Government Price Controls Causes Toilet Paper Shortage In Venzuela

Remember when Hugo Chavez died, and our friends on the left were quick to eulogize him talking about all the hard work he did to make Venezuela a better place?

Well, here’s a glimpse into the legacy left behind by the socialist strong man. Things are so great in Venzuela, getting toilet paper is a problem:

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — First milk, butter, coffee and cornmeal ran short. Now Venezuela is running out of the most basic of necessities — toilet paper.

Blaming political opponents for the shortfall, as it does for other shortages, the embattled socialist government says it will import 50 million rolls to boost supplies.

That was little comfort to consumers struggling to find toilet paper on Wednesday.

“This is the last straw,” said Manuel Fagundes, a shopper hunting for tissue in downtown Caracas. “I’m 71 years old and this is the first time I’ve seen this.”

One supermarket visited by The Associated Press in the capital on Wednesday was out of toilet paper. Another had just received a fresh batch, and it quickly filled up with shoppers as the word spread.

“I’ve been looking for it for two weeks,” said Cristina Ramos. “I was told that they had some here and now I’m in line.”

This is what happens when you restrict capitalism. America is a bountiful land of plenty because free people are allowed to exchange goods and services freely with relatively little interference from the government.

Of course, in that equation, some get left out for various reasons. But under socialism, the government tries to make all things evil by controlling the economy. The end result is, whether we’re talking about food or toilet paper or health care, shortages and suffering.

Except, there’s usually not shortages or suffering for the rich and/or politically well-connected. They usually make out ok. Ironically, while socialism is sold as being the ideology of the common man, it’s the common man that gets hurt the most.