /></span></div><i>“Unofficial dollarization is not as beneficial as official
dollarization. A country that is unofficially 80 percent dollarized receives
much less than 80 percent of the benefits of official dollarization. The
problem is that governments and central banks, in unofficially dollarized
countries, try to create an artificial demand for the local currency through
the imposition of financial regulations that lead to less efficient exchange
and therefore impede economic growth. Moving from unofficial to official
dollarization is a qualitative improvement in economic policy and not just a
small quantitative change. […] Official dollarization works because it
strengthens property rights to money and makes exchanges more efficient. With
money being the broadest form of property in a society, <b>dollarization ensures that the national government will not rob people
of their money by creating high inflation</b>. Inflation is a type of tax;
reducing it from 60% or more per year, to low single digits, is a tremendous
stimulus for economic growth. Official dollarization offers a true fixed rate
because the <b>Central Bank of Ecuador
cannot devalue the dollar.</b> That fixed exchange rate is therefore credible.
A pegged exchange rate, by contrast, can be devalued, and in Ecuador, has often
been devalued. Anchored exchange rates are unreliable and have been the main
cause of currency crises in East Asia, Russia, and Brazil. Anchoring the Sucre
would be no more successful now than it was before.</i><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN"><i>With dollarization, the issue of devaluation is eliminated, because
Ecuador cannot devalue the dollar. There will be no speculative attacks and
interest rates will be lower than in a system similar to Argentina's. […] at
levels close to those existing in the United States of America (2-3 percent per
year). Not being able to finance itself with inflation, the government will
face strong pressure to reduce unsustainable deficits. As we will discuss
later, dollarization will reduce the revenue loss that occurs now, when high
inflation reduces the real value of taxes received by the state. By removing
currency uncertainty, dollarization will remove what is currently the biggest
obstacle to economic growth.”</i> (IEEP, 2000, pp. 74 - 78)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>It is also
important to recognize that there is an international movement led by China and
Russia to de-dollarize de world after its reign for over 80 years in the
international markets. These two countries, plus Brazil, India and South Africa
conform the (BRICS, acronym for the first letter of these nations) move in an
agenda to reduce the influence of the US currency worldwide. However, currently
the US dollar represents more than 60% of the national reserves of all central
banks; while the yen only covers 2.7% of those reserves. In other words, the US
dollar is not going anywhere anytime soon.
<span lang="ES">(<i>¿Qué Es La Desdolarización? Todo Lo Que Debes Saber Sobre El Empeño
de China Y Rusia Por Desbancar al Dólar</i>, 2023)<br /> <o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>Ecuador’s
Presidential Election will take place on this August, 20<sup>th</sup>. There
are eight candidates for the highest office of the land and there is one
candidate that beliefs in de-dollarize the nation it is right. After exposing the arguments above, one
cannot stop but wonder: 1) Is it in the interest of that presidential candidate
to increase government spending and build a few more roads, hospitals, and or
schools (in most cases with overpriced contracts)?, Knowing that the government
has no funds from oil production and it can’t afford to increase taxes;
therefore creating inflation and killing the economy after 23 years of
stability. 2) What is the influence of China and Russia behind this candidate’s
proposal? The political party behind the presidential candidate that proposes to
de-dollarize the economy has previously held ties with those two countries and
their partners.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /> <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> </span>At the end, moving
away from the best economic policy of the last 50 or more years for Ecuador
would be economic suicide. The presidential candidate that seeks to implement the
de-dollarization process aims for young voters –knowing that they may not
remember a country without the US Dollar-. Plenty is at stake in this election.
It is no only about electing a new president or increasing the security levels
in country; this election is about keeping the instrument (US Dollar) that
after years of government intervention in the economy has kept the economy and
social levels at a relatively livable standard. Without this currency Ecuador
is doomed to fail.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-2752927035869043332023-08-15T17:06:00.002-04:002023-08-15T17:06:58.102-04:00Milei and Argentina’s Opportunity and more…<p> Javier Milei, 52, is
the leader of the Argentinian Political Movement La Libertad Avanza. Milei is
self-proclaimed Libertarian who is into politics as a Congressman since 2021
and a political commentator for a few more years.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Milei won the
primaries in Argentina, PASO, this past Sunday. La Libertad Avanza achieved a
30% of the national vote. This result is a surprise for most of the people even
outside of that country. However, there are different takes on the outcome of
this electoral process. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">According to Pablo
Touzon, political analyst, Milei’s victory is the result of failures of Mauricio
Macri’s and Alberto Fernandez’ governments. Even, there are some people who
compare Milei to Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro. Natalia Aruguete, journalist,
so that Melei’s vote comes an “antiestablishment” type-of-movement or a population
feeling due to the years that Argentina and its citizens suffered. (Sourtech,
n.d.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nonetheless, Javier
Milei is truly a genuine politician who looks into a huge government overhaul,
even to the point to eradicate the ministries of: Health, Education, and
Environment. (Nicas et al., 2023) Most importantly, Miley proposes the use of
the United States Dollar, as Argentina’s national currency; to repel the misuse of roughly 14 different types of US Dollars as currency that the government has or
contributed to create. in order to fund its government misallocated programs. Furthermore, Milei seeks to abolish the National Central
Bank, which would make sense if the country uses the American currency. <o:p></o:p></p>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Argentina, as much of
the Latin American continent, desperately seeks to avoid falling into the hands
of socialism and its damaging outcomes. In this despair, is that Javier Milei
becomes an opportunity, and far from being a perfect one, is an outstanding opportunity
for Argentina to emerge back from the current disaster it’s in. But Milei is
not only hope for Argentina; if he wins there is a good chance of causing a
political shift in the region. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-63279086784185660272023-08-13T01:46:00.000-04:002023-08-13T01:46:04.285-04:00 The killing of Fernando Villavicencio: when a nation loses its north<p>The killing of
political opponents is not a new occurrence in history. Back in 44 B.C., Julius
Cesar was assassinated by 60 Roman Senate Opposition members after he was
stabbed for roughly 30 times. (National Geographic Society, 2022). However, in
more recent years there have been other killings of political opponents. For
example, in 2003 left-wing opposition leader Chokri Belaid of Tunisia was
killed outside of his house; on April 2021, Chad President Idriss Deby Itno was
killed – he was declared elections’ winners that year-; Japanese former Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe was murdered during a campaign speech in 2022. (<i>A Look
at High-Profile Political Assassinations This Century</i>, n.d.)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">However, political
foes also took care of disputes in a different way, especially in the US, where
duels were normal. For example: Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, Button
Gwinnett</span> and Lachlan McIntosh, and Secretary of State Henry Clay
and Senator John Randolph in 1826, dueled due to different circumstances.
