While preparing for his Latin American tour, the president suggested that Cuban communism should die with Fidel Castro. Bush also took a shot at his nemesis in the region, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, for his recent decision to nationalize some private industry: “I strongly believe that government-run industry is inefficient and will lead to more poverty.” Before passing judgment, remember that our president is, in fact, an expert on government inefficiency.


Reuters:

WASHINGTON — Communist rule of Cuba should end when ailing leader Fidel Castro dies, President Bush said as he prepared for a Latin American tour this week.

Bush’s trip is widely seen as offering a counterpoint to the populist appeal of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose nationalization plans he criticized.

“I strongly believe that government-run industry is inefficient and will lead to more poverty,” Bush said when asked about Chavez’s nationalizations.

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