Who stands the tallest in defending the American way of life around the world? Who pledges to promote traditional values, fight for the rights and freedoms of the unborn, and uphold free-market capitalism? Who promises to tackle bloated government sectors, cut deficit spending, reduce public budgets, and significantly lower inflation?
Who publicly refers to the Chinese Communist government as “assassins”?
One leader is doing all of these things, and his political background is quite unconventional.
When it comes to advocating for American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the most astonishing individual is none other than Javier Milei, the newly elected President of Argentina in December 2023.
There is no denying that Milei’s campaign style is often bombastic and full of energy. His political rhetoric is sensational, and his persona is fiery and easily provoked. In these aspects, he has been likened to former President Donald Trump, earning the moniker “The Argentine Trump.”
Like President Trump, during his presidential campaign, Milei faced ridicule and disdain from intellectuals, political elites, media figures, and nearly all other elites. However, unlike President Trump, Milei is not a business mogul; rather, he comes from an academic background, having served as an economics lecturer and engaged in scholarly activities.
Undoubtedly, the external perception of Milei’s outspoken and dramatic personality contributes to some extent to his image, providing ample material for his critics and satirists. In widely circulated videos, people often see Milei with disheveled hair, raising his voice, making enthusiastic gestures, and even wielding a chainsaw at a political gathering to illustrate how he plans to cut government spending and salaries, reduce inflation, and shift the economy from socialism towards free-market capitalism.
Many have issued dire warnings about the potential consequences of electing Milei.
Numerous international observers argue that Milei’s liberal policies will further lead Argentina towards destruction. Given the country’s severe inflation in recent years, these warnings are largely unfounded and lack substance. Unfortunately, kicking the habit, whether it be addiction to money or drugs, inevitably results in painful but temporary withdrawal symptoms.
Now, Milei has silenced some of his critics, at least in terms of delivering on his campaign promises to reduce government spending and combat inflation in Argentina. He has slashed government salaries and public subsidy programs, immediately improving the federal fiscal situation. In six months, the inflation rate dropped to single digits for the first time. The fiscal deficit has also been reversed, achieving a surplus for four consecutive months. President Milei’s liberal policies led to a first-quarter fiscal surplus of 275 billion pesos (approximately 3 billion dollars), the first surplus in 16 years.
However, Milei’s policies have not been without pain. Infrastructure projects funded by the federal government saw a sudden 42% decrease in March, resulting in an estimated 50,000 construction workers losing their jobs between November of last year and February. With the continued economic contraction in Argentina, more job losses are expected. As deficit spending is reined in, this is a normal and anticipated consequence, yet it remains quite painful for Argentine workers. Yes, withdrawal symptoms are real.
As the economy contracts, prices will continue to decrease, unemployment will persist for a while, and the distortions caused by inflation will be flushed out of the economy. Once prices and supply-demand relationships normalize, there will be potential for economic expansion.
Clearly, Milei’s embrace of free-market capitalism, individual freedom and responsibility, Judeo-Christian values, and fiscal accountability is not unfounded; these are the values, ideals, and practices that the United States has brought to the world, making it a beacon of freedom and opportunity.
The new liberal Argentina is likely to hold high the torch that President Milei firmly grasps, a torch that socialists in many other parts of the world are striving to extinguish. Yes, President Milei is full of personality and bold in his actions, but so what? His economic policies and traditional values are correct. He has the potential to turn around Argentina’s decline and showcase a possible future to the world, which we are currently only scratching the surface of.
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