These duels took place in a gentlemen manner, in order words at least at the
time of attack one knew it. It was a face-to-face argument.<span style="background: white; color: #2c3e50; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(<i>A
Future American President’s Deadly Duel - National Constitution Center</i>,
2021)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">On August 9, 2023,
eleven days prior to presidential elections; Fernando Villavicencio,
presidential –center right- candidate, was killed during a rally in the north
side of Quito. It was precisely the moment when democracy died in the country.
Even considering the weak Rule of Law in Ecuador, Political opportunism and cynicism,
the insecurity levels in the country; this was just a moment of despair, of
solitude, a moment where the north of the country was lost. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Villavicencio’s
dead represents the current state of the country. A country where interest
groups –of different types- have the control of everything. And where things don’t
go their way, they impose their way with terror and awe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-26163652172381634752023-08-10T19:08:00.000-04:002023-08-10T19:08:39.778-04:00Lasso: you failed<p><span> </span>Guillermo Lasso was elected as President of Ecuador in 2021.
Since May of that year, Lasso demonstrated difficulties in managing its own
political party, networking and lobbying with the National Assembly, and most
of all keeping close his alliance with the Partido Social Cristiano’s Leader,
Jaime Nebot.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Lasso backed his presidency initial months with a successful
Covid-19 vaccination campaign, which was supported mainly by international
organizations. But further than that; Lasso’s government is a failure. In an
earlier post of this blog, it’s mentioned the following:<o:p></o:p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">“<i>With this in mind and having elections for president in
Ecuador in 2024; time is an enemy for Lasso’s presidency. Ecuador’s President
needs to increase speed in changes, reforms, and lobbying through a divided
Assembly (Congress) to obtain legislation that allows: economic freedom,
stronger rule of law, and presenting a positive environment for foreign
investment. All these changes must be done quickly enough so that by 2024
elections Ecuadorians may not remember the social cost of the implementation of
such reforms.”<o:p></o:p></i></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span> </span>The changes didn’t
come fast enough. Instead, Lasso managed to burn bridges with every possible
person, political party or organization that could help him to govern in a
positive manner in order to implement the changes the country needed. For that,
Lasso: you failed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span> </span>Lasso, who came
from the private sector and built his own empire, had no clue on how to manage
a country. He didn’t have a National Plan, instrument stated in the constitution
to become President –even though, he had more than ten years to elaborate it
while he was in campaign to achieve the presidency-. Hence, Lasso: you failed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span> </span>In matters of
national security, Lasso had no clue what the country needed. It is not enough
to cut the business of the drug trafficking lords and their operations. Lasso’s
government didn’t have the security plan nor the plan for those who make a
living off from drug trafficking, his lack of governing turned into chaos in
the country. The insecurity levels escalated, people were extorted, and killed;
–overall Ecuador is a Failed State-. Therefore, Lasso: you failed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span> </span>Lasso’s egocentrism
played a major role in the current situation, </span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">in May 2023 he
dissolved (using the Crusader Death method) the National Assembly, where it
carried out an impeachment trial against him. The application of the Crusader
Death, a tool enshrined in the constitution of 2008, causes the presidential
elections to be brought forward to August 2023; giving hope for the return of
the so-called "Socialism of the XXI Century", which is Rafael
Correa’s political party; with all the threats to liberty that this implies.
