Pedro Carreño hates capitalism but loves Louis-Vuitton

At last! A post that isn't about exams! Actually, it's about another subject in which you likely have no interest -- Venezuela. But keep reading to the end, because this one is pretty funny.

The Setup: As you likely know, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez Frías is pushing his country away from capitalism towards socialism. One of his big slogans is giving power to the people and similar populist rhetoric. He has made a big deal out of the fact that Venezuela imports most of its products, and a large percentage of its food, and he wants the country to be self-sufficient, ostensible so they can rid themselves of the North American imperialists. (I shan't delve into the legitimacy of these claims at the moment; suffice it to say that it's not so simple as that.) So Chávez and his ministers are always talking about Venezuelan-made products and Venezuelan-grown food.

The Video: Venezuelan Minister of the Interior and Justice Pedro Carreño, while giving an interview about the evils of capitalism, is asked by a reporter why he's wearing a Louis-Vuitton tie and Gucci shoes. Here's the video clip from Ud. Lo Vió (You Saw It), a show on the Venezuelan news channel Globovisión.



The Translation:

Pedro Carreño: The only way to justice is socialism, not capitalism. It's not that cannibalism that is in place in the United States . . .
Female Reporter (interrupting): And isn't it contradictory to speak of capitalism when you have a tie from Louis-Vuitton and shoes from [Gucci]?
Pedro Carreño (stumbling): I don't know, I . . . Of course, yes . . . It's not contradictory, because I would like for Venezuela to produce all of that, so I buy everything that is produced here, (resuming talking points) and not have to import 95% of the goods that we consume . . ..

The Commentary: This gave me a good chuckle. You don't see politicians caught being so flagrantly hypocritical very often. It was a very clever question for the reporter to ask. In fact, if you watch the video again, I think it's funny how all of the microphones simultaneously lean in to hear his response, and how one of Carreño's aides in the background can't help smiling a little at the question. There are other funny bits about the exchange that are a little more philosophical (such as the fact that Señor Carreño thinks producing luxury goods in your country means you have socialism), but the best part is just to see the look on his face when he gets that bombshell dropped in his lap. Most Venezuelans that have money dress very well, with a cosmopolitan mix of American and European fashion. I think most government officials would have a hard time giving up the pieces of their wardrobe from Milan, New York, or Paris.

Via Instapundit.