Rusted Sky

Vuitton-clad Venezuela minister spouts socialism | Oddly Enough | Reuters

CARACAS (Reuters) - A video of a Gucci- and Louis Vuitton-clad politician attacking capitalism then struggling to explain how his luxurious clothes square with his socialist beliefs has become an instant YouTube hit in Venezuela.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Pedro Carreno was momentarily at a loss for words when a journalist interrupted his speech and asked if it was not contradictory to criticize capitalism while wearing Gucci shoes and a tie made by Parisian luxury goods maker Louis Vuitton.

"I don't, uh ... I ... of course," stammered Carreno on Tuesday before regaining his composure. "It's not contradictory because I would like Venezuela to produce all this so I could buy stuff produced here instead of 95 percent of what we consume being imported."

The video clip (www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDsdXkY4UlE) had been viewed more than 15,000 times on Thursday, a day after it was posted on the YouTube Web site.

Dude, you actually have to, like, have people produce consumer goods. And they won't produce high-quality stuff if there's no return for the effort expended.

And under socialism, that effort doesn't get a payback. So don't worry - the luxury consumer goods will still be available to you, and you'll be able to lecture the masses on just how good they'd have if if they'd only listen to you.

After all, you deserve the good stuff because of your position, right?

J.