And in some many other ways, Lasso: you failed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-72140968316946528002021-06-29T15:14:00.000-04:002021-06-29T15:14:08.270-04:00Hope is here<p><span style="font-family: times;">Guillermo Lasso won the Ecuador’s presidency in a contested
battle in the ballots in April 2021. Now, it is a little over a month since he
is in power. The international reaction to Lasso’s presidency was perceived positively
in different areas for the country, such as: the labor market, country’s risks
(drop of 420 points since Election Day until June 28<sup>th</sup>, 2021), and
approval rating, to name a few.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">According to the Foro Iberoamericano, Ecuador is consider
the new hope for Latin America. In the event held on May 23<sup>rd</sup>,
“Evento con motivo de la toma de posesión de D. Guillermo Lasso,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>where different prominent freedom fighters
participated, it became clear that what takes place in Ecuador it is of
important significance to the whole region and even to the Classical Liberal
movement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">In a month in power, Guillermo Lasso has inked some
Presidential Decrees towards a freer economy, enhanced covid-19 vaccination
rate of speed and imposing good governmental practices. However, much still
needs to be done. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Lasso has difficulties in completing his team. In other
words, it seems that since the political break with Partido Social Cristiano
(PSC), since mid-May; there are not enough people with experience in the public
sector and the free market spirit needed at this time to assemble his team.
Lasso’s cabinet has some old faces, his secretaries and ministries, in some
cases, are people whom already served with the “Socialismo del Siglo 21,”
people either picked by Correa or Moreno in their time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Another critical issue for Lasso is timing. In Argentina,
Mauricio Macri (President from 2015-2019) is a witness of bad timing. Macri’s
political and economic reforms where not popular and not applied fast enough.
Therefore, Macri was president of Argentina for one term only. In Latin
America, the population have its differences and similarities. Political memory
and historical learning may be a weakness of the whole region. With this in
mind and having elections for president in Ecuador in 2024; time is an enemy
for Lasso’s presidency. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Ecuador’s President needs to increase speed in changes,
reforms, and lobbying through a divided Assembly (Congress) to obtain
legislation that allows: economic freedom, stronger rule of law, and presenting
a positive environment for foreign investment. All these changes must be done quickly
enough so that by 2024 elections Ecuadorians may not remember the social cost
of the implementation of such reforms. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times;">Ecuador has a unique opportunity in its hands, it now
depends on the approach the government takes and the response from the private
sector. At the end, and after 15 years of socialism, “Hope is here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-56009615607032310852011-06-14T23:54:00.000-04:002011-06-14T23:54:26.737-04:00We will Win the Battle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Lawrence Reed, President of the <a href="http://fee.org/">Foundation for Economic Education</a>, makes a remarkable speech at Americans for Prosperity's 2011 Defending the American Dream Summit in Jasper, GA. The video does not need any other comment except that it is worth your time. Enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DM7uUSp4xI0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Remeber: The battle is not over. We, Classical Liberals, Free-Markets, and Humanity, will WIN.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-76061675325219060892011-04-20T00:06:00.002-04:002011-07-22T00:22:22.016-04:00There is no Doubt: There is Terrorism all over Latin America<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Sadly, for Latin America rumors have become truths. Terrorism exists in Latin America. Reports from different sources validate, the fact, that various suspicions are no longer speculations but reality. </span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 115%;">Terrorism is in countries like Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://www.hudson.org/learn/index.cfm?fuseaction=staff_bio&eid=DareJaim">Jaime Daremblum</a>, of the</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hudson</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Institute, Washington, D.C., </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">and Costa Rica’s former ambassador to the United States, confirms that terrorist cells are working in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Daremblum says that terrorism has been present in Argentina since the attacks perpetrated by Hezbollah in the 1990’s. The former diplomat also explains that Iran’s influence in Latin America is so powerful that Iranians are not required a Visa to enter Venezuela. In his article that appears in the Hudson Institute website titled “<a href="http://las.hudson.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=publication_details&id=7889">Al Qaeda in Brazil?</a>” Daremblum says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">“Terrorists have long found haven in South America's so-called Triple Frontier, which encompasses the intersection of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. This area is known for being a Wild West of lawlessness, drug trafficking, and organized crime. Argentina is especially sensitive to increased terrorist activity in the region. During the 1990s, it suffered two deadly bombings orchestrated by Hezbollah and Iran. The first (in 1992) destroyed the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires; the second (in 1994) demolished a Jewish community center in the same city.</span>”</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Furthermore, the Ecuadorian newspaper <a href="http://www4.elcomercio.com/Default.aspx">El Comercio</a> reports the existence of terrorist cells in Quito and other cities in the country. Ecuadorian police captured a few people from the Middle East due to their participation in drug trafficking. Six of the detainees were extradited to the United States because their red profiles under the FBI database. </span><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 115%;">The article titled “<a href="http://www4.elcomercio.com/Seguridad/celulas_del___terrorismo_circulan_por_el_pais.aspx">Celulas del Terrorismo Circulan por el Ecuador</a>,” says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="ES" style="line-height: 115%;">“El nombre de Ahmed A., uno de los aprehendidos por los agentes, coincide con otro que aparece en los archivos del FBI por vínculos con Osama bin Laden, líder de la organización Al Qaeda.</span>” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">(</span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">name</span> A.