A Tale of Two Republics
Plus, Javier Milei's 10-Point Plan for the liberation of Argentina...
War, children
It’s just a shot away
It’s just a shot away...
Love, sister
It’s just a kiss away
It’s just a kiss away...
~ Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones (1969)
Joel Bowman, with today’s Note From the End of the World...
Over the past couple of weeks, two very different presidents, in North and South America, faced their respective Congresses – and more importantly... their citizens – to deliver two very different State of the Union addresses.
In one proud republic, north of the Rio Grande, the speech fell from the trembling lips of the commander in chief of the most powerful military the world has ever known...a political insider who has been lurking in the Deep State swamp for half a century...a “known known,” as another such creature once described their scaly genus.
In the other, equally noble republic, down here on the banks of the Rio de la Plata, the address was given by a notable political outsider, a Hayek-quoting libertarian who names his dogs after his favorite economists, who defies the embarrassingly infantile “left vs. right” paradigm, and who speaks in sentences full and clear.
Oh, and who was once a singer in a Rolling Stones cover band.
By way of a little background, for new and “advanced” readers alike...
A Tale of Two Republics
Here in Argentina, down at the fin del mundo, we find a nation reeling after a hellish, 75-year experiment in Big Government, Central Planning and Cradle-to-Grave Nanny Statism.
This is a country with double digit monthly inflation (262% p/a)... remnants of the failed money-printing shenanigans of the recently ousted Peronist regime, which had prevailed in 10 of the last 14 general elections.
With the poverty rate approaching 60%, Argentina is a nation nearing the very nadir of socialism’s wretched cycle, with only Cuba, Venezuela and a handful of basketcase ‘sh!tholes’ further down that reliable chain of misery that collectivist policies ultimately and invariably heaps upon long-suffering citizens.
It is a nation that, having experienced first hand the havoc of state control, thirsts for liberty... for a free press... free markets... free minds and free people.
Hence the election of an “outsider”... someone who refers to the parasitic insiders as a “political caste,” and who knows how to wield a chainsaw.
Meanwhile, up north, to borrow a phrase from another famous economist, there is still “plenty of ruin left in a great nation.”
Founded on sound principals of limited government, free markets and unalienable, individual rights, the United States of America rose from the ranks of colonial outpost to become the greatest economic engine room on the planet, a beacon of hope for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, a torch of liberty and inspiration for those at home and around the world.
As a youngster growing up on the eastern shores of Australia, we often looked out across the vast Pacific Ocean in wonder and amazement, imagining the distant land of milk and honey that produced all our favorite movies, music, technology, culture... and so much more. (When we did finally venture ‘Stateside,’ in our late teens, we regularly embarrassed friends and acquaintances with shameless, wide-eyed enthusiasm. “Look, a yellow school bus, just like in the movies!”)
Mission Creeps
Of course, nothing lasts forever in this life... including the vitality of even the mightiest empire. As the pre-Socratic philosopher, Heraclitus, had it: Change is the only constant. And so the wheel turns...
Today, the intractable mission creep of the state appears set on quashing everything that made America the land of opportunity that it once was. (Just this morning we read that Mr. Biden will be appointing a taskforce of federales to monitor prices. He should take a look south of the border to see how poorly that worked out for the Cubans, Venezuelans and Argentines!)
And so, while the United States is on top of the world right for now... and Argentina far, far below... recent events may portend a reversal of trends. Which brings us back to the Tale of Two Republics...
In his recent address to el Congreso, Argentine President Javier Milei told lawmakers, who have attempted to stall his budget cuts and program of mass deregulation, that he has no intention of backing down.
“If you look for conflict, you will have conflict,” he declared.
“Our convictions are unalterable. We must reduce the size of the state to its indispensable minimum, and purge it of privileges for politicians and their friends [...] The last 20 years have been an orgy of public spending.”
To that end, Sr. Milei proposed a simple, 10-point plan, known as the ‘Pacto del 25 de Mayo’ (The May 25 Pact). A blueprint for a liberated economy, it read (translated):
‘El Pacto’
The inviolability of private property.
Non-negotiable fiscal balance.
The reduction of public spending to historic levels, around 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product.
Tax reform to reduce the tax burden, simplify the lives of Argentines and promote trade.
Redistribution of federal taxes to put an end to the current extortionist model.
Commitment of the provinces to advance the maximization of the country's natural resources.
Modern labor reform to promote formal employment.
Pension reform that makes the system sustainable, respects those who have contributed and allows those who prefer to subscribe to a private pension system to do so.
Structural political reform to modify the current system and realign the interests of the representatives with the represented.
An opening up to international trade, so that Argentina can once again become a global market player.
It is commonly said that “freedom is not free,” that liberty is hard won and easily lost, and that the greatness of a nation rests not in the coercive power of its state, but in the cherished rights of its citizens. Republics in Americas North and South are today testifying to these timeless truths.
The wheel turns. Change endures. And the world watches on...
Stay tuned for more Notes From the End of the World...
Cheers,
Joel Bowman
P.S. As always, a special thanks to our dear members whose subscriber dues make this work possible. (Hmm… honest folks paying voluntarily for a good or service they value in a free and fair market…and without state coercion. Imagine that!)
If you are not already a member, but you appreciate the non government-funded work we do here in these Notes, kindly consider joining our growing community here today…
If you keep writing such articles that project a new found hope and opportunities, I may have to consider taking up residence in Argentina!
Joel, a while ago you added a fragment (The Vibe) from the Australian film "The Castle".
I thought I should see it and last week I managed to find the film in the hidden places of the internet.
And, oh boy, that movie did not disappoint. What a classic! Hilarious! Serenity!
Thank you very much and keep coming with these gems. Including your writings, of course.