Politics Thread: President Javier Milei - From Decree of Necessity and Urgency (DNU) to Today

[Petey]

Milei's ideas are better and he is moving much faster. Look at how quickly the budget was balanced. I do think it will be different if locals can stick with it, and that is the rub.

I didn't know much about Argentina but now that I am here I have read about the history of the country. It is remarkable! In some ways it reminds me of the USA being one of the richest countries in the world and we have to be careful not to squander our position. I think the country was heading that way before this election.

It is difficult for me to understand how people can make the argument that socialism is the better solution. I did not know about all of these austerity measures. We ask people what they think of Milei and just about everyone we talk to is favorable. Especially the lower income tier which surprised me. Every taxi driver and uber driver we had all spoke very positively of him.

One thing I am surprised is the number of foreign rideshare drivers.

 

[daveholman]

I don't understand why some of you love Milei so much. We have gone through these boom and bust cycles before. This seems like no different.

But it is fundamentally different. For 100 years now Argentine Presidents have thought their job was to deliver government largesse to their constituents, at the expense of *the other side*.
None have thought getting government out of the way was the answer. Milei does, and is acting on it. And it's working so far.
Obviously you can't reverse 100 years of mismanagement in a year. But you can change the direction.

 

[Betsy Ross]

I didn't know much about Argentina but now that I am here I have read about the history of the country. It is remarkable! In some ways it reminds me of the USA being one of the richest countries in the world and we have to be careful not to squander our position. I think the country was heading that way before this election.

It is difficult for me to understand how people can make the argument that socialism is the better solution. I did not know about all of these austerity measures. We ask people what they think of Milei and just about everyone we talk to is favorable. Especially the lower income tier which surprised me. Every taxi driver and uber driver we had all spoke very positively of him.

One thing I am surprised is the number of foreign rideshare drivers.

Many of the rideshare drivers are from Venezuela.

But it is fundamentally different. For 100 years now Argentine Presidents have thought their job was to deliver government largesse to their constituents, at the expense of *the other side*.
None have thought getting government out of the way was the answer. Milei does, and is acting on it. And it's working so far.
Obviously you can't reverse 100 years of mismanagement in a year. But you can change the direction.

Agree! Most people who complain about him expect magic overnight. I don't think that is realistic. You can't turn around 100 years in 1 year. Many expats don't like him because Argentina got expensive but this is necessary. I actually benefited more from socialism and a strong blue dollar but I know this will be better in the long run.

 

[earlyretirement]

It is good to see President Milei admit when he makes a mistake. I mentioned what a mistake it was and how he was sticking his foot in his mouth when he was badmouthing China during the campaign. I posted how he would do a 180 degree on this and he did. I hope he learns other lessons.

I also posted how there was no way they would get rid of the peso or dollarize the economy anytime soon. That also played out.

Milei’s learning curve

Milei’s learning curve should take note from his predecessors: too much orthodoxy or unorthodoxy leads to trouble.

www.batimes.com.ar

 

[earlyretirement]

But it is fundamentally different. For 100 years now Argentine Presidents have thought their job was to deliver government largesse to their constituents, at the expense of *the other side*.
None have thought getting government out of the way was the answer. Milei does, and is acting on it. And it's working so far.
Obviously you can't reverse 100 years of mismanagement in a year. But you can change the direction.

Correct. Many people expect things to get solved overnight and you can't undo decades and decades of mismanagement and fix things overnight. It will take at least a decade to really fix this mess. The first year was painful but each subsequent year should get easier and easier. At least that is the hope.

 

[FuturoBA]

It is good to see President Milei admit when he makes a mistake. I mentioned what a mistake it was and how he was sticking his foot in his mouth when he was badmouthing China during the campaign. I posted how he would do a 180 degree on this and he did. I hope he learns other lessons.

I also posted how there was no way they would get rid of the peso or dollarize the economy anytime soon. That also played out.

Milei’s learning curve

Milei’s learning curve should take note from his predecessors: too much orthodoxy or unorthodoxy leads to trouble.

www.batimes.com.ar

That's awesome that he admits to his mistakes. Rarely do we see a politician or president make such admission. The best leaders aren't the ones who don't make mistakes, but the ones who can error correct. No one can always have the correct answer, and many times it's on the journey one finds it out. Much respect.

 

[Betsy Ross]

That's awesome that he admits to his mistakes. Rarely do we see a politician or president make such admission. The best leaders aren't the ones who don't make mistakes, but the ones who can error correct. No one can always have the correct answer, and many times it's on the journey one finds it out. Much respect.