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ahmed</span></span><span title="Click for alternate translations"></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, one</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">those arrested</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">by the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">agents,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">similar and matches to another</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;">,</span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> which is</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">on file with the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">FBI</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">for ties</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">to</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Osama</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">bin</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Laden</span></span><span title="Click for alternate translations"></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">, leader</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Al</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> <span title="Click for alternate translations"></span></span><span class="hps"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Qaeda</span></span><span title="Click for alternate translations"></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%;">.</span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Wilson Toainga, a former public prosecutor, who investigated the case of a terrorist cell in Ecuador in 2005, has explicitly acknowledged the presence of cells in Ecuador. Toainga expresses concern not only about terrorism but also organized crime. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Additionally, Honduras has reinforced security around various foreign embassies. According to a report, Oscar Alvarez, Honduras’ Security Minister, expresses his concern about possible terrorist attacks. Alvarez says that these acts of terrorism would be plotted by Al Qaeda and carried out by Hondurans. Here an excerpt from the article that appears on <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/23/terror/main637710.shtml">CBS</a>’ website:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">“<span class="apple-style-span">We are facing a state of preventative national alert, because our intelligence services report that al Qaeda foreigners have made offers for Hondurans to carry out sabotage both here and abroad”</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">hese three reports from various sources show that terrorism is present in Latin America. There is no doubt about it now. Moreover, it is not terrorism a danger to Latin America but also drug trafficking and organized crime. The question should be: When are these cells going to be operational?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">And, whether any action can be taken in order to prevent attacks from extremists and fanatics or just wait and deal with the pain of terrorist</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> ac</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">ts.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">More Info: Updates 7/21/11</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.hacer.org/latam/?p=9336">Is Ecuador Becoming the 'UN of Crime'?</a></span></span><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-24137710798258582322011-04-06T00:41:00.008-04:002011-04-19T23:08:22.331-04:00Get the Hell Out!<div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The Ecuadorian government has declared “Persona non grata” to the United States Ambassador, Heather Dodges. Ricardo Patiño, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, asked Hodges to leave Ecuador as soon as possible due to a WIKILEAKS cable where the Ambassador alleged police corruption, which was known by Ecuador’s government (<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/04/05/ecuador-demands-ambassador-leave-country-wikileaks-cable/?test=latestnews">FOXNEWS</a>) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Patiño requested Hodges to leave after she did not provide the explanation Patiño looked for. Ecuador’s Foreign Minister was unsatisfied with Hodges’ explanation. Hodges said that the information was stolen from the United States Government. Therefore, she had nothing to explain to Ecuadorian authorities. The cable leak first appeared in the Spanish newspaper El País. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Whether Heather Hodges sent a cable or not. Ecuador’s government has no support to base diplomatic decisions of expelling a foreign diplomat on those grounds. Ecuador’s government is not only battling domestic disagreement with Rafael Correa’s administration but also foreign. What is next? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-4375278858266377002011-04-04T00:47:00.015-04:002011-04-19T23:10:10.610-04:00Is Hugo Chavez a Terrorist?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W3Hrq7Mv0NSyt69LlC3noMv3CqDFC5sHN_m50KxHF9VSUR7IDP3yQqsgBeq-qb4zMoHtSc2MKL6gNUVh7lCZJPt-R3RPNLIJntXm-oIm_9lLRkJXewAt4mzXmRzS9kbAby_h5zZn_IQ/s1600/Chavez.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591590990783984146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9W3Hrq7Mv0NSyt69LlC3noMv3CqDFC5sHN_m50KxHF9VSUR7IDP3yQqsgBeq-qb4zMoHtSc2MKL6gNUVh7lCZJPt-R3RPNLIJntXm-oIm_9lLRkJXewAt4mzXmRzS9kbAby_h5zZn_IQ/s320/Chavez.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 209px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre;"></span>Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s President, has established an anti-American agenda since he became president. It is not a surprise to some people to read articles like the ones posted on America’s Forum web site. However, the implications for Latin America exposed in the articles linked bellow are real and dangerous.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>According to the articles, Hugo Chavez hosted a terrorist summit in Venezuela’s Military Intelligence Fort Tiuna in Caracas back in August 2010. The meeting had representatives from Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Chavez has become the perfect seed that terrorism needs to spread its radical ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Chavez’ influence in countries like Bolivia, Nicaragua, Ecuador, etc., is an asset to terrorists’ cells. In Ecuador, terrorists have a different incentive to promote their fight against the western hemisphere. Ecuador uses the United States Dollar as currency. Money laundering in dollars is an advantageous tool for terrorism to finance its operations. The Financial Action Task Force’s (<a href="http://www.fatf-gafi.org/pages/0,2987,en_32250379_32235720_1_1_1_1_1,00.html">FATF</a>) 2010 report shows that in Ecuador money laundering takes place at an alarming rate. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">As America’s Forum article, “Chavez Hosts Terrorist Summit in Venezuela” reads the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"We assume that they are virtually present in all Latin American countries, and these people have the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>determination to attack America… We believe this is the kind of things that would be discussed at the <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>summit, their ability to take their fight to the Western Hemisphere.''<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Two questions come to mind:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1)How far will Chavez go to execute his anti-American agenda?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2)Which countries in Latin America are following Venezuela’s lead and opening up their borders to terrorists?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Links:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://americasforum.com/content/chavez-hosts-terrorist-summit-venezuela">Chavez<span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span>Hosts Terrorist Summit in Venezuela</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://americasforum.com/content/there-chavez-terror-network-america%E2%80%99s-doorstep">Is there a Chavez terror network on America’s doorstep?