Socialist manufacturing in action

There has been a lot of joking about General Motors since its financial bailout -- wags now call it Government Motors. But for a real glimpse at what manufacturing under a socialist style of government can be like, pick up the Nov. 28, 2009 issue of The Economist, and note the description of Venezuelia's Venirauto's car factory.

According to the Economist, the plant has a production capacity of 25,000 vehicles a year but struggles to produce even 10,000. There are 30,000 customers on a waiting list for cars. And the socialist government refuses to negotiate a collective labor contract. Employees recently stopped work over poor pay and poor safety conditions.

You can find the Economist article here: http://www.economist.com/world/americas/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14969108