Agree. Everyone makes mistakes. But most don't admit it. I'm sure more mistakes will be made just like any politician. I never understood the China rhetoric but glad he changed course on that. We will need a lot of countries to pull out of this mess including China.

 

[Blockchain]

Milei's ideas are better and he is moving much faster. Look at how quickly the budget was balanced. I do think it will be different if locals can stick with it, and that is the rub.

This was in Fortune Magazine.

Javier Milei’s free-market shock therapy to transform Argentina’s economy gets huge endorsement as sudden growth rebound seen​

Javier Milei's free-market shock therapy to transform Argentina's economy gets huge endorsement as sudden growth rebound seen

Moody's upgraded Argentina one notch to Caa3 from Ca and boosted its outlook to positive from stable.

fortune.com

Argentina Wins Upgrade from Moody’s in Boost for Milei

(Bloomberg) -- Argentina’s credit rating was raised by Moody’s Ratings, which said the government’s efforts to stabilize its finances has decreased the likelihood it will renege on debt obligations.Most Read from BloombergWhat Happened to Hanging Out on the Street?Vienna Embraces Heat Pumps to...

finance.yahoo.com

 

[Larry]

Now Milei is trying to copy Trump building walls! 🤣

Milei plans to build Argentina-Bolivia border wall, citing crime

Salta Province plans to build short fence near the Bolivian border as part of a crackdown on drug-trafficking and contraband.

www.batimes.com.ar

 

[Jenn]

Now Milei is trying to copy Trump building walls! 🤣

Milei plans to build Argentina-Bolivia border wall, citing crime

Salta Province plans to build short fence near the Bolivian border as part of a crackdown on drug-trafficking and contraband.

www.batimes.com.ar

That doesn't sound like that big of a wall!

It seems like Milei is just sticking his foot in his mouth. I don't get why too involved in controversial topics. Doesn't he have enough to deal with the economy??? What does he have to gain by getting involved with hate speech?

Argentina’s opposition pushes back on Milei's hate speech - Buenos Aires Herald

The backlash against the president’s ‘anti-woke’ rhetoric continues beyond social media in the form of draft bills and criminal complaints

buenosairesherald.com

 

[Spend Thrift]

That's awesome that he admits to his mistakes. Rarely do we see a politician or president make such admission. The best leaders aren't the ones who don't make mistakes, but the ones who can error correct. No one can always have the correct answer, and many times it's on the journey one finds it out. Much respect.

I don't think Milei admits to many mistakes. Maybe China which was obvious and Argentina needs them but seems like he is just making more and more mistakes. I do not think that things will end up well with Caputo. He will probably have to resign again.

I am ok with prices not being as cheap as when I moved to BA in 2023 but things are so out of reality now. My maid went from charging 3,000 pesos per hour to jumping up to 5,000 pesos to now wanting 9,000 pesos per hour. Then I caught her stealing cleaning supplies so I had to fire her. Basic cleaning supplies and paper towels and toilet paper are more than I paid in Portland!

I am spending more and more time in Brazil now.

That doesn't sound like that big of a wall!

It seems like Milei is just sticking his foot in his mouth. I don't get why too involved in controversial topics. Doesn't he have enough to deal with the economy??? What does he have to gain by getting involved with hate speech?

Argentina’s opposition pushes back on Milei's hate speech - Buenos Aires Herald

The backlash against the president’s ‘anti-woke’ rhetoric continues beyond social media in the form of draft bills and criminal complaints

buenosairesherald.com

Agree! He goes to the World Economic Forum in Davos and went from giving a great speech last year to a bizarre one this year. As a gay male I thought Libertarians did not care what sexual orientation one has. The more time goes by the more I think he will blow it and people will grow tired of his antics.

Gay Argentine congressman files criminal complaint against Javier Milei

President made anti-LGBTQ comments during World Economic Forum speech

www.washingtonblade.com

All this hate speech is going to backfire on him. Blackrock CEO really changed his tune on Milei after that speech.

Milei’s Davos speech triggers political and social uproar

Argentine President Javier Milei generated a wave of criticism after his statements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he linked homosexuality with pedophilia. His words triggered the call for an “anti-fascist” march, which is expected to be massive in Buenos Aires and other cities of...

en.mercopress.com

 

[MikeYoung]

I don't think Milei admits to many mistakes. Maybe China which was obvious and Argentina needs them but seems like he is just making more and more mistakes. I do not think that things will end up well with Caputo. He will probably have to resign again.