</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-28252372938289716242010-11-10T15:33:00.010-05:002011-04-04T01:39:51.216-04:00The Failure of the “Market Failure” Argument<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://faculty.msb.edu/hasnasj/GTWebSite/Newindex.html">Dr. John Hasnas</a>, Law professor at Georgetown University, gave a lecture to the <a href="http://studentsforliberty.org/">Students for Liberty</a> (Webminar Series) on November 8, 2010. Hasnas lecture was not on the Market Failure (MF) but rather the FAILURE of the Market Failure argument. Hasnas exposed his arguments against the MF from his knowledge in law and ethics. Hasnas could not being more eloquent in establishing the distinction of what constitutes for him the disappointment in the argumentation of the defenders of the subject in question. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I will now share my notes from Hasnas’ lecture:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Market Failure (Definition according to Hasnas):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>The market is full with transactions that happen simultaneously. There are unregulated voluntary as well as regulated voluntary transactions. However, the market failure occurs when the good outcome(s) of these transactions affect negatively third parties. Advocates of the MF often mention the following examples when the “market fails;” air pollution, deforestation, water contamination to name a few. Economists call these consequences of market forces “negative externalities”; while lawyers call them “negative social transactions.” Therefore, MF happens when:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Negative Social Transactions or Negative Externalities > Benefits produced by market transactions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Law:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>According to Hasnas, the US’ Law System has two forms: the Statutory Law and Common Law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Statutory Law: Governments create the general rules and the citizens must follow the statutory law. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hence, legislators write statutory laws; it reflects the political interest. It does not represent individual <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>interest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Common Law: It settles disputes. Property Law, Tort Law, Contract Law are parts of the Common <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Law. Common Law implies that there is a victim. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Real World Conception (Market + Law):<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hasnas expresses that in the real world market and law meet in one place. This place should be the Common Law rather than Statutory Law. Hasnas proceeds to explain in detail his interpretations of market and law as follows: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Market: Voluntary transactions regulated by customs, ethics plus common law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Law: Legislation is the regulation of voluntary transactions by the state to serve the politically dominant interest plus the common law. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>John Hasnas describes the need for a self-correction of the market through the Common Law Regulatory Process (CLRP). Professor Hasnas describes the CLRP in this way:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Exercise the degree of care that a reasonable person would use to avoid causing harm to others by <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>his/hers actions.” (Hasnas’ Lecture PP Slide)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">According to Hasnas, if you deny the claim listed above you deny Common Law. Its denial constitutes an abuse on others. People can an always will be able to regulate themselves without the intervention of the government. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 170.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">----------------------------------------End of Notes----------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"></span>I believe that Hasnas insights on the MF and its invalidity give us a different approach to the subject. The law approach is a fascinating tool to analyze policies. The understanding of the significance of Common Law and its use constitutes a strong tool to demonstrate the Failure of the MF argument. During, Hasnas lecture I could not help myself but to think in the words of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Kirzner">Israel Kirzner</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kirzner says the following:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">“Efficiency for a social system means the efficiency with which it permits its individual members to achieve their individual goals.” (Kirzner 1963)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kirzner expresses that inefficiencies may occur when the means of achieving a goal it is inconsistent with the goal itself. So the question, is the Market Failure a valid argument? I agree with Kirzner and Hasnas the Market Failure argument FAILS to demonstrate itself. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-56475895618209147532010-10-01T19:07:00.008-04:002010-10-02T17:32:50.615-04:00Was it a Coup d'etat?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">On September 30th, 2010, Quito the capital of Ecuador was in shock by the police riots that took place at the Regimiento Quito 1 (Police Headquarters in the North side of the city). The police was (and still might be) unhappy with a new law for the public sector. This law, the police thought, would cut their bonuses and promotions. However, in reality the benefits still there but paid differently. The controversy and conflict took place when President Correa tried, mistakenly and wildly, to confront the crowd.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Police men gathered at the Regimiento Quito 1 Thursday morning, they burned tires and declared themselves on strike. President Rafael Correa went to the Police Headquarters hoping he could calm the police force and get them back to work. However, things were about to take a wrong turn. As Correa, from a window, tried to convince the police that this law will not take away their labor benefits; police men chanted in favor of Lucio Guitirrez, Ecuador's former President and Correa's opponent. Correa could not take the pressure from the police and he lost it. He removed his necktie and unbuttoned his shirt Superman style. Correa told the crowd "if you want me, here I am," implying he did not fear for his life. The situation went from unsafe to unsafer. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Correa's security crew tried to get the President away from harms way. But any effort was in vain, a tear-gas bomb exploded right next to Correa's face. Correa walked, wearing a gas-mask and using a cane, to the Police Hospital located right next to the Headquarters. He was treated for a swollen knee that went under surgery last week and breathing problems due to the tear-gas used by police. While Correa was in the hospital he never stopped giving orders to his ministers, government, and military. On the streets the mood was different. Businesses, shopping centers, banks, schools got closed to prevent looting due to the lack of police force on the streets.