Who do you prefer as a leader: Ron DeSantis, or Hugo Chavez?

[Dr. MB]

"You can't compare Chavez to DeSantis," Maria said, her voice rising in anger. "Chavez was a true revolutionary, a man who dedicated his life to fighting for the poor and the oppressed. DeSantis is just a puppet of the rich and powerful, a tool of the capitalists."

Her friend, a quiet and reserved man named Carlos, looked at her skeptically. "But DeSantis has done some good things, Maria. He has lowered taxes and created jobs. He has also stood up to the federal government and defended the rights of the states."

Maria shook her head, her eyes flashing with determination. "But what about the people, Carlos? What about the millions of Venezuelans who were lifted out of poverty under Chavez? What about the healthcare and education programs that he implemented, the land reforms that he carried out? DeSantis has done nothing for the working class, nothing for the poor. He only cares about enriching his friends and allies."

Carlos sighed and looked away. He knew that Maria was passionate about her beliefs, but he also knew that she was blinded by her loyalty to Chavez. He respected her, but he did not agree with her.

"But Chavez was not perfect, Maria. He made mistakes, he committed abuses. He was not a saint, he was a human being. And DeSantis is not a monster, he is a politician. He may not be perfect, but he has done some good things for the people of Florida."

Maria's face turned red with rage. "No, he has not," she said, shaking her fist at Carlos. "He has only helped his rich friends."

Carlos shrugged his shoulders and looked away, not really knowing how to respond. After a moment, he changed the subject. "I was in Bolivia a couple of months ago. I met President Morales when he came to visit my family. He's a great man, Maria. He cares about the poor. He gave away food and money to the homeless, and he tried to put an end to capitalism."

Maria laughed. "So what are you saying, Carlos? You believe that DeSantis is going to give away food and money to the poor? What about all the children in the public schools and hospitals? Are you saying that DeSantis has nothing to do with those things? Well, I am very sorry to tell you that you are wrong. DeSantis will continue to take away the little that the poor have."

Carlos nodded slowly. He knew that Maria was right. DeSantis had no intentions of helping the poor. The only thing that DeSantis cared about was furthering his own ambitions and increasing his wealth.

[Dr. MB]

Maria shook her head, her eyes flashing with determination. "But what about the people, Carlos? What about the millions of Venezuelans who were lifted out of poverty under Chavez? What about the healthcare and education programs that he implemented, the land reforms that he carried out? DeSantis has done nothing for the working class, nothing for the poor. He only cares about enriching his friends and allies."

96% of Venezuelans are in poverty (76% in extreme poverty) as a direct result of Chavez’s policies. There has been perhaps no greater enemy of the poor of any leader of any country in the past decade.

You’ll have to take that up with Maria.