Argentina's Middle Class is Fed Up

[Valin]

Amnericas Quarterly :

Janie Hulse Najenson

9/14/12

 

Thousands of people took to the streets across Argentina on September 13 to protest generalized insecurity, heavy handed state intervention and a looming threat of constitutional reform that could pave the way for the re-election of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in 2015. Temperatures have hit a boiling point after a very long simmer heated by years of government-denied inflation, nationalizations, import restrictions, and now talks of constitutional reform.

 

(Snip)

 

The presidential power couple, Nestor and Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, were politically compensated for the comeback and amassed considerable power and wealth during the first decade of the millennium. It now appears the credit was misplaced as Argentines once again pine for economic stability, safety and security, and rational governance –despite continued strong commodity prices!

 

(Snip)

 

Adding insult to injury, the Kirchner government denies the over 25 percent inflation affecting the country since about 2004. Consumers are dizzy and concerned. Their potential for savings has been eroded by run-away prices and a drastically weakened peso. One older woman said to me recently that it reminds her of the 1980s under President Raúl Alfonsín when prices were changing constantly, in some cases before you made it to the check-out counter.

 

(Snip)

[clearvision]

Hmmmm, coming to a country near you soon?

[Valin]

Hmmmm, coming to a country near you soon?

 

You said it...I didn't....I thought it thought.

 

The old world XXth century) is dying. The only question is...what will replace it?