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Around 2 PM the nation went under state of siege or emergency. According to article 165 of Ecuador's Constitution;</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> "165. The President can suspend or limit citizens rights of inviolability of residence, inviolability of correspondence, property, freedom of information, freedom social gathering, freedom of transit, in terms in which the Constitution points out." </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Following the declaration of state of emergency, all TV and Radio channels had to broadcast the signal produced by Ecuador TV (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.ecuadortv.ec/ecu.php?c=43"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">ECTV</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) a state-run entity. Ecuador's citizens and the international community were at the expense of the information given by Correa's government. All information given by ECTV, not surprisingly, came onto the broadcast one-sided. It was Correa and his government in charged of orchestrating the information. Information that made it look like a coup d'etat was on its way. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Correa went public from the Police Hospital using Ecuador TV a couple hours after he checked in. He told reporters that he was a victim of a "cowardly attack." He sent a message to everybody by saying "this is a coup attempt" and "they (police men) are trying to get to my room and attack me...</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">But, forget it. I won't relent. If something happens to me, remember my infinite love for my country, and to my family I say that I will love them anywhere I end up." (</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><a href="http://us.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/09/30/ecuador.violence/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">CNN</span></span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">)</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, was it a coup d'etat? </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Doris Solis, who is a </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">president's policy coordination minister, said "this is not a coup." Solis mentioned that the military supported Correa and he was their commander in chief. (</span></span></span><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/09/30/protesting-police-throw-ecuador-chaos/"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">FOXNEWS</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">). </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A coup d'etat implies that there is a declaration to oust the president and to replace him/her with someone else. However, it never happened in Ecuador. In history most coups, the people who want to overthrow a government are supported by the military, or it is the army the rebel group. Yesterday, the military expressed his support to Correa and his government. (It is important to mention that Correa has always been in good terms with the military. Unlike the police, Correa has increased the salaries of high ranked army officials.) What took place in Ecuador, it was a illegitimate strike by police forces that thought that their bonuses and promotions were taken away by the new law. Also what happened on September 30th was an act of reckless committed by Correa when he decided to confront the police. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Correa never stopped governing Ecuador. Even though, he was "practically captive," as he mentioned to reporters. He kept on commanding the military, leading his ministers and secretaries, and no one stopped him, not even the police. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday was a horrendous day in Ecuador's history. It was the </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">straw that broke the camel's back. It was the consequence of how Correa governs Ecuador. Correa has been in power since 2007 and he has never stopped being arrogant and despot. He has applied an abuse of power at all levels without taking into account the comments and suggestions from opposition. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">After Correa was rescued from the Police Hospital; he went to Palacio de Carodelet, President's home. There, he was received by his supporters in the Plaza de la Independencia. While Correa spoke to his supporters back in the hospital a bloodshed took place. The armed fight between army and police lasted about a hour. The bloodshed's outcome was 6 dead and 193 wounded. It was a fight among Ecuadorean citizens, and Correa was celebrating with his supporters. This is by far Correa's regime worst event, yet. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Finally, here is </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Juan Fernando Carpio, Economics Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, gives a great yet sarcastic example of the conflict between the police and Correa's government;</span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 16px; "><div style="text-align: justify;"><span title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">"My plan for today: I want to raise my popularity in the building so I'm going to ask them to lower the salaries of guards. If they complaint, I am going to stand by their post guards and provoke them. Then w</span></span></span><span title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">hen they retain me until my mom to comes get me, I will ask for solidarity from other neighborhoods. When i</span></span></span><span title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> leave them ... </span></span></span><span title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I will get the guards from the next door building to fight the guards in my building. </span></span></span><span title=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Then I will throw a party with friends to recognize my courage."</span></span></span></div></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOwpnpQoccM&feature=related">Video</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px; font-size: medium;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-73920945181160127912009-06-03T15:01:00.005-04:002010-10-01T22:57:28.731-04:00Subjective Value through Non-Austrians<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">James Buchanan in his book The Reason of Rules(10.2.9) states:<br /></span><blockquote><a href="http://www.econlib.org/library/Buchanan/buchCv10c2.html#Ch.%202,%20The%20Contractarian%20Vision"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The individual is the unique unit of consciousness from which all evaluation begins. Note that this conception does not in any way reject the influence of community or society on the individual. The value structure of an isolated human being may be totally divergent from that of such a person described by membership in one or many social relationships. The presupposition requires only that societal or communitarian influences enter through modifications in the values that are potentially expressed by the individual and not externally. </span></a></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Armen Alchian and William Allen in </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Exchange-Production-Competition-Coordination-Control/dp/0534013201"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Exchange and Production: Competition, Coordination, and Control</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">:<br /></span><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Groups, organizations, communities, nations, and societies are best understood by focusing on the incentives and actions of their members. A business, union, or family may be formed to further some common interest of its members, but group actions are still the results of decisions of individuals. Therefore, do not ask, "Why does the U.S. government, or General Motors, or some union behave as it does?" Ask instead, "Why does the decision-maker decide as he does?"