I am ok with prices not being as cheap as when I moved to BA in 2023 but things are so out of reality now. My maid went from charging 3,000 pesos per hour to jumping up to 5,000 pesos to now wanting 9,000 pesos per hour. Then I caught her stealing cleaning supplies so I had to fire her. Basic cleaning supplies and paper towels and toilet paper are more than I paid in Portland!

I am spending more and more time in Brazil now.


Agree! He goes to the World Economic Forum in Davos and went from giving a great speech last year to a bizarre one this year. As a gay male I thought Libertarians did not care what sexual orientation one has. The more time goes by the more I think he will blow it and people will grow tired of his antics.

Gay Argentine congressman files criminal complaint against Javier Milei

President made anti-LGBTQ comments during World Economic Forum speech

www.washingtonblade.com

All this hate speech is going to backfire on him. Blackrock CEO really changed his tune on Milei after that speech.

Milei’s Davos speech triggers political and social uproar

Argentine President Javier Milei generated a wave of criticism after his statements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he linked homosexuality with pedophilia. His words triggered the call for an “anti-fascist” march, which is expected to be massive in Buenos Aires and other cities of...

en.mercopress.com

I like many of the things Milei is doing but don't know what he has to gain by some of the things he is saying. He should focus on fixing the economy. That is a 24/7 full-time job. I have some gay friends that supported him before but they are souring on him the longer he is in office.

 

[daveholman]

A bit of a difference between 200 meters of wall and 4000 kilometers of wall. I just saw a video clip of some Bolivian drug runners there, blaming Argentina for not giving them jobs...I'd fence them out, too

 

[MikeYoung]

A bit of a difference between 200 meters of wall and 4000 kilometers of wall. I just saw a video clip of some Bolivian drug runners there, blaming Argentina for not giving them jobs...I'd fence them out, too

Yeah I saw that. But will 200 meters really make much difference at all?

 

[daveholman]

Yeah I saw that. But will 200 meters really make much difference at all?

IDK. But it's not to keep people out, it's to funnel people through a checkpoint. Replacing a low fence smugglers currently just hop over.

 

[Betsy Ross]

IDK. But it's not to keep people out, it's to funnel people through a checkpoint. Replacing a low fence smugglers currently just hop over.

It can't hurt. If people really want to get into Argentina they will do it. Same as the USA. It's impossible to stop everyone but the idea is to make it more difficult.

 

[Uncle Wong]

I don't think Milei admits to many mistakes. Maybe China which was obvious and Argentina needs them but seems like he is just making more and more mistakes. I do not think that things will end up well with Caputo. He will probably have to resign again.

I am ok with prices not being as cheap as when I moved to BA in 2023 but things are so out of reality now. My maid went from charging 3,000 pesos per hour to jumping up to 5,000 pesos to now wanting 9,000 pesos per hour. Then I caught her stealing cleaning supplies so I had to fire her. Basic cleaning supplies and paper towels and toilet paper are more than I paid in Portland!

I am spending more and more time in Brazil now.


Agree! He goes to the World Economic Forum in Davos and went from giving a great speech last year to a bizarre one this year. As a gay male I thought Libertarians did not care what sexual orientation one has. The more time goes by the more I think he will blow it and people will grow tired of his antics.

Gay Argentine congressman files criminal complaint against Javier Milei

President made anti-LGBTQ comments during World Economic Forum speech

www.washingtonblade.com

All this hate speech is going to backfire on him. Blackrock CEO really changed his tune on Milei after that speech.

Milei’s Davos speech triggers political and social uproar

Argentine President Javier Milei generated a wave of criticism after his statements at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he linked homosexuality with pedophilia. His words triggered the call for an “anti-fascist” march, which is expected to be massive in Buenos Aires and other cities of...

en.mercopress.com

I don't think that Milei should focus on too many other issues besides the economy and financial mess. That is a full time job. I do think the world is too woke. I don't have any issues with gay or lesbian community and have several friends that are gay. But it doesn't look like the protest went too well for the other side. I saw a few X posts and laughed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1885770446093660341

 

[Betsy Ross]

This was a good listen.

Javier Milei - The Maverick President with Robert Marstrand

Maverick of the Year

jeremymckeown.substack.com

 

[Surfer]

Argentina’s Deregulation Minister takes the chainsaw to laws and government ministries​

A race against time and still sounds like Argentina is a basketcase.

 

[Uncle Wong]

I am seeing people are starting to speak out against Milei and Caputo's economic plan. I just read that they fired Cavallo's daughter because her dad was speaking out against Milei. That seems petty.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1888975425679888869