</span></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It is followed with some postulates that I list below:<br /></span><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For each person, some goods are scarce</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Each person desires many goods and goals</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Each person is willing to forsake some of an economic good to get more of other economic goods</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The more one has of any good, the lower its personal marginal valuation</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Not all people have identical tastes and preferences</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">People are innovative and rational</span></li></ol><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Value must be subjective otherwise a planned economy would be the easiest solution, but as Postulate 5 shows, tastes and preferences differ b/w individuals even b/w identical twins.</span>Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-41585581816565142822009-06-01T11:26:00.002-04:002009-06-01T11:59:42.893-04:00Value: Subjective or ObjectiveIs value objective or subjective?<br /><br />I am not sure this is much debated today as most economists agree that value is subjective.<br /><br />Objective value dictates that value is taken from the object. This would mean even if there were no one to purchase the apple; the apple still holds a certain value.<br /><br />Subjective value, on the other hand, is taken from man's use of the object. Using the apple as a reference, the apple holds a value only because it is scarce and someone can use it. It is therefore from the individual that the value is taken and not from the apple itself. The cost of producing the apple does not influence it's value except to the person who went through the action of producing the apple.<br /><br />There is then multiple amount of subjective values placed on an object as their could be numerous individuals who have use for it. Their value will allow them to bid on the item allowing those who value the object higher to be willing to give up more for it. If the producer values the object more than what others are willing to give, then he would not sell it.Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-82909423688029776332009-03-19T09:34:00.003-04:002009-03-19T11:52:29.935-04:00The Empiricist ClaimLast night, I was fortunate to lead the discussion.<br />I had tried to tackle the question, why we are the Austrian Knights and not the Smithian Souls.<br /><br />The debate Austrians find themselves with mainstream economists is not over economics persay but a philosophical debate.<br /><br />I am curious if when reading blog posts such as this <a href="http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2009/03/18/austrian-economics-a-response-to-boettke/">one </a>that claim Austrians don't like empirical data, do you get the same sense as I do? That this is not a debate over economics but of a philosophical nature that has long been in <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/rationalism-empiricism/">discussions</a>.<br />Found an easy to follow <a href="http://forums.philosophyforums.com/threads/kant-vs-hume-25694.html">Philosophy Forum on Kant vs Hume</a>.<br /><br />How can we best argue in this debate?Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-17562055930719056112009-03-04T22:12:00.002-05:002009-03-04T22:34:03.404-05:00Austrian Knights to Smithian SoulsTonight, Dan Klein had lead the discussion at the weekly Austrian Knights event.<br /><br />The main point, at least as I took it, is the need for students to study Adam Smith.<br />Adam Smith had begun with the Theory of Moral Sentiments. It is important to note that it is the questions of morality that Adam Smith begin with, but to say that if other economists do not begin with such questions, they are not doing economics is rather short.<br /><br />Economics is not the study of morals. We can not measure morals. It is only individual's making choices according to their preferences that help reveal the morality of the individual. This is not something that should be taken lightly. Morality and the study of ethics is a great assistance in learning about liberty, but they are not able to discuss economics. Economics defined famously by Lionel Robbins is "the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses." This is not the study of morals on society. Only value that an economist can use in their studies is that of price which unveils a load of information for that period of time.<br /><br />In the study of liberty, morality is essential as it answers many questions allowing each of us to comprehend why we strive so hard towards it. Communism attacks religion for the very reason that morality denies that government intervention is a worthwhile policy.<br /><br />Let us take from this event that we can not use morality to argue on economics, but we can and should study morality to discuss liberty. Read your SMITH!Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-57118369805280471192009-02-12T10:34:00.002-05:002009-02-12T10:50:16.976-05:00The People's Stimulus : What's your view?Michelle Muccio, the Rebel Economist has decided its time to say what we have all been thinking.<br />We don't need a stimulus plan, just give us our taxes back.<br /><br />Watch the video and let me know what you think?<br />If you like, send it to a friend and give us their take.<br />Leave comments on the video, and best of all, let us begin again our economic lessons for President Obama.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xV5Ulu86-TY&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xV5Ulu86-TY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-47569881399438313992009-02-11T08:52:00.004-05:002009-02-12T10:51:03.985-05:00Pete Boettke on Obama's StimulusOn the Austrian Economists blog, Professor Pete Boettke at GMU's Economics Department <a href="http://austrianeconomists.typepad.com/weblog/2009/02/how-corrupt-is-our-language-in-economic-discourse.html">responds to Obama's outlandish claims</a> during his first Presidential press conference.<br /><br />Boettke is not known for his short blog posts, but a well said rebuttal it is.<br /><br />President Obama, GMU is a short trip on the Metro away. You should make it out to one of Boettke's classes; perhaps you'll learn a thing or two.Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-6321849077265965092009-02-09T20:17:00.006-05:002009-02-09T21:49:05.665-05:00OBAMA needs to Learn Economics Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">"All things are subject to the laws of cause and effect." - Menger<br /><br />This is not philosophy but truth on causation.<br />Physics teaches us that energy is neither created nor destroyed.<br /><br />What do you think free market thinkers speak of when we discuss the market fluctuations?<br />Whenever there is an interference within the market, it will have to react in order to re-stabilize.<br />The more you interfere the more the market will have to fluctuate.<br /><br />What Obama does not understand, is that by the government not interfering within the market the individuals will not have halted. They will still be buying and selling. Their actions will be the cause that effects other's actions. This is how the market fluctuates.<br /><br />I would like someone to explain to me how this is philosophy, or does someone want to take the side of explaining how government action actually means individual citizens actions.<br />We act with or without governments actions. Our actions do not need government involvement for them to affect one another.<br /><br />Let us remember the lesson Henry Hazlitt wanted everyone to learn in his first chapter of Economics in One Lesson.<br /> "The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the con- sequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups."<br /><br />Part Two following shortly on "Government will create more jobs"</div>Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-43530320247709010332008-12-02T18:10:00.001-05:002008-12-02T18:48:51.194-05:00Mourning Beth HoffmanOn Monday, December 1st 2008, I got sad news. <a href="http://www.feeblog.org/fee/beth-hoffman/">Beth Hoffman</a> passed the way at the age of 58. For those who do not know who Beth was, she was the editor of The Freeman and longtime member of the prestigious group at <a href="http://www.fee.org/">The Foundation for Economic Education</a>. Beth was also a true fighter for liberty, but most importantly Beth was a great, inspiring, and captivating woman. <br /><br />I remember the time I met Beth at the Austrian Economics Seminar in the summer of 2007. Since that moment, Beth impressed me with her caring charisma. If you knew Beth, it seemed that anyone who went to a seminar, worked, or visited FEE was welcomed to her family. To Beth everyone counted, there were no favorites. <br /><br />I will have in mind the conversations that I had with her. I will keep in mind Beth’s believe in the pursuit of freedom and the importance of consistently encourage people to never cease in this battle. <br /><br />My prayers and thoughts go to her family, friends, and to FEE and its community. <br />R.I.P. Beth Hoffman. We will always remember you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-29259943100140108322008-11-24T08:24:00.007-05:002008-12-06T18:43:09.622-05:00Wisdom from the Gossip CrowdLast week, Dan Klein had met with a group of students on a draft of his recent paper. During the discussion he had raised a question that all students with the love for liberty usually ask themselves , "How come I get it? How come all these other people I know get it, but the everyday citizen does not get it?" The "it" being government intervention within our personal lives being more harmful and not as efficient as the market.<br /><br />Those in the room shared his agony with the question and for me coincided with the question, "<a href="http://idunois.blogspot.com/2006/05/who-to-follow-heart-or-mind.html">Why does the battered wife not leave her beating husband?</a>"<br /><br />The solution was simple when I sat around a table with my cousins and my wife and heard a discussion of a guy who felt he owned the world going out with other girls and yet his girlfriend stays by him. When the remark was made that his girlfriend was stupid for staying by him, I heard the words that made me understand why people still don't get "it". <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >"</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >She believes she can change him</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" >.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"</span></span><br /></span><br />That was it; so simple and yet so profound. Most people believe that the government has problems, they will agree on this and will even have claims to back up this argument. Yet when push comes to shove, they side with government leaving all the liberty minded individuals to ask why. So why is it they stick by the government who never keeps their promise;<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204); font-style: italic;"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">they believe that they can change it</span></span></span>. Perhaps they don't trust<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>the market because they don't feel that they can impact the market in any form compared to the measure of impact they can have within government.<br />What do you think? Or should we commend such a spirit of hope?Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-19877836749768051602008-11-10T16:05:00.003-05:002008-11-10T17:03:38.596-05:00The Need for Government or Anarchy?Mises and Friedman are in agreement "<span style="font-style: italic;">The consistent liberal is not an anarchist.</span>"<br />To Mises and Friedman it is a rather simple argument: How do you enforce your rules upon society to protect your property, your life, and your liberty without a government?<br />Mises' explained the need for government with ease:<br /><blockquote><a href="http://mises.org/liberal/ch1sec7.asp">"Life in society would be quite impossible if the people who desire its continued existence and who conduct themselves accordingly had to forgo the use of force and compulsion against those who are prepared to undermine society by their behavior. A small number of antisocial individuals, i.e., persons who are not willing or able to make the temporary sacrifices that society demands of them, could make all society impossible. Without the application of compulsion and coercion against the enemies of society, there could not be any life in society.<br />We call the social apparatus of compulsion and coercion that induces people to abide by the rules of life in society, the state; the rules according to which the state proceeds, law; and the organs charged with the responsibility of administering the apparatus of compulsion, government."</a></blockquote>Their main questions is, what are the chances of everyone agreeing upon the said terms in a voluntary society with no government? What guarantees are in place to make sure that later generations do not choose against those very terms?<br /><br />As much as they opposed government with the notion the market is more proficient than the government in most tasks, both intellectual greats, Mises & Friedman, conclude that life could not function without some sort of coercion, albeit a constrained coercion.<br /><br />Is the market a better enforcer than the government? Can we not apply the same questions they had asked about life without a government to life with a government? What guarantees individuals agree to the terms? Let us take in mind that the market is not capable of extending its might through coercive social programs such as the government.Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3481837529675752476.post-70249148181447040712008-11-05T15:29:00.001-05:002008-11-05T15:38:26.400-05:00Moral Man in an Immoral WorldMises had written, "There is a world of difference between a man who risks his life and property for a good cause and the man who sacrifices them without benefitting society in any way."<br /><br />Now which should we believe that politicians fall under?<br />Which should economists fall under?<br /><br />Mises picks up again with, "Everything that serves to preserve the social order is moral; everything that is detrimental to it is immoral."<br /><br />Would most citizens view austrian economists as the first or the latter off of this statement?<br />and government?<br /><br />Is then perception reality or just a faux pas?Ian Dunoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10488129608396550503noreply@blogger.com0